Gwinnett County Marriage Records

Gwinnett County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Lawrenceville, Georgia. As one of the most populous counties in the state, Gwinnett County processes a large number of marriage license applications and record requests each year. The court issues licenses, keeps past certificates on file, and can provide certified copies. Judge Christopher A. Ballar leads the Gwinnett County Probate Court. This page covers the process for getting a license, finding old records, and requesting certified copies of Gwinnett County marriage records.

Gwinnett County Probate Court

The Gwinnett County Probate Court handles all marriage license and marriage record services for the county. The office is inside the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Marriage license applications are taken at the Vital Records office on the first floor, past the elevators on the judicial side of the building. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except on holidays. Both people must come in together. You can not send one person alone or apply by mail.

The court is led by Judge Christopher A. Ballar, with Associate Judges Sandra L. Pak and Elizabeth A. Strupe. Staff at the Gwinnett County Probate Court can help you with the license application, record searches, and certified copy requests. Because the county is large, the office can be busy. Plan to arrive early in the day if you can. Visit the Gwinnett County Probate Court website for more details about services and hours.

Gwinnett County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Gwinnett County is $56 without premarital counseling. With proof of a qualifying course, the fee drops to $16. That is a $40 savings. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 sets this discount across Georgia. The course must be at least six hours, done within 12 months of your application date, and run by a licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or active clergy member.

To get the reduced fee at the Gwinnett County Probate Court, you must present either a notarized letter or the original certificate of completion. The document needs to include: both applicants' full names, the date the course was completed, the number of hours, and the counselor's name, title, signature, address, and phone number. It must be on letterhead or notarized. No copies or scans are accepted for the discount at Gwinnett County.

The Gwinnett County Probate Court accepts cash, credit cards (Visa, Discover, MasterCard), personal checks, and money orders made out to the Gwinnett County Probate Court. No business checks or third-party checks are accepted.

Gwinnett County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 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 order, and the older person can not be more than four years older under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36. Both parties must appear in person at the Gwinnett County Probate Court. No exceptions.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, both must be of sound mind and free from a prior un-dissolved marriage. Foreign-language documents must include a certified English translation. If at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can get the license from any county probate court. If neither is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.

• Valid government-issued photo ID for both people
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Social Security number for each person
• Notarized premarital counseling certificate for the reduced fee

Free Wedding Ceremonies in Gwinnett County

The Gwinnett County Probate Court offers free wedding ceremonies every Friday afternoon. These are group ceremonies, so you may be married alongside other couples. The schedule is set by language. English ceremonies are at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM. The Spanish ceremony is at 2:00 PM. Reservations are required. Contact the Gwinnett County Probate Court to book a time.

You must have your marriage license in hand before you can schedule a ceremony. If you want a private ceremony, the court may not be able to offer that. Other options include any judge, minister, or authorized clergy member under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30. The Friday ceremonies are a popular choice for couples who want a quick, no-cost option in Gwinnett County.

How to Get Gwinnett County Marriage Records

You can get certified copies of marriage records from the Gwinnett County Probate Court. Walk in to the Vital Records office on the first floor at 75 Langley Drive. Give the clerk the names and date of marriage. The fee is $10 per certified copy. Staff search the records and print what you need. Call (770) 822-8250 for questions about certified copies at the Gwinnett County office.

For mail requests, send a check or money order for $10 made out to the Gwinnett County Probate Court, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to: Probate Court, Vital Records Division, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Include the names of both parties and the date of marriage. You can also order through VitalChek, but extra fees apply for that service.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds some marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Gwinnett County marriage is in that window, you can try the state office. The search fee is $10 and is non-refundable. For Gwinnett County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Lawrenceville is the only source.

After the Ceremony in Gwinnett County

The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the Gwinnett County Probate Court within 30 days. The court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. Allow up to 30 days after the court gets the signed license back. If you need the certificate sooner, visit the courthouse in Lawrenceville and check if the record has been entered.

The license is good for 60 days from the date of issue. Georgia has no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony right away. If the license is not used within 60 days, it becomes void and you must reapply and pay the fee again at the Gwinnett County Probate Court.

Gwinnett County Marriage Record Resources

The Gwinnett County marriage license page has full details on how to apply, fees, and ceremony schedules. The Council of Probate Court Judges oversees all 159 Georgia probate courts, including Gwinnett County.

The standard forms page from the Council has forms used by every court in the state. The Georgia Probate Records website lets you start a marriage application online before visiting the Gwinnett County Probate Court. For older records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of marriage records for many Georgia counties. FamilySearch has Georgia marriage indexes from 1808 to 1967 that may include Gwinnett County.

State Records for Gwinnett County

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If a Gwinnett County marriage is in that range, request a copy from the state Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The fee is $10. Extra copies cost $5 each. Walk-in visits can get same-day results. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks.

For marriage verifications on or after January 1, 2014, use the verification request form. For any Gwinnett County marriage records outside the 1952-1996 window, go to the Probate Court in Lawrenceville.

Cities in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County has many cities. All marriage records are filed through the Gwinnett County Probate Court in Lawrenceville, no matter which city you live in.

Other communities in Gwinnett County include Snellville, Lilburn, Norcross, Suwanee, Buford, and Dacula. All marriage records for these areas go through the Gwinnett County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Gwinnett County. If the marriage took place outside Gwinnett County, reach out to one of these Probate Courts for records.