Jefferson County Marriage Records

Jefferson County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Louisville, Georgia. The court handles all marriage license applications and keeps the records on file for the county. Both people who plan to marry must appear in person to apply. You can search for a past marriage record at the Jefferson County courthouse or reach out by phone to ask what is available. Staff can pull copies of older licenses and certificates. For records from a limited date range, the Georgia Department of Public Health also holds some files, but for most Jefferson County records the Probate Court is where to go.

Jefferson County Probate Court Details

The Jefferson County Probate Court sits on East Broad Street in Louisville. This is the office for all marriage license and marriage record business in the county. Both applicants must come in together. The clerk reviews documents, collects the fee, and issues the license on the spot if everything passes review. Visits at the Jefferson County Probate Court rarely take more than an hour.

No appointment is needed. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours. A quick phone call before your visit can help make sure the office is not closed for lunch or a holiday. The Jefferson County Probate Court may also perform marriage ceremonies. Check with the clerk on which days work for this. Georgia law gives probate judges the power to officiate under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.

Louisville is a small town, so parking near the courthouse is usually easy. There are no meters or time limits on most spots near the Jefferson County Probate Court.

Marriage License Fees in Jefferson County

The fee for a marriage license in Jefferson County is between $56 and $77 without premarital counseling. This is the standard Georgia range under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. Couples who take a qualifying six-hour premarital course pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. That discount is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. Show the course certificate when you apply at the Jefferson County Probate Court. The course must be completed within 12 months of your application.

Cash, money orders, and certified checks are accepted. Personal checks are not taken at most Georgia probate courts, and Jefferson County follows this pattern. Call (478) 625-3258 to ask about credit or debit card payments before your trip.

Note: Marriage license fees at the Jefferson County Probate Court are non-refundable regardless of whether you use the license.

How to Get Jefferson County Marriage Records

Visit the Probate Court in Louisville for the quickest access to marriage records. Bring the names and date of the marriage. Ask for a certified copy. Each copy costs $10. If the record is on file, staff can pull it in minutes. This is the most direct way to get a Jefferson County marriage record.

Mail requests are another option. Write to the Jefferson County Probate Court at 202 E Broad St, Louisville, GA 30434. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of the ceremony, a money order for $10, and your return address. The office will mail the copy back to you. For questions, call (478) 625-3258.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. The search fee is $10 and non-refundable. Records outside this range must come from the Jefferson County Probate Court.

Jefferson County Marriage License Requirements

Georgia law controls who can get a marriage license. Both people must be 18 or older under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A person who is 17 may apply only after being legally emancipated, and at least 15 days must pass since the court order. Both applicants must go to the Jefferson County Probate Court in person.

Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If either person was previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse is needed. Documents not in English require a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and free from any prior un-dissolved marriage. Georgia dropped its blood test requirement on July 1, 2003.

• Photo ID for both applicants
• Social Security numbers
• Proof of dissolution if previously married
• Premarital counseling certificate for reduced fee
• Certified translation for foreign documents

The license is good for 60 days. After that it expires and you must reapply. There is no waiting period in Georgia, so you can hold the ceremony right after getting the license from the Jefferson County Probate Court.

After the Wedding in Jefferson County

The officiant signs the license and sends it back to the Jefferson County Probate Court within 30 days. Once filed, the court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. That process takes about 30 days. If you need the certificate sooner, go to the Louisville courthouse once the record is entered and ask for a copy.

Any authorized person can officiate in Georgia. Judges, ministers, and clergy all qualify under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30. The Jefferson County Probate Court judge may also perform ceremonies on select days. Ask the clerk for details when you pick up your license.

Jefferson County Marriage Record Sources

The Georgia.gov marriage license page outlines the steps for all counties, including Jefferson County. It covers what to bring, who can apply, and how the license works from start to finish.

The Council of Probate Court Judges keeps standard forms that all 159 Georgia probate courts use. The Georgia Probate Records site has an online marriage application tool that some counties accept. For historical research, the Georgia Archives has microfilm records for many counties. FamilySearch also provides a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967 that may cover Jefferson County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. If the marriage was in a neighboring area, reach out to the Probate Court in that county for records.