Dooly County Marriage Records

Dooly County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Vienna, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and stores all recorded marriage certificates for the county. If you want to search for a past marriage record or need a certified copy, the Dooly County Probate Court is your main point of contact. Staff can help you find older licenses and certificates on file. For records from before 1952 or after 1996, this courthouse is the only source since the state office does not keep those Dooly County marriage files.

Dooly County Probate Court Details

The Dooly County Probate Court is on South 3rd Street in Vienna. This small office handles all marriage license and marriage record requests for folks in the county. Both people who want to get married have to show up in person. You can not apply by mail or send one person alone. The clerk checks your forms, takes the fee, and gives you the license right there if all your paperwork is correct.

Walk-ins are fine during normal business hours. No appointment is needed at the Dooly County Probate Court. If you call ahead, staff can let you know what to bring so your trip goes smoothly. Marriage ceremonies may also be held at the courthouse, though you should confirm this with the clerk before making plans.

Marriage License Fees in Dooly County

Dooly County uses Georgia's standard fee range for marriage licenses. Without premarital counseling, the cost is between $56 and $77. If both people take a qualifying six-hour course, the fee can drop to as low as $16 to $37. That reduction comes from O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. You need to bring the certificate of completion when you apply at the Dooly County Probate Court. The course must have been finished within 12 months before your visit.

Bring cash or a money order. Personal checks are not accepted at most Georgia probate courts. Call (229) 268-4234 to check on credit or debit card options at the Dooly County office. Planning your payment ahead of time will keep you from having to make a second trip to Vienna.

Note: All license fees are non-refundable, even if you decide not to use the license.

Getting Dooly County Marriage Records

You can get copies of marriage records from the Dooly County Probate Court in a few ways. The easiest route is to go to the courthouse in Vienna. Tell the clerk the names of both people and the date of the marriage. Ask for a certified copy. The fee is $10 per copy. Staff will pull up the file and print your record. Most requests take just a few minutes when the record is on file at the Dooly County courthouse.

Mail requests may also work. Write a note with the full names, date, and a money order for $10. Send it to the Dooly County Probate Court at 102 S 3rd St, Vienna, GA 31092. Put your return address on the note so they can send the record back. Phone requests for certified copies are not usually taken, but you can call to ask about what is possible.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds some marriage records from 1952 to 1996. For anything outside that time, the Dooly County Probate Court is where you need to look.

Dooly County Marriage License Requirements

Under Georgia law, both people must be at least 18 to get a marriage license. This is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of legal emancipation, and at least 15 days must have passed since the court order. The older party can not be more than four years older. Both people must come to the Dooly County Probate Court in person. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If you were married before, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. All documents must be in English. Foreign language papers need a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and not have a prior un-dissolved marriage to get a license in Dooly County.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Birth certificate or passport for proof of age
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Social Security number
• Premarital counseling certificate for reduced fee

The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not hold the ceremony in that window, the license becomes void and you have to start over at the Dooly County Probate Court.

Ceremonies and Recording in Dooly County

After you get the license, you need an authorized person to perform the ceremony. Judges, ministers, and clergy are all allowed under Georgia law. The Dooly County Probate Court may also perform ceremonies. Call ahead to confirm this.

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Dooly County Probate Court within 30 days. Once the court has the signed license, they record the marriage and mail a certified certificate to the couple. This takes around 30 days. If you need the certificate sooner, visit the Vienna courthouse once the record has been entered.

Dooly County Marriage Record Sources

You can start the process online through the Georgia Probate Records website, which lets you fill out a marriage application before visiting the Dooly County Probate Court.

The Georgia.gov marriage license page gives a clear overview of the steps to apply for a license in any county. The Council of Probate Court Judges has standard forms used by all 159 county courts. For older Dooly County records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow keeps marriage records on microfilm for many Georgia counties.

State Records for Dooly County

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. If the record you need falls in that time frame, you can request a copy from the state Vital Records office in Atlanta. The search fee is $10 and non-refundable. Extra copies cost $5 each. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. You can also visit the office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 for same-day results if the record is found.

For Dooly County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Vienna is the sole source. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60, each county probate court sets its own fees within the range the state allows. Always confirm the current cost with the Dooly County office before sending any payment. You can also request a marriage verification for any marriage from January 1, 2014 onward through the state verification form.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dooly County. If you are not sure where the marriage took place, check with one of these nearby Probate Courts for the right marriage records.