Search Dade County Marriage Records

Dade County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Trenton, Georgia. The court issues new marriage licenses and keeps copies of all marriage records for the county. Dade County sits in the far northwest corner of Georgia, bordering both Alabama and Tennessee. It has a population of about 16,000 residents. The Probate Court at the Dade County Courthouse handles all marriage license applications, certified copies, and records searches. If you need to find a marriage record or apply for a license in Dade County, this is the only office to contact.

Dade County Probate Court

The Dade County Probate Court is at the courthouse in Trenton. Call (706) 657-4625 for questions about marriage licenses or records. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on state holidays.

Both people must show up at the court at the same time to get a marriage license. You cannot apply by mail, phone, or through someone else. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. If either person had a prior marriage, bring proof it 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 applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry in Georgia.

Dade County participates in the online marriage application system. You can start your application at the Georgia Probate Records portal before visiting the court. This saves time at the office. The online system stores your application for up to 30 days.

The portal also lets you search for recorded marriage licenses in participating counties.

Dade County Marriage License Fees

Dade County charges standard Georgia rates for marriage licenses. The fee without premarital counseling ranges from $56 to $77. With proof of qualifying premarital education, the fee drops to between $16 and $37. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county sets its exact fee based on the state base plus local costs.

The discount requires at least six hours of premarital counseling under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. A licensed professional or active clergy member must lead the sessions. Both people need to complete the program within 12 months of the application date. Bring the signed, notarized certificate to your appointment at the Dade County Probate Court. Without it, you pay full price.

Call the court to ask about accepted payment methods. Most Georgia probate courts take cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Some smaller courts have limited options, so check before you visit Dade County.

How to Find Dade County Marriage Records

The Probate Court holds all marriage records for Dade County. To search for a record, call the court or visit in person. Have the names of both parties and the approximate marriage date. Certified copies cost $10 each at most Georgia courts. You may need a valid ID to pick up certified copies in person.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. Request those through the DPH vital records office. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For records before 1952 or after 1996, the Dade County Probate Court is the only source. Because Dade County sits right on the state line, some couples may have married in Tennessee or Alabama. Those records would be held in the county where the ceremony took place, not in Dade County.

For old records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has historical microfilm for many counties. FamilySearch offers free indexes for Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967.

Note: Dade County borders two states, so make sure the marriage you are looking for took place in Georgia before contacting the Dade County court.

Marriage License Laws in Dade County

Georgia law applies in Dade County just like every other county. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, a valid marriage requires that both people can contract, they enter an actual contract, and they follow state law. Both must be of sound mind. Neither can have a living spouse from a marriage that was not dissolved. There is no blood test. No waiting period either.

If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can get a license from any county. If neither person is a Georgia resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place. This matters in Dade County since the area draws visitors from Chattanooga and other parts of Tennessee. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43, a marriage in another state carries the same legal weight in Georgia. But Georgia residents cannot marry out of state to avoid Georgia's own marriage laws.

The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Dade County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records the marriage and mails a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the couple.

Cities in Dade County

Dade County includes Trenton, the county seat, and the small town of Wildwood. All residents of Dade County apply for marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Trenton. No other office in Dade County handles marriage records.

Nearby Counties

Dade County is in the far northwest corner of Georgia. It borders Walker County to the south and east. To the north and west, Dade County borders Tennessee and Alabama.