Access Charlton County Marriage Records

Charlton County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Folkston, Georgia. This is one of the most rural counties in the state, sitting in the far southeast corner near the Okefenokee Swamp. The court on 3rd Street in Folkston handles all marriage license applications and record requests. If you need to search for a marriage record or apply for a new license in Charlton County, the Probate Court is the only office that can help. The small court staff manages all probate matters for the county, and they can walk you through the process when you visit. Call ahead to make sure they are ready for your request.

Charlton County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Folkston is where you get a marriage license or look up a past marriage record in Charlton County. The courthouse sits on 3rd Street. It is open weekdays. The staff handles a range of probate duties, and marriage licenses are one of the main services they provide.

Both parties must come to the Charlton County Probate Court in person to apply for a license. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. If you were married before, you need to bring proof that the prior marriage ended. This means a certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1 requires that all these conditions be met before a license is issued.

Charlton County Marriage License Fees

The standard marriage license fee in Charlton County follows state law. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the fee ranges from $56 to $77. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education class get a break. The reduced fee falls between $16 and $37. That can save you $40 or more.

The class must cover at least six hours of premarital education. A licensed professional or active clergy member must teach it. You need to complete it within 12 months of applying at the Charlton County Probate Court. Bring the certificate with you when you visit the courthouse. For payment, call ahead to ask what the court accepts. Small courts like Charlton County often prefer cash or money orders.

How to Find Charlton County Marriage Records

The best way to find a marriage record from Charlton County is to visit the Probate Court in Folkston. The clerk can search their files by name and date. If the record is on file, you can get a certified copy that day. Bring your ID and know the names and rough date of the marriage you are looking for.

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. You can request a search by mail for $10. This fee is not refundable even if the record is not found. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For marriages outside that window, the Charlton County Probate Court is the only source.

Marriage records in Georgia are public. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage certificate or license from the Charlton County Probate Court. The marriage application is the one part that is restricted to the parties named on it.

Charlton County License Requirements

Georgia law sets clear rules for who can get married. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18. A 17-year-old may apply only if emancipated, and the other party cannot be more than four years older. No one under 17 can get a license in Georgia.

There is no waiting period in Charlton County. You can get married right after you pick up the license. No blood test is needed. The license is valid for 60 days. If you don't use it in that time, you have to start over and pay the fee again. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Charlton County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records the marriage and mails you a certified marriage certificate.

If at least one party is a Georgia resident, you can apply at any probate court in the state. If neither lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will happen. Since Charlton County is near the Florida border, some out-of-state couples do choose to marry here. The court can handle those cases as long as the ceremony takes place in Charlton County.

Genealogy and Old Records

Charlton County was created in 1854. Marriage records from around that time may still be on file at the courthouse in Folkston. For older records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow holds microfilm copies of marriage records from many counties. You can visit in person or check the online Virtual Vault.

FamilySearch has free marriage indexes for Georgia going back to 1808. Ancestry.com offers select county records as well. These tools can be useful when tracking down old Charlton County marriage records for family history projects. Keep in mind that some early records may have gaps or damage due to age.

The Council of Probate Court Judges sets standard forms used by all Georgia probate courts, including Charlton County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Charlton County. If a marriage may have been filed nearby, check these courts.