Early County Marriage Records

Early County marriage records are maintained by the Probate Court in Blakely, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and keeps all recorded certificates for the county. Whether you want to apply for a new marriage license or search for an old record, the Early County Probate Court on Court Square is where you go. Staff can help you find copies of past licenses and certificates that are on file. For records from before 1952 or after 1996, the Early County courthouse is the only source since the state does not hold those marriage files.

Early County Probate Court

The Early County Probate Court sits at 111 Court Square in Blakely. This office handles all marriage license and marriage record needs for the county. Both people who want to get married must appear in person. You can not send just one person or handle things by mail. The clerk reviews your paperwork, takes the fee, and gives you the license on the spot if all is in order. Most visits to the Early County Probate Court are quick.

Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours. You do not need to make an appointment. Calling ahead is a good idea if you want to make sure the office is staffed and ready to help when you get there.

Marriage License Fees in Early County

Early County follows Georgia's standard fee range for marriage licenses. Without premarital counseling, the cost is between $56 and $77. With a qualifying course, the fee can drop to the $16 to $37 range. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 sets this discount. You need to bring a certificate showing you finished at least six hours of premarital education within the last 12 months when you apply at the Early County Probate Court.

Cash and money orders are the safest forms of payment to bring. Personal checks are not accepted at most Georgia probate courts. Call (229) 723-3004 to confirm what forms of payment Early County takes right now. If you plan to pay with a card, check ahead of time so you are not caught off guard.

Note: License fees are non-refundable even if you never use the license.

How to Get Early County Marriage Records

The simplest way to get a marriage record is to visit the Early County Probate Court in Blakely. Give the clerk the full names of both people and the date of the marriage. Ask for a certified copy. The fee is $10 per copy. Staff will search and print the record for you. Most requests at the Early County courthouse take just a few minutes when the file is on hand.

If you can not go in person, try a mail request. Send a note with the full names, date of the marriage, and a money order for $10 to the Early County Probate Court at 111 Court Square, Blakely, GA 39823. Put your return address on it. The court will mail the certified copy back to you. Phone requests for certified copies are not usually accepted, but you can call to ask about other ways to get records from Early County.

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

Early County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old may get a license only with proof of legal emancipation. 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 show up at the Early County Probate Court in person.

Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. If you were married before, you need a certified divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and free of a prior un-dissolved marriage to get a license in Early County. All documents must be in English. Foreign language papers need a certified translation.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Proof of age such as a birth certificate
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Social Security number
• Premarital counseling certificate for reduced fee

The Early County marriage license is valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not take place in that time, the license becomes void and you must reapply and pay again.

Ceremonies and Recording in Early County

Once you have the license, any authorized person can do the ceremony. Georgia law allows judges, ministers, and clergy to officiate. The Early County Probate Court may also perform ceremonies. Call ahead to ask about available days.

The person who does the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Early County Probate Court within 30 days. Once the court gets it back, they record the marriage and mail a certified certificate to the couple. This takes about 30 days from when the signed license arrives at the court in Blakely. If you need the certificate sooner, go to the courthouse and ask for a copy once the record is in the system.

Early County Marriage Record Sources

The Georgia Probate Records website lets you fill out a marriage application online before your visit to the Early County Probate Court in Blakely.

The Georgia DPH fee schedule shows what the state charges for copies of vital records. The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms for all 159 county probate courts in Georgia. For older Early County records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has marriage records on microfilm for many counties. FamilySearch also has a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967.

State Records for Early County

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Early County marriage you need falls in that time, 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. In-person visits at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 can get same-day results.

For Early County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Blakely is your only option. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60, each county sets its own fees within the range allowed by the state. Always confirm costs with the Early County office before sending payment.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Early County. If the marriage happened in a nearby area, check with one of these Probate Courts.