Find Baker County Marriage Records

Baker County marriage records go back to 1875, making this one of the older record collections in southwest Georgia. The Probate Court in Newton handles all marriage license applications and keeps the county's marriage files. You can visit the court in person to search for records, get certified copies, or start the process of getting a new license. Baker County is a small rural county, so the office can often give you personal attention with your request. This page walks you through fees, requirements, and ways to get what you need from the Baker County Probate Court.

Baker County Probate Court

The Baker County Probate Court is at 167 Baker Place in Newton, Georgia. This is the only office in the county where you can apply for a marriage license or get copies of marriage records. The staff handles all probate matters, from marriage licenses to wills and estate cases. Baker County is one of the smallest counties in Georgia by population, so the office is not usually crowded. You can walk in and get help right away on most days.

The court has marriage records from 1875. That is over 150 years of records on file. If you are looking for a very old marriage record from Baker County, call ahead to ask if the specific year you need is in the system. Old books and ledgers may need extra time to search. Birth and death records at this office go back to 1930.

Baker County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Baker County costs $66. This is the standard rate without premarital counseling. If both parties complete a qualifying premarital education program, the fee drops to $26. That saves you $40. The course must be at least six hours long and done within 12 months of your application date, as required by O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. A licensed counselor, social worker, therapist, or active clergy member must lead the class.

Baker County accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, and Visa or MasterCard. Personal checks are not accepted. A credit or debit card may have a service charge added to the fee. Make sure you have the right form of payment ready when you go to the Baker County Probate Court. The fee is not refundable once you pay, even if you change your mind about the marriage.

Searching Baker County Marriage Records

You can search for marriage records from Baker County at the Probate Court in Newton. Give the clerk the couple's names and the date or year of the marriage. A certified copy is $10. Staff will look through the files and print a copy if the record is found. Since Baker County has records from 1875, there is a deep archive to search. Very old records may be in large bound books, and the clerk may need more time to find them.

The Baker County marriage license page is a helpful resource for current procedures and contact info.

This page from the Baker County website shows the details you need to apply for a license and what documents to bring. It is a good idea to check it before you visit.

For mail requests, send a letter with the names, marriage date, and a money order for $10 to P.O. Box 337, Newton, GA 39870. Include your return address. The Baker County Probate Court will mail you the certified copy if the record is on file. Allow a few weeks for processing.

Baker County Marriage License Process

Both people who want to get married must go to the Baker County Probate Court together. You can not apply by mail or online for the license itself. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 says both must be at least 18. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of legal emancipation, and 15 days must have passed since the court order. The older person can not be more than four years older than the 17-year-old.

If either person was married before, bring the certified divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. All papers not in English need a certified translation. The Baker County Probate Court clerk checks each document before the license is given out. There is no waiting period in Georgia. Once you have the license, the ceremony can happen that same day if you want.

• Both people appear together at the court
• Valid photo ID for each person
• Social Security numbers
• Proof prior marriage ended (if needed)
• Payment of $66 (or $26 with counseling)

The license is valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that time, the license becomes void and you must apply again at the Baker County Probate Court.

State Marriage Records for Baker County

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds some marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Baker County marriage you need falls in that range, you can request a copy from the state. The search fee is $10, and it is non-refundable. Extra copies cost $5 each. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. You can also go in person to the State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 for same-day results if the record is found.

For marriages that happened in Baker County before 1952 or after 1996, only the Probate Court in Newton has the files. The Georgia Archives may have microfilm copies of old Baker County marriage records too. The Probate Court standard forms page has blank forms used by all Georgia counties. The Georgia.gov marriage license guide walks you through the rules that apply in Baker County and all other counties.

Marriage Ceremonies and Baker County

After you get your license from the Baker County Probate Court, you can hold the ceremony anywhere in Georgia. Judges, ministers, and other clergy can officiate under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30. Some probate judges perform ceremonies too. Ask the Baker County Probate Court if the judge is available for weddings.

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Baker County Probate Court within 30 days. After that, the court records the marriage. The couple then gets a certified marriage certificate by mail in about 30 days. If you need it faster, visit the court in Newton once the signed license has been filed.

Nearby Counties

Baker County sits in southwest Georgia. If you need a marriage record from one of the surrounding counties, try the Probate Court in that area.