Peach County Marriage Records

Peach County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Fort Valley, Georgia. The court issues new marriage licenses and stores records for all marriages that took place in Peach County. Fort Valley is the county seat and the only place in the county where you can file for a license in person. The Probate Court staff can help with applications, certified copies, and record searches. For questions about Peach County marriage records, call (478) 825-5331 during normal business hours.

Peach County Probate Court

The Peach County Probate Court is at 205 W. Church Street in Fort Valley, GA 31030. This is where all marriage license applications are filed for Peach County. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people who want to get married must come to the court in person. You cannot send just one person or do the whole thing by mail. Bring valid photo ID and be ready to fill out the forms at the clerk's window.

The Peach County Probate Court shares a judicial circuit with Houston County. The court handles a range of services beyond marriage records, but the marriage license desk is a key part of its daily work. If you have questions before your visit, the staff at (478) 825-5331 can walk you through the steps. Most people spend 20 to 30 minutes at the office when they come in to apply for a Peach County marriage license.

Peach County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Peach County starts with the online application. The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you start the form from home. You fill in names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other details. After that, both parties must visit the Peach County Probate Court in Fort Valley to finish the process in person.

The license fee in Peach County is $56 if you complete a premarital education course before you apply. Without counseling, the fee goes up to $77. The state sets these fee ranges under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. Cash and money orders are standard payment methods at the Fort Valley office. Check with the clerk about card payments before you go. Some courts charge a small processing fee for card transactions.

Georgia has no waiting period for marriage licenses. There is no blood test. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued by the Peach County court. If you do not use it in that window, the license expires and you will need to start over. Once the ceremony happens, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Peach County Probate Court within 30 days.

Note: Premarital counseling can save you about $20 on the Peach County marriage license fee.

How to Search Peach County Marriage Records

To find a marriage record from Peach County, contact the Probate Court. Give the clerk the full names of both people and an approximate wedding date. The court staff can search their files and tell you what is on record. You can call (478) 825-5331 or visit the office in Fort Valley. In-person searches tend to be faster than phone requests since the clerk can pull the file right away.

The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool shown below is another option for finding Peach County marriage records in the state system.

This online tool lets you search by name and county. Results show the date of the license and the names on file. It covers many Georgia counties, including Peach County records that have been entered into the state system.

For older Peach County marriage records from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health keeps copies at the State Office of Vital Records. The search fee is $10. Mail requests go to 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Processing can take 8 to 10 weeks by mail, so plan ahead if you need a record from that era.

Certified Copies of Peach County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Peach County marriage certificates are available from the Probate Court. The fee is typically $10 for the first copy. Each extra copy costs $5. You may need a certified copy for name changes, insurance updates, or legal filings. The Peach County Probate Court can issue copies on the spot if you visit in person.

By mail, send a written request with the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a money order for the correct amount. Mail it to the Peach County Probate Court at 205 W. Church Street, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Include a return address so the court can send the certified copy back to you. Mail requests usually take one to two weeks.

Marriage Requirements in Peach County

Georgia law sets the rules that apply in every county, including Peach County. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may get a license only with a court emancipation order. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36, the older person cannot be more than four years older, and both must complete premarital education. There is no exception for anyone under 17.

You do not need a blood test. Georgia dropped that rule on July 1, 2003. There is no waiting period either. You can get the license and have the ceremony on the same day if you want. At least one party should be a Georgia resident, though the law does not strictly block non-residents from applying in the county where the wedding will take place.

Acceptable forms of ID at the Peach County Probate Court include:

• Georgia driver's license or out-of-state license
• U.S. passport or passport card
• Military ID
• State-issued photo ID
• Certified birth certificate

If either person was married before, bring proof the prior marriage ended. A final divorce decree or death certificate is what the clerk will need. The Peach County Probate Court staff will check all documents before issuing a new license.

Historical Peach County Records

Peach County was created in 1924 from parts of Houston and Macon counties. Marriage records from before that date may be filed under those parent counties. The Georgia Archives in Morrow has older vital records on microfilm. These can be useful for genealogy work or legal research involving Peach County families.

For records from 1924 through the early 1950s, the Peach County Probate Court is the best source. The court holds original marriage records from the county's formation. Call (478) 825-5331 to ask about availability of older Peach County marriage records. Staff can let you know what they have on file and how to request copies.

Note: Marriage records before 1924 may be filed under Houston or Macon County since Peach County did not exist yet.

State Resources for Peach County Marriage Records

Several state-level agencies can help with Peach County marriage records. The Georgia.gov marriage page has a general overview of the license process. The Council of Probate Court Judges provides links to forms and court directories. And the standard forms page has downloadable forms used across all Georgia probate courts.

The Georgia Department of Public Health also plays a role. Their office at (404) 679-4702 handles requests for marriage records from 1952 to 1996. After 1996, the county probate court is the only source for certified copies. For Peach County, that means Fort Valley.

The standard forms page shown above has forms used by Peach County and all other Georgia probate courts.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Peach County. If you live close to a county line, check which county your address falls in before applying for a marriage license.