Marriage Records in Chattahoochee County

Chattahoochee County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Cusseta, Georgia. This is one of the smallest counties in the state by population. The county shares its eastern border with Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), which brings in a mix of military and civilian residents. The Probate Court on Broad Street handles all marriage license applications and stores past marriage records for Chattahoochee County. Whether you are a local resident or stationed at the nearby base, the court staff can help you get a marriage license or look up a past record. Most visits are handled the same day.

Chattahoochee County Probate Court

The Probate Court is the only office that issues marriage licenses in Chattahoochee County. Both parties must come in together. You each need valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. Military IDs are very common here because of the proximity to Fort Moore.

If either party had a prior marriage, bring proof that it ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree is the standard document. A death certificate for a former spouse also works. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, Georgia requires that parties be free from any prior undissolved marriage before they can get a new license. The staff at the Chattahoochee County courthouse will verify all documents during your visit.

Marriage License Fees

Chattahoochee County follows the state fee schedule for marriage licenses. The standard fee ranges from $56 to $77 under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60. A reduced fee of $16 to $37 is available for couples who complete premarital education.

The education program must be at least six hours long. A licensed counselor, therapist, or active clergy member must teach it. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, you need to finish the class within 12 months before you apply at the Chattahoochee County Probate Court. Bring proof when you come in. Call (706) 989-3422 to ask about accepted payment methods before your visit.

How to Search Chattahoochee County Marriage Records

Visit the Probate Court in Cusseta to search for marriage records in Chattahoochee County. The clerk can look up records by name and date. Bring your ID and as much detail as possible about the marriage. In-person searches are usually quick, and you can get a certified copy the same day.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. You can request a search by mail for $10. That fee is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process. For marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Chattahoochee County Probate Court is the only place that has those files. The state does not keep records from those years.

Marriage records are public in Georgia. You do not need to be named on the license to get a copy. Anyone can request a marriage certificate or license copy from the Chattahoochee County court. The marriage application is the exception. Only the parties on it can ask for that document.

Chattahoochee County Marriage License Steps

Getting married in Chattahoochee County is a simple process. Georgia has no waiting period. No blood test is needed. Once you get the license, you can have the ceremony right away. The license is good for 60 days. If you don't use it in time, it expires.

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18. The only exception is a 17-year-old who has been emancipated and where the other party is within four years of age. No one under 17 can get a license in Georgia. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Chattahoochee County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and sends a certified certificate to the couple by mail.

If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court in the state. If neither is a Georgia resident, you need to apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Military families at Fort Moore can use the Chattahoochee County court or any Georgia county court if at least one party is stationed here and claims Georgia residency.

Old Marriage Records and Research

Chattahoochee County was formed in 1854. The Georgia Archives has microfilm copies of marriage records from many Georgia counties. Some go back to the 1800s. You can visit the archives in Morrow or check the online Virtual Vault for digital files.

FamilySearch has a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. This may include Chattahoochee County entries. Ancestry.com also has records from select counties. The Georgia Probate Records website may have some records available for online search as well.

The Georgia.gov site has a general guide to the marriage license process that applies to all counties, including Chattahoochee County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chattahoochee County. Check them if you think a marriage may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction.