Find Marriage Records in Macon
Macon marriage records are on file at the Macon-Bibb County Probate Court on Mulberry Street in downtown Macon. The city of Macon and Bibb County consolidated into one government in 2014, so all marriage license services fall under a single probate court. Whether you need a new license or a copy of an old record, this is your one stop. The court keeps records of every marriage filed in Bibb County and can help you search for past records or apply for a license on the same visit. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours.
Macon Quick Facts
Macon Marriage License Office
The Macon-Bibb County Probate Court is in Room 207 of the county courthouse at 601 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. The building is right in the center of downtown Macon. Street parking and nearby lots are available. The probate court is on the second floor. Check in at the front desk and tell staff you are there for a marriage license. They will direct you from there.
| Court | Macon-Bibb County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 Mulberry Street, Room 207, Macon, GA 31201 |
| Phone | (478) 621-6494 |
| Website | maconbibb.us/probate-court |
Call (478) 621-6494 before your visit to check current office hours. The staff is helpful and can answer questions about what you need to bring for your Macon marriage license application. The office handles a steady flow of license requests, especially on Fridays and before holidays. Going earlier in the week or earlier in the day tends to mean shorter waits.
The Georgia.gov marriage license page covers the statewide process that also applies in Macon.
This state site explains the general steps for getting a marriage license anywhere in Georgia, including Macon.
Applying for a Marriage License in Macon
Both people must come to the Macon-Bibb County Probate Court together. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 requires both applicants to be present. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. If you had a prior marriage, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate that shows the previous marriage ended.
The application takes about 30 to 45 minutes in Macon on a normal day. Staff checks your IDs and enters your information into the system. You sign the application and pay the fee. The court issues the license the same day in most cases. There is no waiting period at all in Georgia. Your Macon marriage license is ready to use as soon as you leave the courthouse.
The Macon-Bibb marriage license page has local details on the process and current fee information.
After the ceremony, the person who performs it signs the license. You then return the signed license to the Macon-Bibb County Probate Court within 60 days. That filing creates the official marriage record. Without this final step, the marriage is not properly recorded in the Macon system. Do not forget to return the license. This is the step that many couples overlook, and it can cause problems down the road when you need proof of your marriage.
Macon Marriage License Fees
A marriage license in Macon costs $77 without premarital counseling. With a qualifying course, the fee drops to $56. O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets these amounts. The premarital education course must be at least six hours. It should cover things like communication, budgeting, and how to handle disagreements. Several churches and counseling centers in the Macon area offer approved courses.
The $21 discount is a nice perk. More than that, many Macon couples find the courses useful regardless of the fee savings. The courses give you tools and strategies before you start married life. If you are interested in the reduced fee, ask the probate court staff for a list of approved providers near Macon. Some courses are free through local churches.
Note: Fees at the Macon probate court may change. Always call (478) 621-6494 to confirm the current amount before your visit.
Getting Copies of Macon Marriage Records
If you need a copy of a marriage record from Macon, the Bibb County Probate Court is the first place to check. The court can issue certified copies of any marriage that was recorded in Bibb County. These certified copies work as legal proof of marriage for name changes, insurance claims, benefits applications, and other official purposes. Call the court at (478) 621-6494 to ask about the fee and turnaround time for copies.
For older Macon marriage records, you have other options. The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from 1952 through 1996 in their state files. Contact the DPH at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 679-4702. The search fee is $10 and copies cost $5 each. You can also order through the DPH marriage records page online.
The Georgia Probate Records portal is another way to search for Macon marriage records from your computer. And for very old records, the Georgia Archives may have records that predate the current court system. Coverage from the archives varies, but it is worth checking if you need a record from the 1800s or early 1900s.
This online search tool may include some Macon-Bibb County marriage records in its database.
Macon Marriage Requirements Under Georgia Law
The rules for getting married in Macon come straight from Georgia state law. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 defines who can marry. Both people must be 18 or older. Georgia removed all exceptions for minors, so there is no way around the age requirement. No blood test is needed. You do not have to be a Macon resident or a Georgia resident. Any couple can apply for a license at the Macon-Bibb County Probate Court.
After the license is issued, you have 60 days to hold the ceremony. If you do not use the license within that window, it expires. You would then need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. The ceremony can take place anywhere. It does not have to be in Macon or even in Georgia. But the signed license must be returned to the Macon-Bibb probate court that issued it.
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36, the officiant is responsible for returning the signed license to the court. Make sure your officiant knows this rule. Judges, ministers, and other authorized officials can perform the ceremony. If you want a friend or family member to officiate, they may need to get ordained or authorized first. The Macon probate court can tell you what qualifies.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
The closest qualifying city to Macon is Warner Robins, which is about 20 miles south in Houston County. Warner Robins residents get their marriage licenses from the Houston County Probate Court, not from Macon. If you live between the two cities, check your county of residence to find out which probate court you should visit for a marriage license.
Bibb County Marriage Records
Macon is the seat of the consolidated Macon-Bibb County government. The Bibb County Probate Court handles all marriage records for the area. For a full look at the county court, its services, fee details, and related resources, visit the Bibb County marriage records page.