Search Burke County Marriage Records
Burke County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Waynesboro, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses, stores completed certificates, and provides certified copies to the public. If you need to search for a Burke County marriage record or apply for a new license, the courthouse on 6th Street in Waynesboro is where to go. Burke County is one of the largest counties in Georgia by land area, sitting along the Savannah River in east Georgia. Call (706) 554-3000 to check hours or ask what papers to bring for your marriage license in Burke County.
Burke County Quick Facts
Burke County Probate Court
The Burke County Probate Court is in the courthouse at 200 6th Street, Room 208, in Waynesboro. The mailing address is P.O. Box 803, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court handles all marriage license applications and maintains marriage records for the entire county.
Burke County has deep roots in Georgia history. It was one of the original counties created in 1777. That means the Probate Court may have marriage records going back many generations. Staff at the court in Waynesboro can help you search for old records as well as handle new license applications. If you are doing genealogy work in Burke County, the Probate Court is a key resource for marriage record research.
The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms used by all 159 Georgia Probate Courts, including the one in Burke County. Download forms ahead of your visit to save time in Waynesboro.
The Georgia Archives shown above holds historical records from many Georgia counties. Burke County's long history makes the archives especially useful for finding older marriage records.
| Address | 200 6th Street, Room 208, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 803, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
| Phone | (706) 554-3000 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Getting a Marriage License in Burke County
Both people must come to the Probate Court in Waynesboro to apply for a marriage license. This is a strict rule. You cannot send someone else or do it by mail alone. Bring valid photo ID. A Georgia driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If either party was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate showing the prior marriage ended.
Burke County charges standard Georgia rates for a marriage license per O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. The exact fee can vary slightly from county to county within the state range. Call (706) 554-3000 to check the current amount in Burke County. Couples who complete six or more hours of premarital education get a reduced fee under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The counseling must happen within 12 months before the application date. Bring the counselor's signed certificate to the Burke County court to claim the discount.
Once issued, the license is good for 60 days. There is no waiting period in Georgia. You can marry the same day you get the license in Burke County. If the 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license becomes void and you have to start over and pay again.
How to Find Burke County Marriage Records
The fastest way to find a Burke County marriage record is to call the Probate Court at (706) 554-3000. Tell them the names and an approximate date. The clerk will search the files and let you know what they have. You can also visit Room 208 at the courthouse in Waynesboro during business hours to search in person.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from 1952 to 1996 for many Georgia counties, including Burke County. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For much older records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow is the best resource. Burke County was formed in 1777, so some marriage records could go back to the early 1800s. The archives have microfilm of older vital records.
The Georgia Probate Records portal may let you start a marriage application online or search for recorded marriages in Burke County. Check with the court to see if they use this system.
Note: Records from after August 1996 exist only at the county Probate Court where the license was issued.
Burke County Marriage Record Copies
Certified copies of marriage certificates from the Burke County Probate Court cost $10 each at most Georgia courts. In-person requests at the Waynesboro courthouse are the fastest option. You can also send a mail request to P.O. Box 803, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Include the full names, date of marriage, and a check or money order for the correct amount.
Going through the state costs $10 for the search plus $5 for each extra copy. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For quick turnaround on Burke County marriage records, the local court in Waynesboro is your best choice.
Burke County Marriage Requirements
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, both people must be 18 or older to marry in Georgia. A 17-year-old needs a court emancipation order with at least 15 days since the order. The older person cannot be more than four years older per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36. Both parties in a minor marriage must finish premarital education. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.
There is no blood test required. Georgia has no waiting period. State residents can apply at any county Probate Court. Non-residents must apply where the ceremony will take place. For Burke County, that means the Waynesboro courthouse.
After the wedding, the officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the Burke County Probate Court within 30 days. This step is required under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 for the marriage to be properly recorded. The court then files the certificate and mails a certified copy to the couple. Without this step, the marriage may not show up in Burke County records. Make sure your officiant handles this promptly.
Georgia Marriage Resources
Several state agencies can assist with Burke County marriage records. The State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta covers marriages from June 1952 through August 1996. The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard court forms. The Georgia Archives keeps historical records that could go back to the founding of Burke County in 1777.
For current and recent Burke County marriage records, the Probate Court in Waynesboro is your primary contact. State resources are most helpful for older records or when you are not sure which county holds a particular marriage record.
Cities in Burke County
Waynesboro is the county seat and largest city in Burke County. Midville and Sardis are other small communities in the area. No cities in Burke County have a population over 25,000. All marriage records and marriage license applications are handled at the Probate Court in Waynesboro.
Nearby Counties
Burke County borders several east Georgia counties. Double-check your address before you apply for a marriage license so you file in the correct county.