Jenkins County Marriage Records Search

Jenkins County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Millen, Georgia. This court issues all marriage licenses for the county and keeps the records that come from them. If you want to search for a past marriage record or apply for a new license, the Jenkins County Probate Court is your first stop. Both people must appear together to apply for a license. Staff at the Millen courthouse can help you find older certificates and licenses on file. The state Vital Records office holds some records too, but only for a narrow time period.

Jenkins County Probate Court

The Jenkins County Probate Court on East Winthrope Avenue in Millen handles all marriage license applications. Both people who want to get married must show up in person. No mail-in option is available. The clerk goes through your paperwork, takes the fee, and gives you the license right then if everything looks good. A visit to the Jenkins County Probate Court usually takes well under an hour.

Walk-ins are welcome. No appointment is needed. Still, calling (478) 982-5581 before your visit is smart. It helps you make sure the office is open and that staff can see you. The Jenkins County Probate Court judge may also perform ceremonies. Ask about days that work when you call or visit. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30, probate judges in Georgia have the authority to officiate marriages.

Marriage License Fees in Jenkins County

A marriage license in Jenkins County costs between $56 and $77 if you have not done premarital counseling. That is the standard Georgia range under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. Couples who complete a qualifying education course of at least six hours pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 provides for this discount. Bring proof of the course when you apply at the Jenkins County Probate Court. The course must be done within 12 months of your application date.

Cash works everywhere. Money orders and certified checks are accepted too. Most Georgia probate courts do not take personal checks, and Jenkins County is likely the same. Give the office a call to check on credit and debit card options. All license fees are non-refundable.

How to Find Jenkins County Marriage Records

The quickest way to get a marriage record from Jenkins County is to visit the courthouse in Millen. Give the clerk the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. A certified copy costs $10. Staff search the files and hand you the record on the spot if it is there. Most requests at the Jenkins County Probate Court take only a few minutes.

Mail requests may also be accepted. Write to the Jenkins County Probate Court at 611 E Winthrope Ave, Millen, GA 30442. Include the full names, the marriage date, a money order for $10, and your return address. Call (478) 982-5581 for any questions about how to request records from Jenkins County.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. Their search fee is $10 and is not refundable. For Jenkins County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Millen is the only local source.

Jenkins County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court order of emancipation, and 15 days must have passed since the order was issued. Both people must come to the Jenkins County Probate Court in person. This rule has no exceptions.

You need a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, passport, and military ID all qualify. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. All documents must be in English, or you must provide a certified translation. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 requires both parties to be of sound mind and free from a prior un-dissolved marriage to get a license in Jenkins County. Georgia eliminated the blood test requirement on July 1, 2003.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Social Security numbers
• Divorce decree or death certificate if applicable
• Counseling certificate for the fee discount
• Certified translation for foreign documents

Ceremony and Recording in Jenkins County

Once you have the license, any authorized person can perform the wedding. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30 allows judges, ministers, and clergy to officiate. The license stays good for 60 days from the date it is issued at the Jenkins County Probate Court. If you do not use it in time, it becomes void.

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Jenkins County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. After the court receives the signed license, the marriage is recorded. A certified marriage certificate is then mailed to the couple. This mailing typically takes around 30 days. If you need the certificate before the mail arrives, visit the courthouse in Millen once the record has been entered and ask for a copy at $10 each.

Note: If the officiant fails to return the signed license within 30 days, the marriage is still valid, but you may face delays getting your Jenkins County marriage certificate.

Jenkins County Additional Resources

The Council of Probate Court Judges oversees all Georgia probate courts and offers standard forms on their site. The Georgia Probate Records website has an online marriage application that some counties accept before your in-person visit.

For historical records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has marriage files on microfilm covering many Georgia counties. FamilySearch offers a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The DPH fee schedule shows current costs for state-level record requests. The Georgia.gov marriage license page provides a simple guide to the entire process.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jenkins County. If the marriage was performed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Probate Court for records.