Access Hinesville Marriage Records
Marriage records in Hinesville go through the Liberty County Probate Court. Hinesville is the county seat of Liberty County, so the courthouse is right in town. The city has about 36,583 residents, many of whom are tied to Fort Stewart, the large Army base nearby. The probate court handles every marriage license application and stores all official records for the area. Military families stationed at Fort Stewart often use this court for their marriage licenses. Whether you need a new license or a copy of an old record, the Liberty County Probate Court is where to start.
Hinesville Quick Facts
Liberty County Probate Court for Hinesville Marriage Records
The Liberty County Probate Court is at 112 N. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. Since Hinesville is the county seat, the courthouse is in the center of town. Walk-in service is available. The court also offers an online application option, which lets you start the process before your in-person visit. Call (912) 876-3635 for hours or questions.
| Court | Liberty County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 N. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313 |
| Phone | (912) 876-3635 |
| Online | Online application available |
Both applicants must appear at the court in person. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A driver's license, passport, or state ID all work. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse.
Military families at Fort Stewart make up a large share of Hinesville marriage license applicants. Georgia does not require state residency to apply for a marriage license. Active duty service members from out of state can get a license here with no extra steps. That makes the Liberty County court a popular choice for military couples.
How to Apply for a Hinesville Marriage License
The application process at the Liberty County Probate Court is quick. Both people come to the courthouse during business hours. You fill out the form together. The clerk checks your IDs and processes the application. Most Hinesville couples get the license that same visit. There is no appointment needed for standard walk-in service.
Georgia does not require a blood test or a waiting period. Your license is good right away. It stays valid for 60 days. Within that time, you hold the ceremony and the officiant signs the license. Then you return the completed document to the Liberty County Probate Court. That filing is what creates the permanent Hinesville marriage record.
The court offers an online application that speeds things up. You fill out the basics from home, then visit in person to show your IDs and sign the paperwork. This cuts down on time at the window and helps the court move through its line faster, especially on busy days.
Hinesville Marriage License Fees
The fee for a Hinesville marriage license is $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. With a qualifying course, it drops to $16 to $37. O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1 is the statute behind the discount. The course must last at least six hours and cover topics like communication and money management.
Here are the fees for Hinesville marriage records:
- Standard license: $56 to $77
- License with counseling certificate: $16 to $37
- Certified copy: $5 per copy
- Records search: $10
Churches and counselors in the Hinesville area offer approved premarital courses. Fort Stewart may also have resources for military couples. The savings on the fee are worth the time if you can fit the course into your schedule. Bring the completion certificate when you apply, and the clerk applies the discount on the spot.
Searching Hinesville Marriage Records
To find an existing Hinesville marriage record, the Liberty County Probate Court is the primary source. Visit the court and ask the clerk to search by name and date. The search fee is $10. If the record is on file, you can get a certified copy for $5.
The state website at georgia.gov provides a general overview of Georgia marriage licenses and links to county-level resources.
The state portal has information on requesting vital records across Georgia, which applies to Hinesville marriage records as well.
Online, georgiaprobaterecords.com covers many Georgia counties and lets you search by name. This can be a useful first step before visiting the courthouse. The Council of Probate Court Judges site has general probate information and links to forms.
The online probate records portal provides search tools that may include Liberty County records for Hinesville.
Hinesville Marriage Records From the State
The Georgia Department of Public Health kept centralized marriage records from 1952 through 1996. If the Hinesville marriage you need falls in that range, the DPH may have a record. The search fee is $10 and copies are $5 each. You can make a request through the DPH vital records page.
The DPH fee schedule shows costs for marriage record requests from the state health department.
For records before 1952, try the Georgia Archives. They hold older vital records from across the state. After 1996, marriage records are only available at the county level. For recent Hinesville marriage records, the Liberty County Probate Court is the sole source. Standard probate forms are available at gaprobate.gov if you need blank request forms.
Hinesville Marriage Records Requirements
Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 years old. Georgia does not allow anyone under 18 to marry. O.C.G.A. §19-3-1 lays out who may marry. You do not need to live in Hinesville or Liberty County. Georgia lets any couple apply at any county probate court regardless of where they live.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date the court issues it. If the ceremony does not happen within that period, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay the fee again. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, the probate court judge must keep a record of every license issued. This means Liberty County always has a local record on file for Hinesville marriages.
After the wedding, the signed license goes back to the court. Do not skip this step. It is what turns the license into a permanent marriage record. Without the return, the court has no proof the ceremony took place. Many Hinesville couples, especially military families who may be moving soon, handle this right away to make sure the record is on file before they relocate.
Nearby Cities
Hinesville is in southeast Georgia. The nearest qualifying cities are some distance away. Each has its own county probate court for marriage records.
- Savannah (about 40 miles east)
- Statesboro (about 60 miles northwest)
Savannah files through the Chatham County Probate Court. Statesboro goes through Bulloch County. If your address is in Liberty County, the Hinesville courthouse is your closest and most convenient option.
Liberty County Marriage Records
Hinesville is the county seat of Liberty County. The Liberty County Probate Court handles all marriage records for the area, including license applications and certified copies. For full details on the county court system, fees, forms, and services, see the Liberty County marriage records page.