Search Laurens County Marriage Records

Laurens County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Dublin, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and stores all recorded marriage files for the county. Both applicants must appear together to get a license. You can search for past marriage records at the Laurens County courthouse or contact the clerk's office by phone. Staff can pull copies of licenses and certificates that have been filed over the years. Dublin is the largest city in Laurens County, and the courthouse sees a steady flow of marriage license requests throughout the year.

Laurens County Probate Court

The Laurens County Probate Court is on North Jefferson Street in Dublin. Both people who want to get married must show up in person to apply. No one else can go for you, and mail-in applications are not accepted. The clerk checks all your documents, takes the fee, and issues the license on the spot if everything is in order. Most visits to the Laurens County Probate Court for a marriage license take well under an hour.

Walk-ins are accepted during business hours. You do not need an appointment. A phone call to (478) 272-2566 before your trip can save time. The Laurens County Probate Court judge may perform marriage ceremonies too. Ask the clerk about availability when you call. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30, Georgia probate judges have the authority to officiate marriages.

Laurens County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Laurens County costs between $56 and $77 without premarital counseling. O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets this range for all Georgia counties. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education course of at least six hours pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. This discount is provided under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The course must be finished within 12 months before the application date, and you need to bring the completion certificate to the Laurens County Probate Court when you apply.

Plan to pay with cash, a money order, or a certified check. Personal checks are not accepted at most Georgia probate courts, and Laurens County follows the same practice. Call ahead to confirm whether credit or debit cards are taken at the Laurens County Probate Court.

Note: All license fees at the Laurens County Probate Court are non-refundable, even if the license expires without being used.

How to Get Laurens County Marriage Records

The quickest way to get a marriage record from Laurens County is to visit the Probate Court in Dublin. Bring the names and date of the marriage. Ask the clerk for a certified copy. The fee is $10 per copy. If the record is on file, the staff can have it ready in minutes. This is the most direct route for Laurens County marriage records.

Mail requests are also an option. Write to the Laurens County Probate Court at 101 N Jefferson St, Dublin, GA 31021. Include the full names of both spouses, the marriage date, a money order for $10, and your return address. For questions, call (478) 272-2566. Phone requests for certified copies are not usually accepted, but the clerk can tell you what other options the Laurens County office may offer.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. The search fee is $10. It is non-refundable. Extra copies are $5 each when ordered at the same time. For Laurens County marriages outside that time period, the Probate Court in Dublin is the only source.

Laurens County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 to apply for a marriage license in Laurens County. This rule is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old may apply only with a court order of emancipation, and at least 15 days must have passed since the order. Both applicants must appear in person at the Laurens County Probate Court. No exceptions exist for this.

Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. If either person has been married before, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse is needed. Documents not in English must have 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. Georgia has not required blood tests for marriage since July 1, 2003, so no lab work is needed to get a license in Laurens County.

• Valid photo ID for both applicants
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Premarital counseling certificate for the reduced fee
• Certified translation for foreign language documents

The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires and you must apply again at the Laurens County Probate Court. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can hold the ceremony on the same day you pick up the license.

Ceremony and Recording in Laurens County

After you get the license, any authorized person can perform the ceremony. Judges, ministers, and clergy can all officiate under Georgia law per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30. The Laurens County Probate Court judge may also be available to officiate on select days.

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Laurens County Probate Court within 30 days of the wedding. Once the court gets the signed license, the marriage is recorded. A certified marriage certificate is mailed to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days. If you want it faster, visit the Dublin courthouse once the record has been entered and ask for a copy at $10 each.

Laurens County Marriage Record Resources

The Council of Probate Court Judges keeps standard forms for all Georgia probate courts, including the one in Laurens County. Their website has links to forms and guides that can help you prepare for your visit.

The Georgia Probate Records website lets you fill out a marriage application online before your trip to the Laurens County Probate Court. For old records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has marriage files on microfilm for many counties. FamilySearch keeps a free index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967. The DPH fee schedule lists costs for state-level requests. The Georgia.gov marriage license page gives a clear overview of the whole process.

State Records for Laurens County

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. If the Laurens County marriage you need falls in that range, you can request a copy from the state Vital Records office. Mail requests to 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 take 8 to 10 weeks. In-person visits may get same-day results.

For Laurens County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Dublin is the only option. The state does not keep those files. Marriage verifications are available from the state for any marriage on or after January 1, 2014.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Laurens County. If the marriage was performed in a neighboring county, contact the Probate Court there for the right records.