South Fulton Marriage Records

Marriage records for South Fulton are kept by the Fulton County Probate Court in Atlanta. South Fulton is one of the largest cities in Fulton County, with more than 112,000 people. The Probate Court issues all marriage licenses and stores the records once a couple gets married. If you need a copy of a South Fulton marriage record, you go through the same Fulton County office that serves Atlanta and all other cities in the county. Both new licenses and old record copies come from this one court.

Where to Get a South Fulton Marriage License

South Fulton residents get their marriage license at the Fulton County Probate Court. The court is in downtown Atlanta, not in South Fulton itself. You do not have to live in Fulton County to apply here. Georgia law lets any couple get a license from any county in the state. But since South Fulton is in Fulton County, this is the most common place for local couples to go.

Both people must show up in person. You need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk will not issue a new license without proof the old marriage ended. South Fulton couples should plan for the drive into downtown Atlanta, as traffic can add time to the trip.

Note: Georgia does not require a blood test or a waiting period to get a marriage license in South Fulton.

South Fulton Marriage License Fees

The cost of a marriage license in South Fulton depends on whether the couple takes a premarital education course. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1, couples who finish an approved course pay less. The course must be at least six hours and cover topics like conflict resolution and finances. A certificate from the course provider proves you did it.

The fee breakdown for South Fulton marriage licenses is:

• Standard license without counseling: $56 to $77
• Reduced license with premarital counseling: $16 to $37
• Certified copy of a marriage record: $5 per copy
• Search fee for older records: $10

You pay at the Probate Court when you apply. Most couples pay the standard fee. The savings from counseling can be $40 or more, so it is worth looking into if you have the time. Cash and money orders are the most common ways to pay. Call ahead to ask about other forms of payment before you drive in from South Fulton.

How to Search South Fulton Marriage Records

There are a few ways to find marriage records for South Fulton residents. The Fulton County Probate Court keeps records of all licenses it has issued. You can search in person at the court or use online tools to look up records from home. The method you pick depends on how old the record is and what kind of copy you need.

The Fulton County Probate Court website at fultonprobatega.org has info on how to request records. You can also search Georgia probate records online through georgiaprobaterecords.com, which covers many counties including Fulton. This site lets you look up marriage records by name and date.

For a look at how the Fulton County Probate Court site appears when searching for South Fulton marriage records, see the screenshot below from fultonprobatega.org.

The site shows the court's main page with links to the marriage license section and the forms you need. It is a good starting point if you want to see what South Fulton marriage records are on file.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from 1952 to 1996. You can ask for these through the DPH vital records office. Records before 1952 and after 1996 are only at the county Probate Court. For very old records, the Georgia Archives may have what you need.

Note: South Fulton marriage records from after 1996 are only available at the Fulton County Probate Court, not the state health department.

Marriage License Requirements in South Fulton

Georgia law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. These rules apply to all South Fulton couples and anyone else who applies in Fulton County. The main statutes are O.C.G.A. §19-3-1, which defines who can marry, and O.C.G.A. §19-3-2, which sets age limits and other conditions.

To get a marriage license in South Fulton, you must meet these rules:

• Both people must be at least 18 years old (no minors can marry in Georgia)
• Both must appear at the Probate Court together
• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
• Social Security number is required
• If divorced, show the final decree with the case number and date
• If widowed, bring the death certificate of the former spouse

The license is good for 60 days from the date the court issues it. If you do not get married within that window, it expires and you have to start over. There is no waiting period in Georgia, so you can use the license the same day you get it. Many South Fulton couples pick it up and have the ceremony that same week.

Certified Copies of South Fulton Marriage Records

After a marriage takes place, the signed license goes back to the Probate Court. The court records it and the document becomes a permanent record. You can then ask for certified copies at any time. These copies are official and carry the court seal. They work for legal matters like name changes, insurance updates, and immigration cases.

To get a certified copy of a South Fulton marriage record, you can visit the Fulton County Probate Court in person or send a request by mail. The certified copies page on the court website explains the steps. The fee is $5 per certified copy. You also pay a $10 search fee if the court has to look up the record for you.

Mail requests should include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and a check or money order made out to the Fulton County Probate Court. Send it to 136 Pryor St. SW, Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303. In-person requests at the court are often faster. You can usually get a copy the same day if the record is on file.

For general info on applying for a marriage license in Georgia, the state portal at georgia.gov has a helpful overview. It covers all the basics and links to county-level resources. You can also find standard probate forms at gaprobate.gov.

State Marriage Records for South Fulton

The Georgia Department of Public Health kept a central file of marriage records from 1952 through 1996. If the marriage you are looking for took place in that time frame, the DPH may have a record on file. This is true even if the couple lived in South Fulton or anywhere else in the state. The search fee is $10, and extra copies are $5 each.

You can request these records online, by mail, or in person at the DPH office. Visit dph.georgia.gov for full details on how to submit your request. Keep in mind that the DPH does not have records from before 1952 or after 1996. For those years, go to the Fulton County Probate Court for South Fulton marriage records.

Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, the Probate Court judge must keep a record of every marriage license issued. This means there is always a local record on file in Fulton County, even if the state copy is missing or not available. South Fulton couples can rely on the Probate Court as the main source for their marriage records.

Nearby Cities

South Fulton sits in the southern part of Fulton County. Several other cities are close by, and many share the same Probate Court for marriage records. These nearby cities may have resources or services that are useful if you live on the border between them and South Fulton.

• Atlanta
• East Point
• Union City

Fulton County Marriage Records

South Fulton is part of Fulton County, and the Fulton County Probate Court handles all marriage license filings for the area. The county court serves more than a dozen cities along with unincorporated areas. For more details on the full county system, fees, forms, and related records, see the Fulton County marriage records page.

View Fulton County Marriage Records