Lee County Marriage Records Search
Lee County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Leesburg, Georgia. The court handles all marriage license applications and stores completed certificates for the county. If you need to find a marriage record or apply for a new license in Lee County, the Probate Court on Leslie Highway is where you start. Both people must show up in person to get a license. You can call ahead at (229) 759-6006 to check what you need to bring and confirm hours before making the trip to Leesburg.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Probate Court
The Probate Court is the only office in Lee County that handles marriage records. Staff at the court can help you apply for a new license, look up a past record, or get a certified copy of a marriage certificate. The office sits at 100 Leslie Highway in Leesburg. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are fine for most services at the Lee County court.
Marriage license work makes up a big part of what the Lee County Probate Court does each day. The court also handles wills, estates, and firearm permits, but marriage licenses and certificates are among the most common requests. If you live in Lee County or plan to hold a ceremony here, this is the court you deal with. Georgia law gives probate courts in each of the 159 counties full control over marriage license matters, and Lee County is no different in that regard.
The Georgia Department of Public Health marriage records page explains how the state and county offices work together on vital records.
This state page covers how to request marriage records from both the county Probate Court and the state vital records office in Atlanta.
| Address | 100 Leslie Highway, Leesburg, GA 31763 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 759-6006 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Marriage Licenses in Lee County
Getting a marriage license in Lee County starts with a visit to the Probate Court. Both people must come in at the same time. You cannot send someone else in your place. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or military ID. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The court staff will check your paperwork and process the application while you wait.
The license fee in Lee County follows the standard Georgia range of $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. Couples who finish at least six hours of premarital education from a licensed counselor or active clergy member pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. This discount comes from O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, which gives a $40 break to couples who complete the program. The counseling has to be done within 12 months of your application date. Bring the signed certificate to the Lee County Probate Court when you apply.
Once issued, your Lee County marriage license is good for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires and you have to start over. Georgia has no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony the same day you get the license.
How to Find Lee County Marriage Records
The fastest way to search for a marriage record in Lee County is to call the Probate Court at (229) 759-6006. Give the clerk the names of the parties and the approximate date. They can check their files and tell you what they have. For records from June 1952 through August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta may also have a copy.
The Georgia Probate Records portal is an online system that many Georgia counties use for marriage applications. Some counties also post recorded license data there. Check with the Lee County Probate Court to see if they use this system for record lookups. Filing the application online before your court visit can save time.
For historical marriage records from Lee County, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has documents on microfilm going back to the 1800s. These cover the period before the state started central record keeping in 1952. Researchers looking at family history or genealogy often find what they need at the archives.
Note: Marriage records from after August 1996 are only available at the Lee County Probate Court where the license was issued.
Lee County Marriage Record Fees
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each at the Lee County Probate Court. You can pick them up in person or request them by mail. For mail requests, send a check or money order along with the names and date of the marriage to the court at 100 Leslie Highway, Leesburg, GA 31763. Most offices do not accept personal checks, so call first to confirm what forms of payment Lee County takes.
The state vital records office charges a $10 search fee for marriage record requests sent by mail. That fee is not refundable even if the record is not found. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county sets its own license fee within the range allowed by state law. Lee County follows the standard rates set by Georgia for marriage license applications.
Marriage Rules in Lee County
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2 says both people must be at least 18 to get a marriage license. A 17-year-old can marry only with proof of court-ordered emancipation. At least 15 days must pass after the emancipation order is signed. The older person in that case cannot be more than four years older under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.
Residency is not a strict rule for Lee County. If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can apply for a license at any probate court in the state. That means you do not have to live in Lee County to get your license there. But if neither person is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Both parties must be present and bring valid ID. The Lee County Probate Court accepts these forms:
- Georgia or other state driver's license
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID card
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Immigration papers
If your prior marriage ended in divorce, bring the final decree. For a deceased former spouse, bring the death certificate. Any documents not in English need a certified translation. The clerk at the Lee County Probate Court reviews all paperwork before the license is issued.
After the Ceremony in Lee County
The person who performs your wedding must sign the marriage license and return it to the Lee County Probate Court within 30 days. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, a valid marriage in Georgia needs both a proper contract and recording under state law. Once the court records the signed license, the marriage is part of the official Lee County files.
You will get a certified marriage certificate by mail from the Lee County Probate Court, usually within 30 days of recording. This certificate is the document you need for name changes with the Social Security Administration, updates to your driver's license at the DMV, and changes to insurance or bank accounts. If the officiant does not return the signed license to the court, the marriage may not show up in Lee County records. Make sure your officiant knows they must file it at the Probate Court in Leesburg.
Georgia Marriage Resources for Lee County
Several state offices can help with Lee County marriage records beyond the local court. The State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. The search fee is $10 and mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process.
The Council of Probate Court Judges provides standard forms used across all Georgia counties, including Lee County. You can download marriage application forms and other court documents from their site. The standard forms page has the specific documents you might need.
Note: The state vital records office cannot make changes to a marriage certificate. Contact the Lee County Probate Court directly for corrections.
Cities in Lee County
Leesburg is the county seat and the main city in Lee County. All marriage license applications go through the Probate Court in Leesburg. There are no cities in Lee County with a population over 25,000, so all marriage records are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
These counties sit near Lee County. If you live close to a county line, make sure you know which county you are in before applying for a marriage license.