Crisp County Marriage Records Lookup

Crisp County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Cordele, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and maintains copies of all marriages recorded in the county. Crisp County sits in south-central Georgia and has about 22,000 residents. Cordele, the county seat, is sometimes called the Watermelon Capital of the World. But the Probate Court on South 7th Street is where you go for marriage license work. From new applications to searches for old records, the Crisp County Probate Court is the office that handles all of it.

Crisp County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court is at 210 South 7th Street in Cordele. Call (229) 271-4725 with questions about marriage licenses or records. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on state holidays and weekends.

Both people must appear in person at the Crisp County Probate Court to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone in your place or apply by phone. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state-issued ID, or military ID will work. If either person was married before, you need proof that the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2 requires both applicants to be at least 18.

The Georgia Probate Records portal may allow you to fill out the application online before visiting the court in Crisp County. Check with the office to see if they use this system.

Marriage License Fees in Crisp County

Crisp County charges standard Georgia fees for marriage licenses. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the base fee ranges from $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. With proof of a qualifying education program, the fee drops to $16 to $37. The specific amount depends on the local costs that Crisp County adds.

To qualify for the lower rate, both people must complete at least six hours of premarital counseling. A licensed professional counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active clergy member must lead the sessions. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, the program must be finished within 12 months of your application date. Bring the signed and notarized certificate to the Crisp County Probate Court when you apply. Without it, you pay the full amount.

The Council of Probate Court Judges has standard forms used by all Georgia probate courts, including Crisp County. These can help you prepare your application paperwork ahead of time.

How to Find Crisp County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Crisp County are stored at the Probate Court in Cordele. The court can search by name and date. Certified copies are $10 each in most Georgia counties. You may need to show ID when requesting copies in person. Call the court to ask about their specific process for records requests.

For records from June 1952 through August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health also has copies. The DPH marriage records page explains how to submit a request. The state fee is $10 for a search, and that fee is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For anything before 1952 or after 1996, the Crisp County Probate Court is the only source.

Genealogy researchers can also check the Georgia Archives in Morrow. They hold microfilm copies of historical marriage records for many Georgia counties. FamilySearch provides free online indexes for Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. These tools may cover some Crisp County records.

After the Ceremony in Crisp County

The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. The law says the signed license must go back to the Crisp County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the document and mails a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days from the date the court gets the signed license.

Georgia has no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get the license. The license stays valid for 60 days. If you do not use it in that time, it becomes void and you must start over. The officiant must be authorized to perform marriages in Georgia under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30. This includes judges, ministers, and certain other officials.

Marriage Laws in Crisp County

Georgia law applies to every marriage in Crisp County. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, a valid marriage needs three things: both people can contract, an actual contract exists, and state law is followed. Neither person can have a living spouse from a marriage that was not dissolved. Both must be of sound mind. The minimum age is 18, with limited exceptions for 17-year-olds who can show proof of emancipation.

Residency rules are simple. If at least one person lives in Georgia, the license can come from any county. If neither person is a Georgia resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony takes place. A marriage in another state has the same legal effect in Georgia under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43, but Georgia residents cannot leave the state to avoid Georgia marriage requirements. These statutes protect both parties and keep the process fair in Crisp County.

Note: Georgia ended the blood test requirement on July 1, 2003, so no medical testing is needed to get a license in Crisp County.

Cities in Crisp County

Crisp County includes Cordele, the county seat, along with the smaller town of Arabi. All marriage licenses in Crisp County come from the Probate Court in Cordele. Residents of any part of the county use the same office for records and license applications.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Crisp County in south-central Georgia. If you live near a county line, confirm which county you are in before applying for a marriage license.