Find Marriage Records in Cobb County

Cobb County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Marietta. The court issues new marriage licenses and keeps copies of all past records on file. Cobb is one of the largest counties in Georgia, with more than 760,000 residents spread across cities like Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw. If you need to search for a marriage license, get a certified copy, or apply for a new one, the Probate Court on Waddell Street handles all of it. Both walk-in and online tools can help you find what you need, though appointments are now required for license applications in Cobb County.

Cobb County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court in Cobb County handles all marriage license matters. Chief Judge Kelli Wolk and Associate Judge Tara Riddle lead the court. Staff can help you apply for a license, look up old marriage records, or get certified copies. The office sits in downtown Marietta, a short walk from the town square.

You can reach the Cobb County Probate Court by phone or email. The staff is helpful but appointments are a must for license work. Walk-ins are not accepted for new marriage license applications. You have to set up a time before you visit. The court processes licenses on weekdays during regular business hours, and the whole visit takes about 30 minutes once you have your appointment. If you need to check the status of a filed license or ask about a past marriage record in Cobb County, call the main line at (770) 528-1931. They can tell you what records they have and what you need to bring.

The Cobb County Probate Court marriage license page has full details on the application steps and what forms you need to fill out before your visit.

The site walks you through each step. It lists all the forms of ID they accept and tells you what to expect the day of your appointment.

Cobb County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Cobb County starts with an online application. You fill out the form on the Georgia Probate Records portal and then book an appointment. Both people must show up at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or military ID. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, you must be at least 18 to marry in Georgia.

The standard license fee in Cobb County is $56. Couples who finish a premarital education program pay just $16, a savings of $40. This reduced fee comes from O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, which requires at least six hours of counseling from a licensed professional or active clergy member. The counseling must be done within 12 months of your application date. Bring the signed and notarized certificate of completion to your appointment in Cobb County.

Cobb County accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, and personal checks. A $2.50 service fee applies to card payments. Most courts in Georgia do not take personal checks, so Cobb County is one of the few that does. Once the court issues your license, there is no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony right away. Georgia law does not require a blood test.

Wedding Ceremonies in Cobb County

The Probate Court in Cobb County does not perform wedding ceremonies. That job falls to the Magistrate Court. Free group ceremonies happen twice a day without an appointment. Just arrive about 30 minutes early. You must hold a valid Cobb County marriage license to take part.

The Cobb County Magistrate Court ceremony page shows the full schedule and what to expect on the day of your ceremony.

Group ceremonies run Monday through Thursday at 6:00 PM, and on Fridays, weekends, and holidays at noon and 6:00 PM. Call the Magistrate Court at (770) 528-8900 for more details. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. After the court records the signed license, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Cobb County Probate Court.

Note: Only ceremonies using a Cobb County-issued license are accepted at these group events.

How to Search Cobb County Marriage Records

You have a few ways to look up marriage records in Cobb County. The Probate Court keeps records for marriages that took place in the county. For older records from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records also holds copies. Contact the state vital records office for those years. For anything before 1952 or after 1996, the Cobb County Probate Court is the only source.

The Cobb County Probate Court main page has links to their services and contact info for records requests.

You can call the court to ask about a specific record. They can search by name and date. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each. Bring a valid ID when you pick them up in person. The state charges a separate $10 search fee for mail requests sent to the Atlanta office. That fee is not refundable even if the record is not found.

Note: Cobb County marriage records from after 1996 are only held at the local Probate Court, not the state office.

Cobb County Marriage License Rules

Georgia law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be able to contract, enter an actual contract, and follow the state's laws on consummation. Both people must be of sound mind and have no living spouse from an earlier marriage that was never dissolved. These rules apply in Cobb County the same as every other county in the state.

If at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can apply for a marriage license in any county. That means you do not have to live in Cobb County to get your license there. But if neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36, a 17-year-old may marry only with proof of emancipation, and 15 days must pass after the emancipation order. The older party can be no more than four years older. Anyone under 17 cannot marry in Georgia at all.

Cities in Cobb County

Cobb County has many cities and communities. All marriage licenses are issued through the Cobb County Probate Court in Marietta, no matter which city you live in. The following cities have their own pages with more local details on marriage records.

Other communities in Cobb County include Acworth, Powder Springs, Austell, and Vinings. All of these fall under the Cobb County Probate Court for marriage license and records purposes.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Cobb County. If you are not sure where to file, check the address where you plan to hold the ceremony or where you live in Georgia.