Dunwoody Marriage Records Search
Marriage records for Dunwoody are on file at the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur. Dunwoody is a city of about 51,800 in the northern tip of DeKalb County, next to Sandy Springs and Brookhaven. Incorporated in 2008, Dunwoody does not operate its own Probate Court. All marriage license applications, record lookups, and certified copy requests for Dunwoody go through the county courthouse in Decatur. The DeKalb County Probate Court on McDonough Street is the one office that handles it all.
Dunwoody Quick Facts
Where Dunwoody Residents Get a Marriage License
The DeKalb County Probate Court handles all marriage licenses for Dunwoody. The court is in Decatur, the county seat. From Dunwoody, the drive is about 15 to 25 minutes south on I-85 or surface roads. Both people must appear in person to apply. No mail-in or online application is available for the license itself.
| Court | DeKalb County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 556 N. McDonough St., Suite 1100 Decatur, GA 30030 |
| Phone | (404) 371-2601 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | dekalbprobatega.com |
The DeKalb County Probate Court website covers marriage license services for Dunwoody and all county residents.
Check the site before your trip for current office hours and any scheduling requirements.
Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1, the Probate Court judge issues marriage licenses. Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test. Dunwoody couples can get their license and have the ceremony the same day. The license is good for 60 days from the issue date. If it expires before the wedding, you have to apply again with a new fee.
Dunwoody Marriage License Requirements
Georgia state law sets the rules. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-2, both people must be at least 18. There are no exceptions to this rule. O.C.G.A. §19-3-1 says marriage is a civil contract that both parties must enter freely. Close relatives by blood or adoption cannot marry under Georgia law.
Dunwoody residents going to the DeKalb County Probate Court should bring:
- Valid photo ID for each applicant (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security numbers
- Certified copy of final divorce decree if either party was married before
- Death certificate if a prior spouse is deceased
- Premarital education certificate for the lower fee (if applicable)
The DeKalb County Probate Court has a marriage license page with full requirements for Dunwoody and county residents.
Visit dekalbprobatega.com for the most current list of what to bring.
The standard license fee is $56. Couples who complete a premarital education course pay only $16. That is $40 less. The course must be state-approved and cover communication, financial planning, and conflict resolution. Bring proof of completion when you apply. There is no residency requirement in Georgia, so anyone can apply at the DeKalb County Probate Court no matter where they live.
How to Search Dunwoody Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records linked to Dunwoody in several ways. The fastest online method is the Georgia Probate Records website. It covers DeKalb County and lets you search by name. You get basic license details right away. Certified copies must come from the Probate Court in Decatur.
The DeKalb County government site also provides Probate Court information for Dunwoody and other county residents.
Visit dekalbcountyga.gov to learn more about how the county manages records.
In-person searches work well too. Go to the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur and ask the clerk to look up a record. Bring a name and an approximate date if you have one. The staff can search the system and make copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are valid for legal use. Call (404) 371-2601 before your visit.
Older records may be at the state level. The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from 1952 to 1996. The fee is $10 for the first copy and $5 for extras. Visit dph.georgia.gov to request one. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds records from before 1952.
Wedding Ceremonies for Dunwoody Couples
Once you have a license from the DeKalb County Probate Court, you need to have a ceremony within 60 days. The ceremony can happen anywhere in Georgia. It does not have to be in Dunwoody or DeKalb County. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers can officiate weddings.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the DeKalb County Probate Court within 30 days. This is what makes the marriage an official record on file. If the signed license is not returned, the marriage may not be in the county system. Dunwoody couples should always follow up with their officiant to be sure the paperwork gets filed.
The DeKalb County Probate Court may also offer civil ceremony services. Call (404) 371-2601 to ask about scheduling and fees. A courthouse ceremony is a quick option that some Dunwoody couples choose for its simplicity. You get married and the paperwork is handled all in one place.
Getting Copies of Dunwoody Marriage Records
Copies of Dunwoody marriage records are available from the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur. Certified copies have an official seal and work for legal purposes. You need them for name changes on a driver's license, passport updates, and insurance claims. Plain copies are fine for personal files. Call (404) 371-2601 to check current fees and ID rules.
State-level copies are also an option. Visit georgia.gov for general marriage license info. The Georgia Probate Court standard forms site has blank forms for requests. To order from the state vital records office, go to dph.georgia.gov. Mail orders take a few weeks to process.
Marriage records in Georgia are public. Anyone can request basic information about a Dunwoody marriage record. Certified copies may be restricted to the named parties, their legal representatives, or someone with a court order. Ask the Probate Court staff about access rules when you contact them.
Georgia Marriage Law for Dunwoody
All marriages in Dunwoody are subject to Georgia state law. Title 19 of the O.C.G.A. covers marriage. O.C.G.A. §19-3-1 defines it as a civil contract. Both parties must freely agree to marry. O.C.G.A. §15-9-60 gives the Probate Court authority over marriage licenses and vital records. In Dunwoody, that power belongs to the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur.
No residency rule applies. You do not need to live in Dunwoody, DeKalb County, or Georgia to get a license here. This is helpful for couples who live elsewhere but plan to have a wedding in the Dunwoody area. All other legal rules still apply, including the minimum age and the ban on marriage between close relatives.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Dunwoody sits at the northern edge of DeKalb County. It borders cities in both DeKalb and Fulton counties. Several nearby cities share the same Probate Court, while others have different county offices. Here are nearby cities with marriage records pages:
- Sandy Springs (Fulton County, separate court)
- Brookhaven (DeKalb County, same court)
- Chamblee (DeKalb County, same court)
- Atlanta (Fulton/DeKalb County)
- Tucker (DeKalb County, same court)
DeKalb County Marriage Records
Dunwoody is in DeKalb County. All marriage filings go through the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur. The county serves more than 760,000 residents across all its cities and unincorporated areas. For a full look at DeKalb County procedures, fees, and other resources, see the county page.