Long County Marriage Records Lookup

Long County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Ludowici, Georgia. This rural county in southeast Georgia processes all marriage license applications through one office on North Macon Street. If you want to search for a past marriage record or apply for a new license in Long County, call the Probate Court at (912) 545-2131 to check on hours and required documents. Both parties must appear in person at the Long County courthouse to complete a marriage license application.

Long County Probate Court

The Probate Court at 38 North Macon Street in Ludowici is the single office that handles marriage records in Long County. The court issues new licenses, keeps completed certificates on file, and provides copies to the public. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Long County sits next to Liberty County and Fort Stewart. Some residents who work on the military base use the Long County Probate Court for marriage licenses rather than driving to Hinesville. The court staff can guide you through the application process and answer questions about what forms of ID they accept. Call ahead to check if you need an appointment or if walk-ins are fine at the Long County office.

You can learn more about the statewide process on the Georgia.gov marriage license page, which covers rules that apply in all 159 counties.

The Georgia Probate Records system allows some counties to process marriage applications online before the in-person visit.

Getting a Marriage License in Long County

Both people must show up at the Long County Probate Court in Ludowici at the same time. You cannot send someone else. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse.

The license fee in Long County is in the standard Georgia range of $56 to $77 without counseling. Couples who complete at least six hours of premarital education pay $16 to $37. This discount is set by O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The program must come from a licensed counselor, therapist, or active clergy member. Bring proof of completion to the court in Ludowici.

Your marriage license from Long County is valid for 60 days. There is no waiting period in Georgia. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time at the Long County Probate Court.

Note: No blood test is needed for a marriage license in Georgia since July 2003.

How to Search Long County Marriage Records

Call the Long County Probate Court at (912) 545-2131 to search for a marriage record. Give the clerk the full names and a rough date. They can look through their files and tell you what is available. You can also go to the courthouse in Ludowici to search in person.

For records from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health may have copies at their Atlanta office. The search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. Records outside that time frame are only at the Long County Probate Court.

The Georgia Archives in Morrow has historical marriage documents on microfilm from many Georgia counties. Long County records from before 1952 may be available there. This is useful for genealogy and family history research going back to the 1800s.

Long County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each at the Long County Probate Court. You can request them in person or by mail. Mail requests should go to 38 N. Macon Street, Ludowici, GA 31316. Include payment and the names and date of the marriage you need. Call the court to check which payment methods they accept.

Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each Georgia county sets its own license fee within the range that state law allows. Long County uses the standard Georgia rates. The state vital records office charges a separate $10 fee for searches of records from 1952 to 1996. Extra copies from the state cost $5 each when ordered at the same time.

Long County Marriage Requirements

Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both people need to be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can only marry with court-ordered emancipation, and 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 Georgia at all.

Georgia residents can apply at any county probate court. You do not have to live in Long County to get a license there. If neither person is a Georgia resident, apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. The Long County Probate Court accepts valid photo ID including state licenses, passports, military IDs, and birth certificates. Documents in a language other than English require a certified translation.

After the Ceremony in Long County

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Long County Probate Court within 30 days. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, the marriage needs both a valid contract and proper recording to be official. The couple gets a certified marriage certificate by mail once the court records the signed license. This usually takes about 30 days.

The marriage certificate is what you need for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal matters. If the signed license is not filed with the court, your marriage may not show in Long County records. The Georgia Probate Court standard forms page has forms you might need for follow-up matters.

Cities in Long County

Ludowici is the county seat of Long County. There are no cities in Long County with a population over 25,000. All marriage license applications and record requests go through the Probate Court in Ludowici.

Nearby Counties

Long County borders several other counties. Verify your address before applying for a marriage license to make sure you go to the correct court.