Hancock County Marriage Records

Hancock County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Sparta, Georgia. The office handles both new marriage license applications and requests for copies of past marriage records. If you need to search for a marriage certificate from Hancock County or want to apply for a license, the Probate Court on Broad Street in Sparta is where to start. Staff can help you with old and new filings. Hancock County keeps records going back many years, and the clerk can search for what you need while you wait.

Hancock County Probate Court

The Hancock County Probate Court takes care of all marriage license and marriage record matters for the county. The office is on Broad Street in Sparta, which is the county seat. Both people who want to get married must appear at this office together. No one can send just one party. The clerk reviews your documents, takes the fee, and gives you the license if everything checks out.

Walk-ins are fine during regular business hours. Calling first is a good idea, especially for a small county office like Hancock County. The staff can let you know what to bring and when someone will be free to help you. The Probate Court judge in Hancock County may perform ceremonies. Call to ask about what days and times work for that service.

Marriage License Fees in Hancock County

Hancock County follows the state fee structure for marriage licenses. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, the standard fee across Georgia ranges from $56 to $77. The exact amount can vary by county. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education course get a reduced rate. That discount brings the cost down to between $16 and $37 based on the local fee schedule at the Hancock County Probate Court.

The premarital education discount is set out in O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The course must be at least six hours. It has to be done within 12 months before you apply for the license. A licensed counselor, therapist, social worker, or active clergy member must lead the class. Bring the original completion certificate with proper signatures when you visit the Hancock County Probate Court. Most courts will not accept copies or scanned versions of the form.

Payment methods at the Hancock County office may include cash and money orders. Call (706) 444-6644 before your visit to check if they take credit or debit cards. Personal checks are often not accepted at Georgia probate courts.

How to Search Hancock County Marriage Records

The best way to get a marriage record from Hancock County is to visit the Probate Court in Sparta in person. Give the clerk the full names and date of the marriage. Ask for a certified copy. The fee is $10. Most requests are handled on the spot if the record is on file.

You can also request records by mail. Send a written note with the names of both parties, the marriage date, and a money order for $10 to the Hancock County Probate Court at 12630 Broad St, Sparta, GA 31087. Include your return address. Processing by mail can take a few weeks. For a quick check, call (706) 444-6644 to ask the Hancock County staff whether a record is on file before you make the trip or send a letter.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records before 1952 or after 1996, the Hancock County Probate Court is your only source. The state search fee is $10 and is not refundable even if the record is not found.

Hancock County License Requirements

Georgia law sets the rules for who can apply for a marriage license in Hancock County. Both people must be at least 18 years old under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. A 17-year-old can apply only if they have been legally emancipated and at least 15 days have passed since that court order. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36, the older party cannot be more than four years older than the younger one in that situation. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.

Both parties must go to the Hancock County Probate Court together. Bring valid photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. All papers must be in English or have a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both must be of sound mind and have no living spouse from a prior un-dissolved marriage.

• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Social Security number
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Premarital education form for the reduced fee

The license stays good for 60 days. Georgia has no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony the same day you pick up the license from the Hancock County Probate Court.

Hancock County Marriage Record Sources

The Georgia Probate Records site lets you search for recorded marriage licenses from counties that use this online system. Some Hancock County marriage records may be found here. You can also use the online marriage application to fill out forms before you visit the court, which saves time at the window.

For old records, the Georgia Archives has marriage records on microfilm from many Georgia counties. FamilySearch has a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The Council of Probate Court Judges posts standard forms used by all 159 county probate courts, and the state marriage verification form covers marriages from January 1, 2014 onward.

After the Ceremony in Hancock County

Once you have the license, any person authorized by Georgia law can perform the ceremony. This includes judges, ministers, and other clergy. The person who does the ceremony must sign the marriage license. They must then return it to the Hancock County Probate Court within 30 days.

After the court gets the signed license back, they record the marriage. The Hancock County Probate Court then mails a certified marriage certificate to the couple. This process usually takes about 30 days from the date the signed license comes back. If you need the certificate sooner, you can go to the courthouse in Sparta and ask for a copy once the record has been entered into the system.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to Hancock County. If you are not sure which county handled a particular marriage, check with the Probate Court in each nearby county.