Find Bleckley County Marriage Records

Bleckley County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Cochran, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and stores all completed marriage certificates for the county. If you need a copy of a Bleckley County marriage record or want to apply for a new license, the Probate Court at 306 2nd Street SE is your destination. This small county in middle Georgia handles all marriage-related records at the courthouse. Call (478) 934-3204 to check hours and ask questions before your visit to Cochran.

Bleckley County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Cochran handles all marriage records for Bleckley County. This office issues new licenses, keeps signed certificates on file, and gives out certified copies. The court is at 306 2nd Street SE in Cochran. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Bleckley County is a smaller county in Georgia, but the Probate Court follows the same state laws and procedures as every other county. Staff at the court can walk you through the application process, answer questions about what ID to bring, and help you find old marriage records in Bleckley County. If you are not sure what you need, call the court first.

You can look up information about Bleckley County services on the Council of Probate Court Judges website, which provides standard forms used in all Georgia Probate Courts.

The council site has standard marriage forms that the Bleckley County Probate Court uses for license applications and other filings.

Marriage License Process in Bleckley County

Getting a marriage license in Bleckley County follows the standard Georgia process. Both parties must appear in person at the Probate Court in Cochran. You cannot send a friend or family member in your place. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or death certificate for the prior spouse.

Bleckley County charges standard Georgia rates for a marriage license as set by O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. The exact fee may vary slightly, so call (478) 934-3204 to confirm the current amount. Couples who complete at least six hours of premarital education with a qualified provider get a reduced fee under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The counseling must be done within 12 months before you apply. Bring the certificate to the Bleckley County court to get the discount.

The license is valid for 60 days once issued. Georgia has no waiting period. You can use the license the same day you get it in Bleckley County.

Search Bleckley County Marriage Records

To find a marriage record in Bleckley County, your best option is to contact the Probate Court. Call (478) 934-3204 and give the clerk the names and an estimated date. They can search the files and let you know what is available. You can also visit the court in Cochran during business hours for an in-person search.

The Georgia Probate Records portal is an online tool used by many Georgia counties. It allows couples to pre-fill marriage applications and, in some cases, search recorded marriage data. Check with the Bleckley County court to see if they participate in this system. For records from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health may have copies on file at the state office in Atlanta.

For Bleckley County marriage records from before 1952, the Georgia Archives in Morrow may have historical records on microfilm. These older records can help with genealogy work or legal matters involving historical marriages.

Note: Marriage records after August 1996 are only at the county Probate Court where the license was issued.

Bleckley County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available at the Bleckley County Probate Court. The standard fee across Georgia is $10 per copy, but check with the court for their exact charge. You can request copies in person in Cochran or by mail. Mail requests should include the full names, date of the marriage, and payment.

The state charges $10 for a marriage record search through the Georgia Department of Public Health. That fee is not refundable even if no record turns up. Extra copies from the state cost $5 each when ordered at the same time. Mail requests to the state take 8 to 10 weeks to process. In-person visits to a county vital records office are usually faster than going through the state for Bleckley County marriage records.

Bleckley County Marriage Requirements

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 says both people must be at least 18 to get married. A 17-year-old can only marry if emancipated by a court. Fifteen days must pass after the emancipation order. The older party cannot be more than four years older under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36. Both need to finish premarital education in that case. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia at all.

There is no blood test and no waiting period. If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can get a license at any county Probate Court. If neither party is a Georgia resident, you have to apply in the county where the wedding will happen. For a ceremony in Cochran, that means the Bleckley County Probate Court.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license. They must send it back to the Bleckley County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records it. Then the couple gets a certified marriage certificate by mail. This is the official marriage record in Bleckley County. Make sure your officiant knows the return deadline under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1.

Georgia Marriage Record Resources

Several state agencies can help if the Bleckley County Probate Court does not have what you need. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. The Council of Probate Court Judges posts standard forms used by all 159 county courts. The Georgia Archives has historical records going back to the early 1800s for many counties.

These resources can be helpful when the record you need is from outside the time period covered by the Bleckley County Probate Court. For most current and recent marriage records, the local court in Cochran is the right place to start.

Cities in Bleckley County

Cochran is the county seat and only city in Bleckley County. It is home to Middle Georgia State University. No cities in Bleckley County have populations over 25,000. All marriage license work and marriage record requests go through the Probate Court in Cochran.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Bleckley County. Make sure you know which county you live in before applying for a marriage license. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays.