Decatur County Marriage Records Search

Decatur County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Bainbridge, Georgia. The court issues new marriage licenses and maintains files of all recorded marriages in the county. Decatur County is in the southwestern corner of Georgia, close to the Florida state line, and has around 27,000 residents. The Probate Court on West Water Street is the only office that handles marriage license applications and records. If you are looking for an old marriage record or need to apply for a new license, the Decatur County Probate Court is where to start.

Decatur County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Decatur County is at 112 West Water Street in Bainbridge. Call (229) 248-3025 for 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.

To get a marriage license in Decatur County, both people must appear in person at the same time. Each person needs valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both applicants must be at least 18. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period. Once you get the license, you can marry the same day.

Because Decatur County is near the Florida border, some couples come from out of state. If neither person is a Georgia resident, the license must be issued in the county where the ceremony will take place. If at least one person lives in Georgia, the license can come from any of the state's 159 counties.

Decatur County Marriage License Fees

Decatur County follows the standard Georgia fee schedule for marriage licenses. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the fee without premarital counseling ranges from $56 to $77. With proof of qualifying premarital education, the fee drops to $16 to $37. The exact amount depends on local costs Decatur County adds to the state base.

To qualify for the reduced rate, both people must complete at least six hours of premarital counseling. The instructor must be a licensed professional counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active clergy member. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, the program must be finished within 12 months of the application. Bring the signed and notarized completion certificate to the Decatur County Probate Court when you apply.

The state fee schedule shows what the Department of Public Health charges for various vital records. County fees for marriage licenses are separate from state search fees.

How to Find Decatur County Marriage Records

All marriage records for Decatur County are at the Probate Court. Call the office or visit in person to request a search. You need the names of both parties and an approximate marriage date. Certified copies cost $10 each at most Georgia courts. Bring a valid ID if you pick up copies in person.

The Georgia Department of Public Health also has records from June 1952 through August 1996. You can request those from the DPH marriage records page. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Processing by mail takes 8 to 10 weeks. For anything before 1952 or after 1996, the Decatur County Probate Court in Bainbridge is the only source.

For historical research, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has marriage records on microfilm for many counties. FamilySearch provides free indexes for Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. These resources may include Decatur County records going back to the 1800s.

Note: The state office can verify that a marriage took place from January 2014 forward, but certified copies of records after 1996 are only at the county level.

After the Ceremony in Decatur County

After the wedding, the officiant signs the marriage license. The signed license must be returned to the Decatur County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the document and then mails a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the couple. This takes about 30 days from when the court gets the signed license back.

The license is valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license becomes void and you have to reapply. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can use the license right away. The officiant must be authorized to perform marriages under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30. Judges, ministers, and other designated officials all qualify. Until the signed license is returned, the Decatur County court cannot issue certified copies.

Marriage Laws for Decatur County

Georgia sets the same marriage rules for all 159 counties, and Decatur County follows them the same as everywhere else. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both people must be able to contract, enter an actual contract, and follow state law. Neither person can have a living spouse from an undissolved marriage. Both must be of sound mind.

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36, a 17-year-old may marry only with proof of emancipation. The older party cannot be more than four years older. Fifteen days must pass after the emancipation order before the court will issue a license. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia. These rules protect young people in Decatur County the same as in any other part of the state. O.C.G.A. 19-3-43 also states that a marriage in another state carries the same legal force in Georgia, but Georgia residents cannot go out of state to avoid the state's own marriage laws.

Cities in Decatur County

Decatur County includes Bainbridge, the county seat, along with smaller communities like Climax and Brinson. All residents of Decatur County go to the Probate Court in Bainbridge for marriage licenses and records. There are no other offices in the county that handle these matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Decatur County in southwest Georgia. Decatur County also borders Florida to the south. Make sure you know which county you are in before applying for a license.