Search Clayton County Marriage Records

Clayton County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Jonesboro, Georgia. This large suburban county south of Atlanta is home to over 297,000 people and sits just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Probate Court on Tara Boulevard handles all marriage license applications and keeps past marriage records for Clayton County. The court processes a high volume of license requests each year. If you need to find a marriage record or get a new license in Clayton County, this is the office to visit. The court staff can search for old records and issue certified copies during regular business hours.

Clayton County Probate Court

The Probate Court at 9151 Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro is the sole office for marriage licenses in Clayton County. The court serves one of the most populated counties in the metro Atlanta area. Both parties must come in together to apply for a marriage license. You each need a valid photo ID.

A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work for identification. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. The Clayton County court staff will verify your documents before issuing the license. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be free from any prior undissolved marriage. Because this is a busy court, you may want to arrive early to avoid long waits during peak hours.

Clayton County Marriage License Fees

Clayton County charges a marriage license fee within the state range. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the standard fee is between $56 and $77. Couples who complete premarital counseling pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37.

The premarital class must last at least six hours. 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 of applying at the Clayton County Probate Court. Bring the completion certificate when you visit. The savings can be significant. Call the court to ask about accepted payment methods before you go.

Getting Clayton County Marriage Records

The Clayton County Probate Court keeps records for all marriages that took place in the county. Visit the court in Jonesboro with a valid ID to search for a record. Give the clerk the names and approximate date. Most searches are done the same day, and you can get a certified copy while you wait.

For marriages from June 1952 through August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health also has copies. The state charges $10 for a search. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. One certified copy is included if the record is found. For Clayton County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Jonesboro is the only option.

You can fill out an online application before visiting the court. The Georgia Probate Records website lets you start the process from home. The application is stored for up to 30 days. You still have to come in person to the Clayton County court to finish the process.

Clayton County Marriage Requirements

Georgia law sets the same rules statewide. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of emancipation, and the older party must be within four years of age. No one under 17 can marry.

There is no waiting period in Clayton County. No blood test. The license is good for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Clayton County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days.

If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court. If neither is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Given Clayton County's location near the airport, some out-of-state couples do apply here.

Note: Personal checks may not be accepted at all courts; call ahead to confirm payment methods for Clayton County.

Clayton County Records History

Clayton County was formed in 1858. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds microfilm copies of marriage records from many Georgia counties, including some that date to the 1800s. You can visit the archives in person or check the online Virtual Vault for digital copies.

FamilySearch offers a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. Ancestry.com has records from select counties as well. These tools can help with genealogy work when the Clayton County courthouse files do not have what you need. Since the Georgia Archives is actually located in Clayton County, in the city of Morrow, it is especially convenient for people in this area to visit in person.

The Georgia Probate Records website may have some Clayton County records available for online search.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clayton County. If a marriage may have been filed in a neighboring area, check these courts.