Baldwin County Marriage Records Search

Baldwin County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Milledgeville, the county seat. This court issues marriage licenses and keeps certified copies of all marriage certificates on file. If you need to look up a past marriage or apply for a new license in Baldwin County, the Probate Court is your first stop. The office sits on North Wilkinson Street in the heart of downtown Milledgeville. Staff there can help you search for records, print copies, and walk you through what you need to get a marriage license in Baldwin County.

Baldwin County Probate Court

The Baldwin County Probate Court handles marriage licenses, death certificates, and firearm licenses among other services. The office is in Room 109 at 121 North Wilkinson Street in Milledgeville. This is the central location for all marriage record requests in Baldwin County. The staff can issue a new license, search for an old marriage record, or give you a certified copy of a marriage certificate. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, and you should not need to wait long on most days.

Milledgeville is the county seat and sits in the middle of Georgia. It served as the state capital from 1804 to 1868. The Probate Court has handled marriage licenses here for many generations. If you are doing family research or need a record for legal reasons, the Baldwin County Probate Court is the right place to start.

Marriage License Fees in Baldwin County

Baldwin County charges standard Georgia rates for a marriage license. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60, the fee falls between $56 and $77 at the standard rate. The exact amount depends on county surcharges. If both people finish a premarital education course of at least six hours, the fee drops to between $16 and $37. You must show the certificate at the Baldwin County Probate Court when you apply.

The class must have been done within 12 months of the application date and led by a licensed professional or active clergy member, per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. Cash is always a safe bet for payment. Call (478) 445-4004 to find out what other payment methods the Baldwin County Probate Court takes. Most Georgia probate courts do not accept personal checks.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each at the Baldwin County Probate Court.

How to Get Baldwin County Marriage Records

Go to the Probate Court at 121 North Wilkinson Street in Milledgeville. Tell the clerk the names and date of the marriage. If the record is on file, a certified copy costs $10. The clerk can print it while you wait. This is the quickest way to get a marriage record from Baldwin County.

If you can not visit in person, try sending a written request by mail. Include the full names of both people, the date of the ceremony, a money order for $10, and your return address. Send it to the Baldwin County Probate Court at 121 North Wilkinson Street, Room 109, Milledgeville, GA 31061. Allow a few weeks for the office to process and mail back the copy. You can also call (478) 445-4004 to check if a record is on file before you send money.

The Baldwin County Probate Court website has info about services and hours.

This page from the Baldwin County website gives you an overview of court services and how to reach the office. Check it before your visit for any updates to hours or procedures.

Baldwin County Marriage License Steps

Both people must show up at the Baldwin County Probate Court at the same time. This is a firm rule under Georgia law. You can not have just one person come in. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Both must be at least 18 years old per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. If someone is 17, they need proof of legal emancipation, and at least 15 days must have gone by since the court order.

Prior marriages must be documented. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. Papers in a language other than English need a certified translation. Once the Baldwin County Probate Court clerk checks everything and collects the fee, you get the license that day. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can hold the ceremony right away.

• Both people present in person
• Valid photo ID
• Social Security numbers
• Divorce decree or death certificate if applicable
• Premarital counseling certificate for fee reduction

Note: The license expires after 60 days if the ceremony does not take place.

After the Wedding in Baldwin County

The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. They have 30 days to return it to the Baldwin County Probate Court. Once it is filed, the court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. This process takes about 30 days from when the signed license reaches the office.

If you need the certificate sooner, go to the Probate Court in Milledgeville after the license has been returned. The clerk can print a certified copy for $10. You will need this for name changes, updating government IDs, or dealing with insurance and banks. The Baldwin County Probate Court is the only local source for your marriage certificate after the wedding.

State Records for Baldwin County Marriages

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Baldwin County marriage falls in that period, you can request a copy from the state office. The fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Extra copies are $5 each. Mail requests go to the State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for mail responses.

For marriages in Baldwin County before 1952 or after 1996, only the Probate Court in Milledgeville has the files. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds microfilm copies of old marriage records from many counties. The Council of Probate Court Judges has standard forms and general information about how Georgia probate courts work. You can also use the Georgia Probate Records online portal to fill out a marriage application ahead of your visit to Baldwin County.

Nearby Counties

Baldwin County is in central Georgia. These counties share a border with Baldwin. Contact their Probate Courts if you need a marriage record from outside Baldwin County.