Search Barrow County Marriage Records

Barrow County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Winder, Georgia. The court issues new marriage licenses and stores all past marriage certificates. Whether you need to apply for a license or search for an older record, the Barrow County Probate Court handles it all. The office is on Barrow Park Drive and serves residents of Winder, Statham, Auburn, and the rest of the county. You can complete part of the process online before your visit, which can save time at the counter. This guide covers how to search records, get copies, and apply for a license in Barrow County.

Barrow County Probate Court Details

The Barrow County Probate Court sits at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Suite D in Winder. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage record files. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage license applications are accepted until 4:00 PM, so plan to arrive before that cutoff. The office handles a steady stream of marriage license requests, but the staff is usually able to get you through the process in under an hour.

Barrow County is in northeast Georgia, part of the growing Atlanta metro area. The county has seen a lot of growth in recent years, and the Probate Court stays busy. Still, service is generally quick. If you have all your papers in order, the whole license process at the Barrow County Probate Court goes smoothly.

Barrow County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Barrow County is $56 without premarital counseling. That is on the lower end of the Georgia range. If both people take a qualifying premarital education course, the fee drops to just $16. The course must be at least six hours long and done within 12 months of the application date, as set by O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1.

Barrow County takes cash, credit cards, and debit cards. A service fee applies when you pay with a card. Money orders and certified checks also work. Personal checks are not accepted at the Barrow County Probate Court. Make sure you have the right form of payment before you go to Winder.

Certified copies of Barrow County marriage records cost $10 each. You can order copies when you visit the court or by mail.

How to Get Barrow County Marriage Records

To search for a marriage record in Barrow County, visit the Probate Court in Winder. Give the clerk the names and the date of the marriage. The fee for a certified copy is $10. Staff will look it up and print the record while you wait.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Barrow County Probate Court at 652 Barrow Park Drive Suite D, Winder, GA 30680. Include the full names of both people, the date of the ceremony, your return address, and a money order for $10. The office will search their files and send a copy back to you. Allow a few weeks for processing and mailing.

The Barrow County marriage info page has details on what you need and how the process works.

This page from the Barrow County website shows the current rules, fees, and steps for getting a marriage license. It also explains what documents you need to bring.

Online Application for Barrow County

Barrow County uses the Georgia Probate Records online system for marriage license applications. You fill out the application on the website before you go to the courthouse. This saves time at the counter. The application stays in the system for up to 30 days. Both people still have to come to the Barrow County Probate Court in person, but with the online form already done, the visit is shorter.

The Barrow County Probate Court requires two forms of ID. A picture ID plus a birth certificate or passport meets this rule. This is stricter than some other Georgia counties that only ask for one form of ID. Make sure both people bring the right papers. If you were married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate will work.

The Barrow County Probate Court page has hours, contact info, and links to other court services.

Barrow County Marriage License Rules

Georgia law requires both people to be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. Both must appear in person at the Barrow County Probate Court at the same time. No exceptions. Each person needs a valid photo ID and a second form of identification. Social Security numbers are also needed on the application.

If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. All foreign documents need a certified English translation. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, each person must be of sound mind and free from any prior un-dissolved marriage. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can hold the ceremony the same day you get the license from the Barrow County Probate Court. The license is good for 60 days.

Note: Arrive before 4:00 PM for marriage license services at the Barrow County Probate Court.

After the Ceremony in Barrow County

The officiant signs the license after the wedding. They have 30 days to return the signed license to the Barrow County Probate Court. Once it is filed, the court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. This takes about 30 days. If you need the certificate sooner, go to the courthouse in Winder after the license has been filed and get a copy for $10.

State Records for Barrow County Marriages

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For a Barrow County marriage in that range, you can ask the state for a copy. The fee is $10 and non-refundable. Mail requests go to the State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Expect 8 to 10 weeks. In-person visits can get same-day results.

For anything before 1952 or after 1996 in Barrow County, only the Probate Court in Winder has the records. The Georgia Archives in Morrow may have microfilm copies of older files. The Council of Probate Court Judges has standard forms and general info about Georgia probate courts.

Nearby Counties

Barrow County is in northeast Georgia near the Atlanta metro area. These counties border Barrow County and have their own Probate Courts for marriage records.