Lincoln County Marriage Records

Lincoln County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Lincolnton, Georgia. This small county along the South Carolina border handles all marriage license applications through one office on Humphrey Street. If you need a marriage record from Lincoln County or want to apply for a new license, the Probate Court staff can walk you through the steps. Call (706) 359-5528 to ask about hours and what to bring. Both people must come in together to get a license in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Probate Court

The Probate Court is the only office in Lincoln County that deals with marriage licenses and marriage records. The court sits at 210 Humphrey Street in Lincolnton. Staff there can help you apply for a license, look up a past marriage record, or get a certified copy. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Lincoln County is one of the smaller counties in Georgia. The Probate Court handles a range of duties beyond marriage records, including wills, estate matters, and firearm permits. But marriage license applications are a regular part of daily work at this court. Because it is a smaller office, you may want to call ahead to make sure the clerk is available when you plan to visit Lincoln County for a marriage license.

The Georgia DPH marriage records page explains how state and county offices share duties on vital records across Georgia.

This online portal is used by many Georgia counties for marriage applications and record searches.

Marriage Licenses in Lincoln County

Both people must appear at the Lincoln County Probate Court in Lincolnton to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or military ID all work. If you were married before, you need to show your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The clerk checks everything before they process the application.

The standard license fee in Lincoln County falls within the Georgia range of $56 to $77. Couples who do at least six hours of premarital counseling pay the reduced rate of $16 to $37 under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The education program must be done within 12 months of the application. Bring the signed certificate from your counselor or clergy member to the Lincoln County Probate Court when you apply.

Once the court issues your license, it stays valid for 60 days. Georgia has no waiting period, so you can have your ceremony right away. If the 60 days pass with no ceremony, the license is void and you must start the process over in Lincoln County.

Searching Lincoln County Marriage Records

The best way to find a marriage record in Lincoln County is to call the Probate Court at (706) 359-5528. Provide the names and an approximate date. The clerk can search and tell you what records are on file. You can also visit in person at the courthouse in Lincolnton.

Marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996 may also be on file with the Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta. The state charges a $10 search fee for those requests. Everything before 1952 and after 1996 stays only at the Lincoln County Probate Court. For very old marriage records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of historical documents from across the state.

The Georgia Probate Records online portal is another option. Some counties in Georgia use this system for marriage license applications and record lookups. Check with the Lincoln County court to see if they participate in the online system.

Note: Records from after 1996 are only held at the county Probate Court, not the state office.

Lincoln County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copies of marriage certificates from the Lincoln County Probate Court cost $10 each. You can get them in person or by mail. Mail requests go to 210 Humphrey Street, Lincolnton, GA 30817. Include a check or money order with the names and date of the marriage. Most Georgia courts do not take personal checks, so call the Lincoln County office first.

The state vital records office charges $10 for a search. That is not refundable even if they do not find the record. Additional copies at the same time cost $5 each. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county probate court in Georgia sets its own license fee within the allowed range. Lincoln County uses the standard rates.

Marriage Rules in Lincoln County

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2 requires both people to be at least 18. A 17-year-old can marry with proof of emancipation, but 15 days must pass since the court order. The older person cannot be more than four years older per O.C.G.A. 19-3-36.

If at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can apply for a license at any probate court in the state. You do not have to live in Lincoln County to get a license there. If neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony takes place. The clerk reviews all ID and documents before issuing the license in Lincoln County.

After the Wedding in Lincoln County

The person who performs your ceremony must sign the marriage license and return it to the Lincoln County Probate Court within 30 days. This is required by Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1. Once the court records the signed license, it becomes part of the official Lincoln County files.

You will get a certified marriage certificate by mail from the court, usually within 30 days of recording. This certificate is what you use for name changes at the Social Security office and the DMV. It is also needed for insurance and bank account updates. If the officiant does not return the signed license, the marriage may not be on file in Lincoln County. The Council of Probate Court Judges website has standard forms and guidance for all Georgia counties.

Cities in Lincoln County

Lincolnton is the county seat and main community in Lincoln County. There are no cities in Lincoln County with a population over 25,000. All marriage records are handled at the county Probate Court in Lincolnton.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Lincoln County. Check your address before applying for a marriage license to make sure you go to the right court.