Search Chatham County Marriage Records

Chatham County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Savannah, Georgia. This is one of the most populous counties in the state, with nearly 300,000 residents. The Probate Court on Montgomery Street handles marriage license applications and stores all marriage records for Chatham County. Savannah is a popular destination for weddings, so the court processes a large volume of marriage licenses each year. An appointment is required to apply for a license. If you need to search for an old marriage record or get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Chatham County, the Probate Court is the office to contact.

Chatham County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court on Montgomery Street in downtown Savannah is the office that issues marriage licenses in Chatham County. The court is in Room 509 of the county building. You need an appointment to apply for a marriage license here. Walk-ins are not accepted for license applications. Call the court or check their website to schedule your visit.

Both people who want to get married must come to the appointment together. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. The Chatham County staff will review your documents and process the application during your visit.

Savannah draws a lot of destination weddings. Out-of-state couples who want to marry in Chatham County must apply in person at this court if neither party is a Georgia resident. Georgia law says the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place in that case.

Chatham County Marriage License Fees

Chatham County charges $66 for a marriage license without premarital counseling. That is the standard fee. If both parties complete a qualifying premarital education class, the fee drops to $26. That is a $40 savings.

The premarital class must last at least six hours and be led by a licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, or active clergy member. This is set by O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. You must finish the class within 12 months of applying for the license at the Chatham County Probate Court. Bring the certificate of completion to your appointment. The fee structure follows O.C.G.A. 15-9-60.

Note: Certified copies of past marriage records cost extra, so ask the court about copy fees when you call.

Getting Chatham County Marriage Records

The Chatham County Probate Court keeps all marriage records for marriages that took place in the county. You can visit the court in person to request a certified copy. Give the staff the names and approximate date, and they can search their files. Most in-person requests are processed the same day.

For marriages between June 1952 and August 1996, you can also contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state office charges $10 for a search. One certified copy is included if the record is found. Extra copies cost $5 each. Mail requests to the state take 8 to 10 weeks. For marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Chatham County Probate Court is the only source.

You can find more details on the Chatham County marriage license page, which covers the application process, fees, and scheduling.

The Chatham County website provides clear instructions on how to schedule an appointment and what to bring when you apply for a marriage license.

Chatham County Marriage Requirements

Both parties must be at least 18 to marry in Chatham County. This is set by O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. A 17-year-old may apply only with proof of emancipation, and the older party cannot be more than four years older. No one under 17 can get a license in Georgia at all.

Georgia has no waiting period. Once you get the license at the Chatham County Probate Court, you can have the ceremony the same day. The license is good for 60 days. No blood test is required. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and mails you a certified marriage certificate, which usually arrives within 30 days.

Chatham County Marriage Records History

Chatham County is one of the oldest counties in Georgia. It was created in 1777. Marriage records from the early years may be on file at the courthouse or at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The archives hold microfilm copies of county records going back to the 1800s. Some records are also available in the online Virtual Vault.

FamilySearch offers a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. Ancestry.com has select county marriage records dating to 1828. These resources can fill in the gaps when courthouse files are incomplete. Chatham County has a long history, and some very old records may be fragile or hard to read. The Georgia Archives may be the best place to look for those early marriage records from Chatham County.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County includes Savannah and several other cities. All marriage licenses are issued through the Chatham County Probate Court, not by city offices.

Other towns in Chatham County include Garden City, Port Wentworth, Thunderbolt, Tybee Island, and Bloomingdale. All of them use the Chatham County Probate Court for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Chatham County. Check these if you are unsure where a marriage was filed.