Lamar County Marriage Records

Lamar County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Barnesville, Georgia. The court handles all marriage license applications and stores the records on file. If you need to search for a past marriage record or get a new license, the Lamar County Probate Court is the place to start. Both people must come in together to apply. Court staff can help you find and copy older licenses and certificates that have been recorded in Lamar County. The state Vital Records office in Atlanta has some records too, but only for a short period between the 1950s and 1990s.

Lamar County Probate Court Details

The Lamar County Probate Court is in Suite 6 on Thomaston Street in Barnesville. This is where all marriage license applications are handled and where records are kept for the county. Both applicants must appear in person. No mail applications are accepted. The clerk checks your documents, collects the fee, and issues the license if all requirements are met.

You do not need to schedule a visit. Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours at the Lamar County Probate Court. A quick phone call to (770) 358-5155 can confirm that staff is available when you plan to come. The probate judge in Lamar County may also perform marriage ceremonies. Ask the clerk about available dates. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30, Georgia probate judges can officiate weddings.

Lamar County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Lamar County is between $56 and $77 without premarital counseling. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets this range. Couples who complete a premarital education course of at least six hours pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. That discount is found in O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. You must show a certificate of completion at the time you apply at the Lamar County Probate Court. The course needs to have been finished within 12 months before the application date.

Cash is the safest payment method. Money orders and certified checks are also accepted. Personal checks are generally not taken. Call the Lamar County Probate Court to ask whether credit or debit cards are an option before you make the drive. All fees are non-refundable.

Getting Lamar County Marriage Records

The simplest way to get a marriage record from Lamar County is to visit the Probate Court in Barnesville. Give the clerk the names and date of the marriage. A certified copy costs $10. Staff will search the files and hand you the record if it is on hand. This takes just a few minutes for most requests at the Lamar County courthouse.

You can also try a mail request. Write to the Lamar County Probate Court at 326 Thomaston St, Suite 6, Barnesville, GA 30204. Include the full names, marriage date, a money order for $10, and your return address. Call (770) 358-5155 with any questions about the process at the Lamar County office.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that window, the Lamar County Probate Court is your only local source. The state search fee is $10, and extra copies cost $5 each when ordered at the same time.

Lamar County Marriage License Requirements

Georgia law requires both people to be at least 18 years old to apply for a marriage license in Lamar County. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 sets this age limit. A 17-year-old may apply only with a court order of emancipation, and at least 15 days must pass since the order was issued. Both people must appear in person at the Lamar County Probate Court. There is no getting around this step.

You need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. All documents must be in English or come with a certified translation. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 requires that both parties be of sound mind and free from any prior un-dissolved marriage. Georgia has not required blood tests since July 1, 2003.

• Photo ID for both parties
• Social Security numbers
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Premarital counseling certificate for the fee reduction

The marriage license is valid for 60 days after it is issued. If you miss this window, the license expires and you must apply again at the Lamar County Probate Court. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can marry on the same day you get the license.

Ceremonies and Recording in Lamar County

After the license is issued, any authorized person can officiate. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30 allows judges, ministers, and clergy to perform ceremonies. The Lamar County Probate Court judge may also be available to officiate on certain days.

The person who performs the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Lamar County Probate Court within 30 days. Once the court receives the signed license, the marriage is recorded. A certified marriage certificate is mailed to the couple, which usually takes about 30 days. If you need the certificate faster, go to the courthouse in Barnesville once the record is entered and pay $10 for a copy.

Note: The officiant is responsible for returning the signed license to the Lamar County Probate Court, not the couple.

Lamar County Marriage Record Sources

The Georgia Probate Records website has an online marriage application tool that some Georgia counties use. This can speed up your visit to the Lamar County Probate Court by letting you fill out forms ahead of time.

For older marriage records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm files for many counties. FamilySearch keeps a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms for all 159 Georgia probate courts. The Georgia.gov marriage license page gives a solid overview of the whole process for anyone getting married in Lamar County or anywhere else in the state.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lamar County. If the marriage took place in a neighboring area, the Probate Court in that county will have the records.