Find Haralson County Marriage Records

Haralson County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Buchanan, Georgia. This office handles all marriage license applications and stores completed marriage records for the county. If you need to search for a past marriage certificate or apply for a new license in Haralson County, the Probate Court off GA Highway 120 is where you go. Court staff can help you look up old records, process new license requests, and provide certified copies of marriage certificates on file in the Haralson County system.

Haralson County Probate Court

The Haralson County Probate Court is the only office in the county that can issue a marriage license or give you a copy of a marriage record. The court is on GA Highway 120 in Buchanan. Both people who want to marry must come to this office in person. You cannot apply by mail or send just one party. Staff will check your ID, review your forms, take the fee, and issue the license if all is in order.

The Haralson County Probate Court accepts walk-ins during normal hours. Calling ahead is still a smart idea, since smaller courts sometimes close for lunch or have limited staff. A quick call to (770) 646-2005 can save you a wasted trip. The judge may also be able to perform marriage ceremonies at the courthouse. Ask when you call about days and times that work for that.

Haralson County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Haralson County falls within the state range. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60 allows counties to charge between $56 and $77. Couples who take a qualifying premarital education class pay less. The reduced rate drops to somewhere between $16 and $37 based on the county. O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 sets the rules for this discount. The class must last at least six hours. It needs to be done within 12 months before you apply. A licensed counselor, therapist, or active clergy member must lead it.

Bring the original premarital education form when you visit the Haralson County Probate Court. Copies and scans are not accepted at most courts. Payment options at the Haralson County office may include cash and money orders. Call the court to ask about cards since rules can change.

Note: License fees are non-refundable at the Haralson County Probate Court.

How to Get Haralson County Marriage Records

The fastest way to get marriage records from Haralson County is to visit the Probate Court in Buchanan. Bring the names and date of the marriage. A certified copy costs $10. The clerk will search while you wait. Most in-person requests are done in just a few minutes.

Mail requests are also possible. Send a written note with both names, the marriage date, and a money order for $10 to the Haralson County Probate Court at 4485 GA Hwy 120, Buchanan, GA 30113. Include your return address. Mail requests take longer to process, sometimes a few weeks. You can also call (770) 646-2005 to ask if a record is on file before you visit or write. That check is free and takes just a few minutes at the Haralson County Probate Court.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has some marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For Haralson County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Buchanan is the only place that has those records.

Haralson County Marriage License Rules

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both people must be 18 or older to get a marriage license in Haralson County. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of legal emancipation. At least 15 days must have passed since the court order. The older party cannot be more than four years older than the younger one. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36, no one under 17 can get a marriage license in Georgia.

Both parties must appear together at the Haralson County Probate Court. You need valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate. Documents not in English must have a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both must be of sound mind and free from a prior marriage that has not been ended by the court.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Social Security number for each party
• Divorce decree or death certificate if applicable
• Premarital education certificate for the lower fee
• Certified translation for non-English documents

The license is good for 60 days after the Haralson County Probate Court issues it. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can marry the same day.

Haralson County Record Sources

Several resources can help you find marriage records connected to Haralson County. The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you search recorded marriage licenses from many Georgia counties. The online marriage application there lets you fill out forms before your visit to save time.

For older records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow holds microfilm copies of marriage records from many counties. FamilySearch has a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The Council of Probate Court Judges publishes standard forms all 159 county probate courts use. You can also get a marriage verification from the state for marriages on or after January 1, 2014.

After the Ceremony in Haralson County

Once you have the license from the Haralson County Probate Court, any authorized person can perform the ceremony. Georgia allows judges, ministers, and clergy to officiate. The person who does the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Haralson County Probate Court within 30 days.

After the court gets the signed license back, they record the marriage and mail a certified certificate to the couple. This takes about 30 days. If you need it sooner, visit the courthouse in Buchanan and ask for a copy once the record is in the system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Haralson County. If the marriage took place outside Haralson County, you may need to check with one of these Probate Courts for marriage records.