Chattooga County Marriage Records Lookup

Chattooga County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Summerville, Georgia. This northwest Georgia county borders Alabama to the west and sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The Probate Court on Commerce Street is the place to apply for a marriage license or search for past marriage records. The court handles all marriage-related filings for Chattooga County. If you are getting married in the area or need a copy of a marriage certificate from a past wedding, the Probate Court staff can assist you. Most requests are processed during your visit if the record is on file.

Chattooga County Probate Court

All marriage licenses in Chattooga County come from the Probate Court. The office is at 10035 Commerce Street in Summerville. You can walk in during business hours. Both parties must come together to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid photo ID.

The court staff will check your IDs and verify that you meet all the requirements under Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be free from any prior undissolved marriage. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for a former spouse. The Chattooga County Probate Court handles a steady volume of license applications and record searches each year.

Marriage License Fees in Chattooga County

The marriage license fee in Chattooga County falls within the state range of $56 to $77. This is set by O.C.G.A. 15-9-60. Couples who complete a premarital education program can get a lower fee, between $16 and $37.

The program must be at least six hours. It has to be taught by a licensed counselor, therapist, or active clergy member, per O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. You need to finish it within 12 months of applying. Bring the certificate of completion to the Chattooga County Probate Court. The savings can be more than $40 in some counties. Call the court at (706) 857-0705 to confirm the exact fee and accepted payment methods.

How to Search Chattooga County Marriage Records

The quickest way to find a marriage record from Chattooga County is to go to the Probate Court in person. The clerk can search by name and date. If they find the record, you can get a certified copy right then. Bring a valid ID and know the full names and rough date of the marriage.

You can also contact the Georgia Department of Public Health for records from June 1952 through August 1996. The state charges a $10 search fee that is not refundable. If found, one certified copy is included. Mail requests to the state office take 8 to 10 weeks. For any Chattooga County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, only the Probate Court in Summerville has those records.

Georgia marriage records are public documents. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not have to be a party to the marriage. The only part that is restricted is the marriage application, which can only be requested by the people named on it.

Chattooga County License Requirements

Georgia sets the same rules for every county. Both people must be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. A 17-year-old may get a license only if emancipated and the other party is within four years of age. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.

There is no waiting period. No blood test is required. The license is valid for 60 days from the date the Chattooga County Probate Court issues it. If it expires, you must reapply and pay the fee again. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the court within 30 days. A certified marriage certificate is then mailed to the couple within about 30 days.

Residency rules work like this: if at least one party lives in Georgia, you can apply at any probate court in the state. If neither lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the wedding will take place. Chattooga County sits on the Alabama line, so some couples come from across the border. As long as the ceremony is in Chattooga County, the court can issue the license to non-residents.

Chattooga County Records for Family Research

Chattooga County was created in 1838. Old marriage records from that era may still be at the courthouse or at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The archives hold microfilm copies of marriage records from many counties. 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 online tools can help you find old Chattooga County marriage records. Some older records may be incomplete or hard to read, but the archives staff can help you with research if you visit in person.

The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you search for marriage records from participating counties. Some Chattooga County records may be searchable through this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Chattooga County. If a marriage record is not found here, check the neighboring courts.