Search Lowndes County Marriage Records
Lowndes County marriage records are maintained by the Probate Court in Valdosta, Georgia. As the largest county in south-central Georgia, Lowndes handles a high volume of marriage license applications each year. The court on North Ashley Street issues licenses, stores completed certificates, and provides certified copies. If you need to find a marriage record or want to apply for a new license in Lowndes County, you can start the process online or visit the Probate Court in person. Call (229) 671-2650 for details on what to bring.
Lowndes County Quick Facts
Lowndes County Probate Court Office
The Probate Court in Lowndes County handles all marriage license matters for the county. Staff at the court can help with new applications, record searches, and certified copies of marriage certificates. The office is at 327 North Ashley Street in Valdosta. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Lowndes County offers an online marriage application. You can fill out the form through the Georgia Probate Records portal before your court visit. This cuts down on wait time at the counter. Both people still need to appear in person at the Lowndes County courthouse to get the actual license, but the online step speeds things up. Valdosta is close to the Florida border, and couples from north Florida sometimes get their marriage license in Lowndes County since Georgia has no waiting period.
The Georgia DPH marriage records page covers how state and county offices work together on marriage records.
The online application system lets you fill out your information ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the Lowndes County Probate Court.
| Address | 327 N. Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA 31601 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 671-2650 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Lowndes County Marriage License Process
Getting a marriage license in Lowndes County starts with the online application. Fill out the form on the Georgia Probate Records site and then visit the courthouse in Valdosta. Both people must come in together. Bring 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 your former spouse.
The standard license fee in Lowndes County is within the Georgia range of $56 to $77. Couples who finish at least six hours of premarital education pay $16 to $37 under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The counseling must come from a licensed professional or active clergy member. It must be done within 12 months of the application. Bring the signed certificate to the Lowndes County Probate Court when you apply.
Once issued, the license is good for 60 days. Georgia has no waiting period. You can hold your ceremony the same day. If you do not use the license within 60 days, it expires and you have to apply again in Lowndes County.
Find Lowndes County Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records in Lowndes County by calling the Probate Court at (229) 671-2650. Give the clerk the names and approximate date. They can check their files and let you know what is available. In-person visits to the courthouse in Valdosta also work well. Bring ID if you want certified copies.
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. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. For records before 1952 or after 1996, the Lowndes County Probate Court is the only source.
Historical records from Lowndes County are also available at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The archives holds microfilm copies of marriage documents going back to the 1800s. Researchers and genealogists often find these records helpful for family history work tied to Lowndes County.
Note: Marriage records from after August 1996 exist only at the Lowndes County Probate Court, not the state office in Atlanta.
Lowndes County Marriage Record Costs
Certified copies of marriage certificates from the Lowndes County Probate Court cost $10 each. Request them in person at the Valdosta office or by mail. For mail requests, send payment with the names and marriage date to 327 N. Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA 31601.
The state office charges a separate $10 search fee for records from 1952 to 1996. That fee is not refundable if no record is found. Extra copies from the state cost $5 each. Under O.C.G.A. 15-9-60, each county sets its license fee within the range allowed by state law. Lowndes County follows the standard Georgia rates for all marriage license applications.
Marriage License Rules in Lowndes County
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2 requires both people to be at least 18. A 17-year-old may marry with proof of court emancipation, with at least 15 days passed since the order. The older person cannot be more than four years older per O.C.G.A. 19-3-36. No one under 17 can get a marriage license in Georgia.
Georgia residents can apply at any county probate court. You do not have to live in Lowndes County to get a license in Valdosta. If neither person is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. The Lowndes County court accepts these IDs:
- State-issued driver's license or ID
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID card
- Original or certified birth certificate
- Immigration documents
Documents not in English need a certified translation. The clerk at the Lowndes County Probate Court checks all paperwork before issuing the license.
After Your Wedding in Lowndes County
The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Lowndes County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. This is required under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1. If the signed license is not filed, the marriage may not appear in Lowndes County records.
Once recorded, you get a certified marriage certificate by mail within about 30 days. This is the document you need for name changes at Social Security, DMV updates, and insurance changes. The Council of Probate Court Judges website has standard forms and guidance for follow-up matters after a marriage in Lowndes County.
Cities in Lowndes County
Valdosta is the county seat and largest city in Lowndes County. All marriage license applications go through the Probate Court in Valdosta regardless of where you live in the county.
Other communities in Lowndes County include Hahira, Lake Park, Remerton, and Dasher. All of them file marriage license applications at the Lowndes County Probate Court in Valdosta.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lowndes County. Check which county you live in before you apply for a marriage license.