Find Marriage Records in Candler County
Candler County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Metter, Georgia. This east-central Georgia county is home to about 10,800 people. The Probate Court on East Hiawatha Street is where you go to get a marriage license or search for an old marriage record in Candler County. The court keeps files on all marriages that took place in the county, and staff can pull up records and make certified copies for you. If you are planning a wedding or need proof of a past marriage, the Candler County Probate Court is your first stop. Walk-in service is available during normal business hours.
Candler County Quick Facts
Candler County Probate Court Details
The Probate Court is the office that handles marriage licenses in Candler County. All license applications, marriage records, and certified copies come from this office. It is on East Hiawatha Street in Metter. The court is open five days a week and serves the whole county.
When you visit the Candler County Probate Court for a marriage license, both parties must be there. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you were married before, you need to show a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1 sets the basic rules for a valid marriage. The Candler County staff will walk you through each step. Most license applications take about 30 minutes to process.
| Address | 1075 E Hiawatha St, Metter, GA 30439 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (912) 685-2835 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Candler County Marriage License Fees
The marriage license fee in Candler County follows state guidelines. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the standard fee ranges from $56 to $77. Couples who take a qualifying premarital education class pay less. The reduced fee falls between $16 and $37.
The premarital class has to last at least six hours. A licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member must teach it. You need to finish the class within 12 months of applying for the license in Candler County. This rule comes from O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The savings can be more than $40, so it is worth looking into before you apply. Cash and money orders are the most common payment methods at smaller Georgia courts. Call the Candler County Probate Court at (912) 685-2835 to confirm what forms of payment they take.
Search for Candler County Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records in Candler County in a few ways. The fastest way is to visit the Probate Court in Metter in person. The staff can look up a record by name and date. If they find it, you can get a certified copy while you wait. Bring your ID and have the names and approximate date of the marriage ready.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. You can request a search by mail for $10. This fee is not refundable. The state office is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard in Atlanta. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For records before 1952 or after 1996, the Candler County Probate Court is the only place to look. The state does not hold those files.
Marriage records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not have to be one of the people named on the marriage license to get a copy from Candler County. The only thing that is restricted is the marriage application itself, which only the parties named on it can request.
Candler County Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license in Candler County. Both people must be at least 18 years old under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. They must be of sound mind. Neither can have a living spouse from a prior marriage that has not been ended by divorce or death.
If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can apply for the license at any county Probate Court in the state. That means you do not have to live in Candler County to get a license there. But if neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. There is no waiting period in Candler County. No blood test is needed. The license is good for 60 days.
After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Candler County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and mails a certified marriage certificate to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days after the court gets the signed license back.
Historical Records in Candler County
Candler County was created in 1914 from parts of Bulloch, Emanuel, and Tattnall Counties. Marriage records from before that date would be in those parent counties. For records after 1914, check the Candler County Probate Court first.
The Georgia Archives has microfilm copies of marriage records from many Georgia counties. FamilySearch offers a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967 that may include Candler County entries. Ancestry.com has records from select counties as well. These tools are helpful for tracing family lines back through the years in Candler County.
You can start an online marriage application through the Georgia Probate Records website before visiting the court.
The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms and guidelines used by all 159 Georgia counties, including Candler County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Candler County. If a marriage took place near the county line, you may need to check neighboring courts.