Search Camden County Marriage Records

Camden County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Woodbine, Georgia. Located in the far southeast corner of the state along the coast, Camden County borders Florida and sits near the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or look up an old marriage record, the Probate Court handles both. The staff at the Woodbine courthouse can search their files and provide certified copies of marriage certificates. Camden County has a steady flow of license applications due to the military community nearby, and the court is used to handling requests from people who live both in and out of the area.

Camden County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court is the only office in Camden County that issues marriage licenses. It also stores all past marriage records. The court sits on Osborne Street in Woodbine. You can walk in during business hours to apply for a license or ask for a record search. The staff handles all types of probate matters, but marriage licenses make up a large part of what they do.

Both people who plan to get married must show up at the Camden County Probate Court at the same time. You each need to bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. Since Camden County has a large military population, the court sees a lot of military IDs and is familiar with that process. If either party had a past marriage, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse.

Marriage License Fees and Payment

Camden County charges a standard Georgia marriage license fee. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the fee runs from $56 to $77 depending on the county. If both parties complete a premarital education program of at least six hours, the fee drops to a range of $16 to $37. That is a real saving.

The premarital class must follow the rules in O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. It has to be taught by a licensed counselor, social worker, therapist, psychologist, or active clergy member. You must finish the class no more than 12 months before you apply in Camden County. Bring a certificate of completion when you visit the courthouse. The court takes cash and money orders. Call (912) 576-5605 to ask about other payment types before you visit.

Getting Copies of Camden County Marriage Records

How you get a copy of a marriage record from Camden County depends on the year. For a marriage that took place in Camden County before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Woodbine is your only option. The state office does not keep those records. Go to the court in person or call to ask about mail requests.

For marriages from June 1952 through August 1996, you have two choices. The Camden County Probate Court has the local copy. The Georgia Department of Public Health also has records from that period. The state charges $10 for a search fee, which is not refundable. If they find the record, you get one certified copy with that fee. Extra copies cost $5 each. Mail requests to the state take 8 to 10 weeks, so plan ahead if you need the record soon.

In person at the Camden County Probate Court, most record searches are done the same day. Bring a valid ID and as much detail as you can about the marriage, including both names and the approximate date.

Note: Marriage records in Georgia are public records, so anyone can request a copy from the Camden County Probate Court.

Camden County Marriage License Steps

Georgia makes the license process simple. There is no waiting period. No blood test is needed. Once you get the license at the Camden County Probate Court, you can have the ceremony the same day if you want. The license stays valid for 60 days. If you don't use it by then, it expires and you have to apply again.

After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must sign the license and return it to the Camden County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records it. You will get a certified marriage certificate in the mail, usually within 30 days after that. This certificate is the official proof of your marriage in Camden County. Keep it in a safe place because you will need it for name changes at the Social Security office and the DMV.

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18 to get a license. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of emancipation, and the older party cannot be more than four years older. Georgia law changed in 2019 to bar anyone under 17 from marrying at all. The Camden County Probate Court follows these rules strictly.

Historical Marriage Records Research

If you are looking for old Camden County marriage records for genealogy or family research, several options exist. The Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of many county records. Some date back to the 1800s. You can visit in person or check their online Virtual Vault for digital copies.

FamilySearch offers a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. Ancestry.com has select county marriage records going back to 1828. These tools can fill in gaps when the courthouse files are incomplete. For very old records, church records and family Bibles may be the only source. Camden County was created in 1777, so its marriage records go back a long way. Some early records may be hard to read or may have been lost over the years.

The Georgia Probate Records website offers online search tools for some counties. You may be able to find Camden County marriage records through this portal.

You can also check the Georgia.gov marriage license page for general info on the process before you visit the Camden County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Camden County. If you are not sure where a marriage was filed, check the neighboring county courts as well.