Houston County Marriage Records

Houston County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Perry, Georgia. Judge Kristen Warren Harris oversees the office, and Chief Clerk Kim Willson manages day-to-day operations. The court handles all marriage license applications and stores completed marriage records for the county. If you need to search for a marriage certificate or apply for a new license in Houston County, the Probate Court at the Judicial Complex on North Perry Parkway is where you start. Staff can help with new and old marriage records alike.

Houston County Probate Court

The Houston County Probate Court is the central office for all marriage license and marriage record needs in the county. Judge Kristen Warren Harris leads the court. Chief Clerk Kim Willson and the staff handle the day-to-day work of processing license applications and keeping records. The office is at the Judicial Complex on North Perry Parkway in Perry.

Both people who plan to marry must come to the Houston County Probate Court together. Applications are done on-site. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-ins are taken during these hours. Bring everything you need on your first visit so you do not have to come back. The staff at the Houston County Probate Court can process the license while you wait if all your documents are in order.

Houston County is home to Warner Robins and Robins Air Force Base. The county sees a steady volume of marriage license applications given its size and population. The court handles each application with care and keeps clear records on file for years to come.

Houston County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Houston County is $77 without premarital counseling. With a qualifying course, the fee drops to $37. That saves you $40. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, the class must be at least six hours long and done within 12 months before you apply. A licensed counselor, therapist, social worker, or active clergy member must lead it. Bring the original premarital education certificate with proper signatures to get the lower rate at the Houston County Probate Court.

The Houston County office accepts cash, money orders, and debit or credit cards. They take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. There are two things the Houston County Probate Court does not accept: personal checks and bills larger than $50 or $100. Plan your payment ahead of time. The fee is set by O.C.G.A. 15-9-60 and applies to all marriage license applications at the Houston County Probate Court.

Note: All license fees at the Houston County Probate Court are non-refundable.

Marriage Ceremonies in Houston County

Houston County offers two ways to get married at the courthouse. Judge Harris performs individual marriage ceremonies on the last Friday of each month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is also a group ceremony on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00 PM. You must already have your marriage license in hand before you can schedule a ceremony at the Houston County Probate Court.

To book a ceremony, go to the Houston County ceremony booking page and pick a time slot. These spots fill up, so book early. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license. The signed license must come back to the Houston County Probate Court within 30 days. Once it is recorded, the court mails a certified marriage certificate to the couple. That process takes about 30 days after the signed license arrives.

How to Get Houston County Marriage Records

You can get certified copies of marriage records from the Houston County Probate Court in person or by mail. In person, go to the Judicial Complex in Perry. Give the clerk the names and date of the marriage. The fee is $10 per certified copy. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Most in-person requests are done while you wait.

To request copies by mail, send a written note with the bride's maiden name, the groom's name, the date of marriage, the number and type of copies you want, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a money order for the total amount, and a copy of your photo ID to the Houston County Probate Court at P.O. Box 1801, Perry, GA 31069. You can also order copies online through VitalChek, which charges extra processing fees on top of the standard copy cost.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For Houston County marriages outside that range, the Probate Court in Perry is the only source. The state search fee is $10 and is non-refundable.

Houston County Marriage License Rules

Both people must appear in person at the Houston County Probate Court to apply. Bring a picture ID. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of emancipation and the conditions set by O.C.G.A. 19-3-36. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.

If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or a death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and have no living spouse from a prior un-dissolved marriage. At least one person must be a Georgia resident to apply in Houston County. If both parties are non-residents, they must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. The license must be returned to the Houston County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony.

• Picture ID for both parties
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Premarital education form for the $37 reduced fee
• Payment in cash, money order, or debit/credit card

Georgia has no waiting period. The license is good for 60 days from the date the Houston County Probate Court issues it. After 60 days, it expires and you have to apply again.

Houston County Record Sources

The Houston County marriage license page has all the details about fees, requirements, and how to apply. The Probate Court main page lists contact info and hours for the office in Perry.

The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you search for recorded marriage licenses from participating counties. The Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of old marriage records from many Georgia counties. FamilySearch has a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The Council of Probate Court Judges keeps standard forms used by all 159 county probate courts.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes the city of Warner Robins, which is the largest city in the county. All marriage license and marriage record matters for cities in Houston County go through the Probate Court in Perry.

Other cities in Houston County include Centerville and Perry itself. All marriage records for these areas are filed at the Houston County Probate Court at the Judicial Complex on North Perry Parkway.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Houston County. If you need marriage records from outside Houston County, check with the Probate Court in the right county.