Forsyth County Marriage Records

Forsyth County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Cumming, Georgia. The Forsyth County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for residents and for couples planning to hold a ceremony in the county. You can search for past marriage records, apply for a new license online, or visit the courthouse to get certified copies of older certificates. If you are looking for Forsyth County marriage records from any time period, the Probate Court is the main office to contact. Staff can help you find what you need and walk you through the steps for any request.

Forsyth County Probate Court

The Forsyth County Probate Court handles all marriage license and marriage record work in the county. This is an "Article 6" expanded jurisdiction court, which means it handles a wider range of cases than some other Georgia probate courts. For marriage records, the process is the same as any other county. Both people must show up in person. You can not send one person or apply entirely by mail for a new license at the Forsyth County Probate Court.

The office is at 100 West Courthouse Square, Suite 008, in Cumming. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. You need to arrive no later than 4:00 PM for marriage license service. This gives the staff enough time to process your forms before the office closes for the day. Walk-ins are taken, but starting your application online first can save you time at the Forsyth County courthouse.

The Forsyth County Probate Court website has general court information and links to the marriage license page.

Forsyth County Online Marriage Application

Forsyth County uses the Georgia Probate Records website for online marriage applications. You can fill out the form from home before you visit the court. The application stays in the system for up to 30 days. Both people still have to come to the Forsyth County Probate Court in person to finish the process, show their ID, and pay the fee. But filling out the form online first means less time at the counter.

The Forsyth County Probate Court website for marriage licenses has details about the online application and what to bring. Visit the Forsyth County marriage license page to see step-by-step instructions.

Recorded marriage licenses from Forsyth County are also viewable online through the Georgia Probate Records site. Keep in mind that copies you print from the website are not certified. You must go through the Forsyth County Probate Court to get an official certified copy.

Marriage License Fees in Forsyth County

Forsyth County follows standard Georgia rates for marriage licenses. The fee is typically between $56 and $76 without premarital counseling. Couples who take a qualifying premarital education course can save $40 on the license fee. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 sets this discount. The course must be at least six hours and done within 12 months before you apply. It needs to be led by a licensed counselor, social worker, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or active clergy member. Bring the original certificate when you visit the Forsyth County Probate Court.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each in Forsyth County. Call the court at (770) 781-2140 to ask about accepted payment methods before your visit. Many Georgia probate courts do not take personal checks. Plan to bring cash, a money order, or a credit card to avoid a second trip to the Forsyth County courthouse.

Forsyth County Marriage License Requirements

Both people need to be at least 18 years old under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of emancipation. At least 15 days must have passed since the court granted emancipation, and the older person can not be more than four years older than the minor. Both parties must appear in person at the Forsyth County Probate Court. 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 final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Documents not in English must come with a certified translation. 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 Forsyth County.

• Valid government-issued photo ID for both people
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Social Security number for each person
• Certified translation for any foreign-language documents
• Premarital counseling certificate for the reduced fee

The license is good for 60 days. Georgia has no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony the same day you get the license from the Forsyth County Probate Court.

How to Get Forsyth County Marriage Records

Visit the Probate Court in Cumming to get copies of marriage records. Give the clerk the names and the date of marriage, and ask for a certified copy. The fee is $10. Staff will search and print the record for you. Most requests are handled fast if the file is in the system at the Forsyth County courthouse.

You can also request copies by mail. Send a written note with the full names, the marriage date, and a money order for $10 to the Forsyth County Probate Court at 100 W Courthouse Square, Suite 008, Cumming, GA 30040. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. For marriages that took place between June 1952 and August 1996, you can also contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state search fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks through the state office.

Forsyth County Probate Court Resources

The Forsyth County Probate Court website has information on all services the court offers, not just marriage records. You can find links to forms, contact details, and hours on this page.

The Council of Probate Court Judges oversees all 159 probate courts in Georgia, including Forsyth County. Their site has standard forms used across the state. The standard forms page is useful if you need paperwork for your marriage license application. For historical records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has marriage records on microfilm for many Georgia counties. FamilySearch also has Georgia marriage indexes from 1808 to 1967 that may include Forsyth County entries.

State Records for Forsyth County

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If a Forsyth County marriage falls in that range, you can request a copy from the state Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The search fee is $10. Extra copies cost $5 each when ordered at the same time. Walk-in service can get same-day results when the record is found.

For Forsyth County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Cumming is the only source. The state does not have those files. You can request a marriage verification from the state for any marriage on or after January 1, 2014, using the verification request form.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. If the marriage took place outside Forsyth County, you may need to contact one of these Probate Courts for the right records.