Crawford County Marriage Records

Crawford County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Knoxville, Georgia. The court handles new marriage license applications and keeps a record of all marriages that took place in the county. Crawford County is a small, rural county in central Georgia with a population of about 12,000. The Probate Court on South Camp Street is the sole office for all marriage license and records work. Whether you are applying for a new license or looking for an old marriage record, the staff at the Crawford County Probate Court can help you with the process.

Crawford County Probate Court

The Crawford County Probate Court sits at 100 South Camp Street in Knoxville. Phone the office at (478) 836-3329 for questions about marriage licenses or records. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Both parties must appear in person at the Crawford County Probate Court to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. If either person had a prior marriage, bring proof it ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate is required. The court staff can guide you through the full application when you arrive in Crawford County.

Crawford County follows the same Georgia marriage laws as every other county. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 years old. There is no blood test and no waiting period. You can have the ceremony the same day you pick up your license. The Georgia Probate Records portal may let you start your application online before visiting the court in person.

Crawford County Marriage License Fees

Crawford County charges standard Georgia rates. The fee without premarital counseling is between $56 and $77. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county adds its own local costs to the state base. The exact amount depends on Crawford County's local additions.

The reduced rate is $16 to $37 with proof of a qualifying premarital education program. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, both people need to complete 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. You bring the signed, notarized certificate to the court. Without it, you pay the full fee in Crawford County.

Call the court to ask which payment methods they accept. Small courts in rural counties sometimes have limited options, so check before your visit.

How to Search Crawford County Marriage Records

The Probate Court in Crawford County keeps all local marriage records. You can call or visit the office to request a search. Have the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Certified copies cost $10 each in most Georgia counties. A valid ID may be needed when you pick up copies in person.

The state also holds records from June 1952 through August 1996. The Georgia DPH vital records office processes those requests. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For records from before 1952 or after 1996, the Crawford County Probate Court is the only place to look.

The Georgia Archives has historical marriage records on microfilm for many counties. This can be useful for genealogy work that involves Crawford County marriages from the 1800s or early 1900s.

After Your Wedding in Crawford County

Once the ceremony is done, the officiant signs the marriage license. The law requires the signed license to be returned to the Crawford County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and then mails a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the couple. Expect this to take about 30 days after the court gets the signed license.

The license is good for 60 days from the date it was issued. Use it before then or it becomes void. If it expires, you must start over and pay the fee again. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can marry right away. The officiant must be legally authorized under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30 to perform marriages in the state. Judges, ministers, and other designated officials all qualify.

Note: The court cannot issue certified copies of your marriage record until the officiant returns the signed license.

Marriage Laws Affecting Crawford County

All Georgia counties follow the same marriage laws, and Crawford County is no different. O.C.G.A. 19-3-1 requires three elements for a valid marriage: both people can contract, they enter an actual contract, and they follow state law. Neither person can have a living spouse from a prior marriage. Both must be mentally capable of entering the agreement.

Residency rules are straightforward. If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can get a license from any county. If neither person is a resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43, a marriage performed in another state carries the same legal weight in Georgia. But Georgia residents cannot leave the state to dodge Georgia marriage laws. These rules apply in Crawford County just as they do across the state.

Cities in Crawford County

Crawford County includes Knoxville, the county seat, along with the small community of Roberta. All residents of Crawford County apply for marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Knoxville. There are no other offices for marriage records in Crawford County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Crawford County in central Georgia. If you are unsure which county you live in, check your address before going to the court.