Find Marriage Records in Liberty County
Liberty County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Hinesville, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses, stores signed certificates, and provides copies to the public. Many people in Liberty County are connected to Fort Stewart, and the court sees a steady flow of marriage license applications from military families. You can start the process online or visit the courthouse at 112 North Main Street in Hinesville. Call (912) 876-3635 to confirm what documents you need before your visit to the Liberty County Probate Court.
Liberty County Quick Facts
Liberty County Probate Court Office
The Probate Court in Liberty County handles every aspect of marriage records. Staff can help you file a new application, search for an old record, or get a certified copy of a marriage certificate. The office is on North Main Street in downtown Hinesville. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Liberty County stands out because it offers an online marriage application option. You can fill out the form ahead of time through the Georgia Probate Records portal before you visit the courthouse. This saves time at the counter. Both people still need to show up in person together to get the actual license, but the online step cuts down on wait time at the Liberty County Probate Court.
The Georgia.gov marriage license application page explains the statewide process and what every county requires.
That page covers everything from ID rules to fee ranges across all Georgia counties including Liberty County.
| Address | 112 N. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (912) 876-3635 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Getting a Marriage License in Liberty County
To get a marriage license in Liberty County, both people must appear at the Probate Court in Hinesville together. You cannot send someone in your place. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Military personnel stationed at Fort Stewart commonly use their military ID for this step. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse.
The standard license fee in Liberty County falls in the Georgia range of $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. Couples who complete at least six hours of premarital education pay between $16 and $37. That is a $40 discount under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The counseling must be from a licensed therapist, counselor, social worker, or active clergy member. It has to be done within 12 months of the application date. Bring the signed and notarized certificate to the Liberty County courthouse.
Your license is valid for 60 days after issue. There is no waiting period in Georgia, so you can hold the ceremony the same day you get your license in Liberty County. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must apply again.
Note: Georgia stopped requiring blood tests for marriage in 2003.
Search Liberty County Marriage Records
Call the Liberty County Probate Court at (912) 876-3635 to search for a marriage record. Give the clerk the names and the approximate date of the marriage. They can check their files and let you know what they have. You can also visit the courthouse in person to search. Bring a valid ID if you want certified copies.
For marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health may also have copies on file at their Atlanta office. The search fee is $10. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. In-person requests at a county vital records office can sometimes get same-day results. Records before 1952 or after 1996 are only at the Liberty County Probate Court.
Historical marriage records from Liberty County are also available at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The archives has documents on microfilm that go back well before the state started central recording. This is a good resource for genealogy or family history research in Liberty County.
Liberty County Marriage Record Costs
Certified copies of marriage certificates from the Liberty County Probate Court cost $10 each. You can pick them up in person or request by mail. For mail requests, include a check or money order with the names and marriage date. Send it to 112 N. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. Most courts in Georgia do not accept personal checks, so call first to ask about payment options.
The state vital records office in Atlanta has a separate $10 search fee for marriage records from 1952 to 1996. This fee is not refundable. Extra copies cost $5 each when ordered at the same time. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county probate court sets its own license fee within the range set by state law. Liberty County follows these standard Georgia rates for all marriage license applications.
Marriage License Rules for Liberty County
Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 to get a marriage license in Georgia. A 17-year-old may marry only with court-ordered emancipation, and 15 days must pass after the order is signed. The older person cannot be more than four years older under O.C.G.A. 19-3-36. No one under 17 can marry in Liberty County or anywhere else in Georgia.
Georgia residents can apply at any county probate court in the state. If you live in Liberty County but want to marry in Savannah, you can still get your license in Hinesville. If neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will happen. The Liberty County Probate Court accepts these ID types:
- State driver's license or ID card
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID (common in Liberty County)
- Original or certified birth certificate
- Immigration documents
Documents not in English need a certified translation. The clerk at the Liberty County Probate Court will review all paperwork before issuing the license.
After Your Wedding in Liberty County
Your officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the Liberty County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. This step is required under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1. If the signed license is not returned, the marriage may not appear in Liberty County records. Make sure your officiant knows they need to file it at the court in Hinesville.
Once the court records the signed license, you will get a certified marriage certificate by mail within about 30 days. This is the document you need for legal name changes, insurance updates, and bank account changes. The Council of Probate Court Judges standard forms page has forms you may need for related matters after your marriage in Liberty County.
Cities in Liberty County
Hinesville is the county seat and largest city in Liberty County. All marriage license applications go through the Probate Court in Hinesville regardless of which city you live in.
Other communities in Liberty County include Midway, Walthourville, Flemington, and Riceboro. All of them use the Liberty County Probate Court for marriage license matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Liberty County. Make sure you know which county you are in before you apply for a marriage license.