Murray County Marriage Records

Murray County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Chatsworth, Georgia. The court handles all marriage license applications and stores completed records for the county. If you need to search for a marriage record, get a certified copy, or apply for a new license in Murray County, the Probate Court on 3rd Avenue is where you go. Both parties must show up in person to get a license. The court also helps with older record requests for people doing family research or those who need proof of a past marriage in Murray County.

Murray County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Murray County is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in the county. It sits in downtown Chatsworth on 3rd Avenue. Staff can help you fill out your application, check your ID, and walk you through each step. The court is open on weekdays and processes licenses during normal business hours. You do not need to set up a time ahead, but both people must be there.

Murray County follows the same fee structure as most Georgia counties. The standard license costs $56 if you do not have proof of premarital counseling. Couples who complete at least six hours of approved counseling pay just $16, which is a $40 cut. This lower rate comes from O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, and the counseling has to be done within 12 months of your application date. Bring the signed and notarized form to prove you did it. The court takes cash, money order, and cards for payment. Call ahead to ask about card fees.

The Georgia.gov marriage license page explains the full process for all counties, including Murray County.

This state page walks through what to bring, who can apply, and the rules for both Georgia residents and out-of-state visitors.

Murray County Marriage License Steps

Getting a marriage license in Murray County starts with a visit to the Probate Court. You can fill out your application online first through the Georgia Probate Records portal to save time. After that, both people must show up at the court with valid ID. The clerk will check your forms and take your payment. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be at least 18. A 17-year-old can apply only with proof of emancipation and extra counseling steps.

You need one of these forms of ID when you visit the Murray County Probate Court:

• Georgia driver's license or state ID
• Valid U.S. passport
• Military ID card
• Birth certificate with a photo ID

If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. The decree must be signed by the judge and have a filed stamp on it. Murray County will not issue a new license if you cannot show proof your past marriage was dissolved. This rule is the same in all 159 Georgia counties.

Note: There is no blood test and no waiting period for a marriage license in Murray County.

After Your Murray County Marriage License

Once you get your marriage license from the Murray County Probate Court, the license stays valid for 60 days. You must hold your ceremony before it runs out. If the 60 days pass and you have not used it, you need to start over and pay the fee again. Georgia law does not set a waiting period, so you can have the ceremony on the same day you pick up the license if you want.

Your officiant has to sign the license after the ceremony. Then they must return it to the Murray County Probate Court within 30 days. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, this step is what makes the marriage official in the public record. The court logs the signed license and sends you a certified marriage certificate by mail. This usually takes about 30 days. If you do not get it, call the court to check the status.

Keep the certified copy safe. You will need it to change your name on your Social Security card and driver's license. Banks, employers, and other agencies may ask for it too.

Search Murray County Marriage Records

The Probate Court in Murray County keeps marriage records that go back many years. If you need to look up a past marriage, start by calling the court at (706) 695-3032. Staff can search by name and date. Certified copies cost $10 each. You can pick them up in person or ask for them by mail. For mail requests, send a money order along with the names, date of marriage, and your return address.

For marriages that took place in Murray County between June 1952 and August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health also has copies. The state charges a $10 search fee, which is not refundable even if they cannot find the record. For any marriage before 1952 or after 1996 in Murray County, the Probate Court is the only place to get a copy.

The Georgia Probate Records site lets you search for recorded marriage licenses from many counties. Check to see if Murray County records are listed there.

Genealogy researchers can also check the Georgia Archives for older Murray County marriage records on microfilm. FamilySearch has an index of Georgia marriages from 1808 to 1967 that may include Murray County entries.

Marriage Ceremonies in Murray County

Some Probate Courts in Georgia perform wedding ceremonies. Check with the Murray County Probate Court to see if a judge is available. Not all courts offer this on a regular basis. Call (706) 695-3032 to ask. Under Georgia law, any judge, minister, or other authorized person can officiate a wedding. You can also use a justice of the peace.

If you plan to have a private ceremony in Murray County, your officiant does not have to be from the county. Anyone legally authorized to perform marriages in Georgia can do it. Just make sure they sign the license and send it back to the Murray County Probate Court within 30 days. If the officiant does not return the signed license on time, your marriage may not be recorded. That can cause problems later when you need a certified copy.

Murray County Residency Rules

You do not have to live in Murray County to get a marriage license there. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, if at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can apply in any county in the state. So even if you live in another part of Georgia, you can still get your license in Murray County. If neither person lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Choosing Murray County for a destination wedding means you would need to get the license from the Chatsworth office.

Georgia law also says that marriages performed in other states are valid in Georgia, under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43. But you cannot go to another state to get around Georgia's own marriage rules. If you want your marriage to be part of the Murray County public record, make sure the license comes from the Murray County Probate Court and gets returned there after the ceremony.

Note: Murray County marriage records are public and can be requested by anyone with the right info.

Cities in Murray County

Murray County includes the city of Chatsworth and a few smaller communities. All marriage licenses in Murray County are issued through the Probate Court in Chatsworth. There are no separate city-level offices for marriage records.

Communities in Murray County include Chatsworth, Eton, and Spring Place. All residents file for marriage licenses at the Murray County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Murray County. If you are not sure where to file, check the address where you live. Georgia residents can get a license in any county, but it helps to know which court is closest to you.