Ben Hill County Marriage Records
Ben Hill County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Fitzgerald, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses, keeps completed certificates, and provides certified copies of both. If you want to search for a marriage record in Ben Hill County or need to apply for a new license, the Probate Court at 111 South Sheridan Street is the place to go. You can call ahead at (229) 426-5137 to check on hours and what you need to bring. Ben Hill County handles all marriage license applications in person, and both parties must show up together to get a license.
Ben Hill County Quick Facts
Ben Hill County Probate Court
The Probate Court is the sole office that handles marriage records in Ben Hill County. Judge Melinda Marsh Stembridge oversees all marriage license applications and record requests. Staff at the court can help you apply for a new license, look up an old record, or get a certified copy. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome for most services.
You can visit the Ben Hill County Probate Court website to learn more about available services and forms before your visit to Fitzgerald.
The court also handles firearm licenses, traffic citations, and other probate matters. But marriage licenses and marriage records make up a large share of daily work at the Ben Hill County Probate Court.
| Address | 111 South Sheridan Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1104, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 |
| Phone | (229) 426-5137 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Judge | Honorable Melinda Marsh Stembridge |
Marriage Licenses in Ben Hill County
To get a marriage license in Ben Hill County, both people must come to the Probate Court in Fitzgerald at the same time. You cannot send someone in your place. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 sets the rules for how couples apply. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of age. A driver's license or passport works fine. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse.
The fee for a marriage license in Ben Hill County is $76 without premarital counseling. With a certificate from a qualified counselor, the fee drops to $36. That is a $40 savings for couples who complete at least six hours of premarital education. The counseling must come from a licensed therapist, counselor, or active clergy member. You can check with the Ben Hill County Probate Court on what proof they accept.
Once you pay and sign, the license is good for 60 days. If your ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires and you must start over. There is no waiting period in Georgia. You can marry the same day you get the license in Ben Hill County.
Note: As of July 1, 2019, no one under age 17 can marry in Georgia under any circumstances.
How to Search Ben Hill County Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records in Ben Hill County a few different ways. The fastest is to call the Probate Court at (229) 426-5137. Give the clerk the names and an approximate date. They can check and tell you what they find. For records from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health may also have a copy on file.
Many Georgia counties now use the Georgia Probate Records online portal for marriage applications. This system lets you fill out forms online before your court visit. Some counties post recorded marriage data there as well. Check whether Ben Hill County participates by calling the court. Online access for marriage records in Ben Hill County can save time if you live far from Fitzgerald.
For older records going back to the early 1800s, the Georgia Archives in Morrow holds historical marriage documents. These cover the time before the state began central record keeping in 1952. Ben Hill County marriage records from that period may be on microfilm at the archives.
Ben Hill County Marriage Record Fees
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each at the Ben Hill County Probate Court. You can order them in person or by mail. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 1104, Fitzgerald, GA 31750. Include a check or money order and a note with the names and date of the marriage. Allow three to five days for the court to process and mail your copy.
The state also charges fees for marriage record searches. If you go through the Georgia Department of Public Health, the search fee is $10 and that is not refundable even if no record is found. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Mail requests to the state office in Atlanta take eight to ten weeks. In-person visits to a county vital records office can sometimes get same-day results.
Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60, each county sets its own license fee within a range. Ben Hill County charges $76 for a standard license. With proof of premarital education per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1, that drops to $36.
Marriage Requirements in Ben Hill County
Georgia law spells out who can get a marriage license. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can marry only if they have been emancipated by a court. At least 15 days must pass after the emancipation order. The older person in that situation cannot be more than four years older per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36.
There is no residency rule for getting married in Ben Hill County. Georgia residents can apply at any county Probate Court in the state. If neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. So if you plan to marry in Fitzgerald, the Ben Hill County Probate Court is where you go.
Both people need to show valid ID at the Ben Hill County court. The following forms of ID are accepted:
- State driver's license or ID card
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID
- Birth certificate (original or certified)
- Immigration papers
If a prior marriage ended in divorce, bring the final decree. If a spouse died, bring the death certificate. Documents not in English need a certified translation. The Ben Hill County clerk will review everything before the license is issued.
After the Wedding in Ben Hill County
The officiant who performs the ceremony must sign the marriage license. Then they return it to the Ben Hill County Probate Court within 30 days. Once the court records it, the marriage becomes official in the county files. The couple gets a certified marriage certificate by mail, usually within 30 days of recording. This is the document you need for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal matters.
If the license is not returned to the court, the marriage may not be on record. That can cause real problems later. Make sure your officiant knows they have to file it at the Ben Hill County Probate Court in Fitzgerald. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, a valid marriage in Georgia needs both a proper contract and recording according to law.
Georgia Marriage Record Resources
Beyond the local court, a few state offices can help with Ben Hill County marriage records. The State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. They can issue certified copies for marriages recorded during that time. The search fee is $10 and processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail.
The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms used across all 159 Georgia counties, including Ben Hill County. If you need a marriage application form or other court paperwork, their site has downloadable versions. The Georgia Archives is another resource for historical marriage records that go back well before 1952.
Note: Marriage records from after August 1996 are only at the county Probate Court where the license was issued.
Cities in Ben Hill County
Fitzgerald is the county seat and largest city in Ben Hill County. All marriage license applications go through the Probate Court in Fitzgerald. There are no cities in Ben Hill County with a population over 25,000, so all marriage records are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
If you live near the border of Ben Hill County, check which county you are actually in before you apply for a marriage license. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays.