Access Valdosta Marriage Records

Marriage records in Valdosta are managed through the Lowndes County Probate Court. Valdosta is the county seat and largest city in Lowndes County, with about 55,700 people in south-central Georgia near the Florida border. The Probate Court issues new marriage licenses, keeps all past records on file, and provides copies to the public. Valdosta couples apply at the courthouse on Ashley Street in person, and some searches can also be done through online state tools.

Where to Get a Valdosta Marriage License

Valdosta residents get marriage licenses from the Lowndes County Probate Court. The office is in downtown Valdosta on Ashley Street. Both people planning to marry must show up in person. You cannot apply by mail or online. Bring your documents and the fee, and you can walk out with a license the same day.

Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1, the Probate Court judge issues all marriage licenses in the county. The license stays good for 60 days. If you do not have a ceremony in that time frame, you need to come back and apply again. There is no limit on how many times you can apply, but each time you pay the fee.

The courthouse is in downtown Valdosta and is easy to find. Ashley Street runs through the core of the city. Free parking is available near the building. The Probate Court staff can help you with the application when you arrive. Call (229) 671-2650 if you want to confirm hours or ask what to bring before you make the trip.

Valdosta Marriage License Requirements

Georgia law sets the rules for marriage licenses. These apply to Valdosta and every other city in the state. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-2, both people must be at least 18. No one under 18 can marry in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-1, marriage is a civil contract and both people must consent freely.

To apply at the Lowndes County Probate Court in Valdosta, bring:

• Government-issued photo ID for each person
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Certified divorce decree if either person was previously married
• Death certificate if a prior spouse has passed
• Premarital education course certificate for the reduced fee

The standard license fee in Valdosta is $56. If you take a state-approved premarital education course, the fee goes down to $16. That is a $40 savings. The course must cover communication, conflict management, and financial planning. Bring the completion certificate when you apply. No residency requirement exists. You do not have to live in Valdosta or Lowndes County to apply here.

How to Search Valdosta Marriage Records

There are a few ways to look up marriage records in Valdosta. Online tools make it possible to search from home. In-person visits give you access to certified copies and the full record.

The Georgia Probate Records website covers Lowndes County. You can search by name to find basic marriage license info. This is the easiest first step when you need to check if a record exists. Certified copies still require a trip to the Probate Court or a formal request.

The Georgia Probate Records portal is a good tool for searching Valdosta marriage records from home.

The portal covers Lowndes County and many other Georgia counties. Results show basic license data.

For older records, the Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from 1952 to 1996. The fee is $10 for the first copy and $5 for extras. Go to dph.georgia.gov to start a request. Records older than 1952 may be at the Georgia Archives in Morrow.

You can also visit the Lowndes County Probate Court in person to search for Valdosta marriage records. The clerk can look up records by name or date. Call (229) 671-2650 before you go. Certified copies are available right at the courthouse and work for all legal purposes. Plain copies for personal use are also an option.

Marriage Ceremony Options in Valdosta

After you get a license from the Lowndes County Probate Court, a ceremony must take place before the license expires. Georgia law gives you 60 days. The ceremony can be held anywhere in the state. It does not have to be in Valdosta.

Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, these people can perform a wedding in Valdosta:

• Any judge, including Probate Court judges and magistrates
• Ordained ministers, priests, and other clergy
• Persons authorized by their religious organization

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license. They have 30 days to return it to the Lowndes County Probate Court. Once the court gets the signed license, the marriage becomes an official record. If the license never comes back, the marriage may not appear in the county files. Valdosta couples should check with their officiant to make sure they will file the paperwork on time.

The Lowndes County Probate Court may also perform civil ceremonies. Call (229) 671-2650 to ask about times and any extra fees. Civil ceremonies at the courthouse are quick and simple. Some Valdosta couples prefer this for its convenience.

Getting Copies of Valdosta Marriage Records

Copies of Valdosta marriage records come from the Lowndes County Probate Court. Certified copies have an official seal. They work for name changes, legal proceedings, and insurance. Plain copies are good for personal files. Call (229) 671-2650 to ask about fees and what ID you need.

You can also use the Georgia vital records request page at georgia.gov to learn about the process statewide. For vital records from the state office, visit dph.georgia.gov to order copies by mail or online.

The state vital records request page at georgia.gov explains how Valdosta residents can order copies from the state level.

Mail requests take a few weeks to process, so plan ahead if you need a record by a certain date.

The Georgia Probate Court standard forms page has blank forms for various record requests. Marriage records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask for basic information. Certified copies may have some rules about who can get them. The Probate Court staff in Valdosta can tell you what applies to your situation.

Georgia Marriage Law for Valdosta

Georgia state law governs all marriages in Valdosta. The key rules are in Title 19 of the O.C.G.A. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-1, marriage is a civil contract between two people who freely consent. O.C.G.A. §15-9-60 gives Probate Courts authority over marriage licenses and related vital records. For Valdosta, the Lowndes County Probate Court holds this power.

There is no residency requirement. Anyone can apply for a license in Valdosta. This is useful for out-of-state couples who plan to marry in south Georgia. Valdosta sits close to the Florida border, so couples from northern Florida sometimes apply here. You still must meet all other legal requirements under Georgia law, including the minimum age rule and the ban on marrying close relatives.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

Valdosta is in south-central Georgia, far from the metro Atlanta area where most of the state's qualifying cities are located. The nearest qualifying cities with marriage records pages are some distance away:

• Albany (about 100 miles northwest, Dougherty County)
• Statesboro (about 150 miles northeast, Bulloch County)

For marriage records in the counties between Valdosta and these cities, check the county Probate Courts in those areas. Each Georgia county has its own Probate Court that handles marriage records.

Lowndes County Marriage Records

Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County. All marriage license filings go through the Lowndes County Probate Court on Ashley Street. The court handles records for all cities and communities in the county. For more on the full county process, fees, and additional resources, visit the Lowndes County marriage records page.

View Lowndes County Marriage Records