Columbia County Marriage Records Search

Columbia County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court, which operates from two locations in the county. The main office in Appling handles vital records including marriage licenses, while the Evans office provides other court services. Columbia County is one of the fastest-growing areas in Georgia with over 160,000 residents. If you need to search for a marriage record, apply for a new license, or get a certified copy of an existing one, the Probate Court is your starting point. Both locations can answer questions, but marriage license work must be done at the Appling office.

Columbia County Probate Court Offices

Columbia County has two Probate Court locations. The Appling office is at 1956 Appling Harlem Road. This is the only location that handles vital records, which includes marriage licenses. The Evans office at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive serves other court needs but does not process marriage licenses. Make sure you go to the right location.

The court accepts marriage license applications from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Call (706) 541-1254 to reach the Appling office for vital records questions. Both people must show up in person at the same time. You cannot apply by mail or have someone else do it for you. The staff in Columbia County will process your application on the spot once you have all the required documents.

The Columbia County marriage license page has the full list of what you need to bring and how the process works.

The county website spells out every step. It also lists the specific documents you need for your application in Columbia County.

Columbia County Marriage License Application

To get a marriage license in Columbia County, both people need to bring a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport all work. If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate is what the court needs. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry in Georgia.

The Columbia County Probate Court also asks for some extra details during the application. You need to know your parents' birthplace, including city and state. You need your mother's maiden name. You also need the date and location of the ceremony, and it must be in Georgia. Have all of this ready before you get to the office. It makes the process faster.

The license fee in Columbia County is $56 without premarital counseling. With proof of a qualifying premarital education program, the fee drops to $16. The court accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards. A convenience fee applies for card payments. Tap payments are not accepted at the Columbia County Probate Court.

Note: Vital records work, including marriage licenses, is only done at the Appling location in Columbia County.

Getting Copies of Columbia County Marriage Records

Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each in Columbia County. The court issues a certified copy of the marriage license, not a separate marriage certificate. This is an important distinction. The county copy of your license must be returned to the Probate Court by the officiant before you can get a certified copy. Until that happens, the court does not have a recorded document to copy.

You can request copies in person or check the Columbia County Probate Court website for online options. Some requests may be handled through the court's online portal. Call the Appling office to ask about the best way to get your copy in Columbia County.

The Probate Court site also covers other services like estate matters and guardianships. For marriage records, look under the vital records section.

The state also holds some marriage records. The Georgia Department of Public Health has records from June 1952 through August 1996. For anything outside those years, the Columbia County Probate Court in Appling is where you go. The state charges $10 for a search, and that fee is not refundable.

Marriage Laws for Columbia County

Georgia marriage laws apply to Columbia County the same as all other counties. O.C.G.A. 19-3-1 sets the basic rules. Both people must be able to contract, enter an actual contract, and follow the law on consummation. Neither party can have a living spouse from a marriage that was not dissolved. Both must be of sound mind.

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, couples can save money on the license fee by completing premarital education. The program must be at least six hours and led by a licensed professional or active clergy member. It has to be done within 12 months of applying. The certificate must be signed, notarized, and brought to the appointment. Without it, you pay the full $56 fee in Columbia County. Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. The license is good for 60 days from the date of issue.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes several growing communities in the Augusta metro area. All marriage license applications go through the Probate Court at the Appling location, no matter which city you live in within Columbia County.

Other communities in Columbia County include Grovetown, Harlem, and Appling. All of these areas are served by the same Probate Court for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Columbia County in east Georgia. If you live near a border, check your address to make sure you apply at the right court.