Paulding County Marriage Records Search

Paulding County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court, which issues licenses and keeps all past records on file. The court serves a growing county northwest of Atlanta, and it handles a steady flow of marriage license applications each week. If you want to apply for a license, look up an old marriage, or get a certified copy, the Paulding County Probate Court is the right place. The court also has genealogy records for marriages going back to 1833, making it a valuable resource for family history research in Paulding County.

Paulding County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Paulding County handles all marriage license matters for the county. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help with new applications, record lookups, and certified copies. Both people must be present to get a license, and the court recommends filling out the online application first.

The Paulding County Probate Court page has details on services, contact info, and links to forms.

The site covers what the court handles, from marriage licenses to estate matters and firearm permits.

Paulding County charges $56 for a standard marriage license. With proof of at least six hours of premarital counseling, the cost drops to $16. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1, the counseling must come from a licensed professional or active clergy member and be done within 12 months of the application. The court accepts cash, money orders, and Visa or MasterCard. A 5% processing fee applies to credit card payments. Personal checks are not accepted at the Paulding County Probate Court.

Paulding County Marriage License Steps

The court recommends starting with an online application. Go to the Georgia Probate Records portal and fill out the form. This lets you enter names, dates, and other details before your visit. Then both people go to the Paulding County Probate Court together with valid ID. The clerk pulls up the online application and finishes the process.

Accepted ID includes a driver's license or passport. If either person was married before, you must bring the final divorce decree signed by the judge with a filed stamp. If a former spouse died, bring the death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, both parties must be 18. A 17-year-old can apply only if they meet extra conditions, including proof of emancipation and age gap restrictions. Contact the Paulding County office for specifics on minor applicants.

The Paulding County marriage license page lists all the details about what to bring, fees, and payment methods.

There is no waiting period and no blood test in Georgia. Once the Paulding County court issues your license, it stays valid for 60 days.

Note: The online application is recommended but not required for Paulding County.

Ceremonies in Paulding County

The Probate Judge in Paulding County will perform wedding ceremonies if available at the time your application is processed. This is not a guaranteed service. It depends on the judge's schedule that day. Call the office at (770) 443-7541 to check if the judge can do your ceremony when you visit. You must already have your Paulding County marriage license before a ceremony can take place.

If the judge is not available, you can use any officiant authorized under Georgia law. That includes ministers, judges from other courts, and justices of the peace. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Paulding County Probate Court within 30 days after the ceremony. Once the court records the signed license, you can request your certified marriage certificate.

Paulding County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of marriage records from Paulding County cost $10 each. The court also offers a special framing certificate for $10. Plain copies with no certification cost $1. You can get copies in person at the courthouse or order them by mail. For mail requests, send a money order payable to the Paulding County Probate Court, include the full names of both parties and the marriage date, and add a self-addressed stamped envelope.

There is a privacy rule on marriage applications in Paulding County. Only the people named on the application can get a full copy that shows birth dates and the mother's maiden name. Anyone else who requests a copy gets a version with those details taken out. Marriage certificates, on the other hand, are public and available to anyone.

It takes about 10 days after the signed license is returned to the court before certified copies are ready. If you need a copy sooner, call the Paulding County Probate Court to check if the officiant has returned the license yet. Online ordering is also available through the court website, though extra fees may apply for that service.

Search Paulding County Marriage Records

The Paulding County Probate Court has marriage records on file going back to 1833. That makes it one of the better resources in the state for genealogy work. Staff can search by name and date. Call (770) 443-7541 to ask about a specific record. For older entries, the search may take more time since some records are in handwritten ledgers or on microfilm.

For Paulding County marriages between June 1952 and August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health also holds copies. The state charges a $10 search fee that is not refundable. For marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Paulding County Probate Court is the only place with records. The Georgia Archives in Morrow may also have microfilm of older Paulding County records for researchers who want to visit in person.

The Georgia Archives research page explains how to access historical records, including marriage documents from Paulding County and other counties across the state.

Paulding County License Rules

Georgia law sets the rules for all marriage licenses. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both people must be able to contract, enter an actual agreement, and follow the law on consummation. Both must be of sound mind and have no living spouse from a marriage that was not dissolved. These rules apply in Paulding County just like every other county in the state. No blood test is needed, and there is no waiting period after the license is issued.

If at least one person lives in Georgia, you can get a license from any county. That means a couple from Cobb or Douglas County could get their license from the Paulding County Probate Court if it is more convenient. If neither person is a Georgia resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will happen. Georgia also recognizes marriages from other states under O.C.G.A. 19-3-43, but that does not let you avoid Georgia's own rules by crossing state lines.

Note: Paulding County marriage records are public and can be requested by anyone.

Cities in Paulding County

Paulding County includes the city of Dallas, Hiram, and Braswell. All marriage licenses in Paulding County are issued from the Probate Court. There are no separate city offices for marriage record services.

Dallas is the county seat. Hiram is the largest community by population but does not have its own court. All residents of Paulding County go to the same Probate Court for marriage license needs.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Paulding County. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county, so check which court is most convenient for you.