Dawson County Marriage Records

Dawson County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Dawsonville, Georgia. The court issues new marriage licenses and keeps files for all past marriages that were recorded in the county. Dawson County is located in the north Georgia mountains and has a population of about 26,000 people. The Probate Court at 25 Justice Way handles all marriage license work, from new applications to certified copy requests. Whether you are planning a wedding or searching for an existing marriage record, the Dawson County Probate Court is the office to contact.

Dawson County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court sits at 25 Justice Way, Suite 1232, in Dawsonville. The phone number is (706) 344-3510. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on state holidays.

Both people must come to the Dawson County Probate Court in person to apply for a marriage license. No one else can apply on your behalf. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. If either person was married before, you need documentation that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate will satisfy the requirement. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry in Georgia.

The staff at Dawson County can process your application while you wait during business hours. North Georgia is a popular spot for weddings, and the court sees a steady flow of license applications throughout the year. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring.

The Council of Probate Court Judges oversees all 159 county probate courts in Georgia, including Dawson County. Their site has general info about probate court services.

Marriage License Fees in Dawson County

Dawson County charges standard Georgia fees. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the license fee ranges from $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. With proof of qualifying premarital education, the cost drops to $16 to $37. The exact fee depends on what local costs Dawson County adds to the state base amount.

To get the lower fee, both people must complete at least six hours of premarital counseling from a licensed professional or active clergy member. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, the program must be done within 12 months of the application date. You need to bring the signed, notarized certificate of completion to the Dawson County Probate Court. Without it, the full fee applies. Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses cost $10 each.

Call the court at (706) 344-3510 to confirm what payment methods they accept before your visit. Most Georgia probate courts take cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards.

How to Search Dawson County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Dawson County are stored at the Probate Court. You can call or visit to request a search. Provide the names of both parties and an approximate date. The court can look up the record and make certified copies if it is on file. Bring a valid ID if you go in person.

The state also keeps some records. The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable even if the record is not found. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For records from before 1952 or after 1996, the Dawson County Probate Court is the only source.

The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds historical marriage records on microfilm. This is helpful for genealogy research involving older Dawson County marriages. FamilySearch has free online indexes for Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967 that may include Dawson County records.

After the Wedding in Dawson County

Once the ceremony is done, the officiant signs the marriage license. The signed document must be returned to the Dawson County Probate Court within 30 days under Georgia law. The court records it and mails a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days from when the court gets the signed license.

The license is good for 60 days. If you do not use it in that time, it becomes void. You would need to reapply and pay the fee again in Dawson County. Georgia has no waiting period, so the ceremony can happen the same day you get the license. The officiant must be legally authorized under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30 to perform marriages in Georgia. This includes judges, ministers, and other designated officials.

Note: The Dawson County Probate Court cannot issue certified copies of the marriage record until the officiant returns the signed license.

Dawson County Marriage License Requirements

All Georgia counties follow the same marriage laws. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, a valid marriage requires both people to be able to contract, to enter an actual contract, and to follow state law. Neither person can have a living spouse from a prior marriage. Both must be of sound mind. The minimum age is 18 under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, with limited exceptions for 17-year-olds who have a court order of emancipation.

Residency matters for where you apply. If at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can get a license from any county. If neither person lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place. Dawson County is a popular destination for mountain weddings, so out-of-state couples apply here fairly often. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43, a marriage in another state holds the same legal weight in Georgia, but Georgia residents cannot go out of state to avoid Georgia's marriage laws.

Cities in Dawson County

Dawson County includes Dawsonville, the county seat. All residents of Dawson County apply for marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Dawsonville. The county is largely rural with no other incorporated cities. All marriage records for the area are held at the single Probate Court office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Dawson County in north Georgia. If you live near a border, confirm your county before applying for a marriage license.