Pierce County Marriage Records

Pierce County marriage records are held at the Probate Court in Blackshear, Georgia. The Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for Pierce County and keeps the official records on file. Located in southeast Georgia, Pierce County is a rural area where the courthouse in Blackshear serves as the center for all vital records. If you need a new license or want to search for an old marriage record, the Probate Court at 3550 Hwy 84 is the place to start. Call (912) 449-2024 for more details about Pierce County marriage records.

Pierce County Probate Court in Blackshear

The Pierce County Probate Court sits at 3550 Hwy 84 in Blackshear, GA 31516. All marriage license applications for Pierce County go through this office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on state holidays. Both parties must show up in person to complete a marriage license application in Pierce County.

Blackshear is a small community, and the courthouse handles a modest volume of marriage licenses each year. The clerk staff is familiar with the process and can guide you through each step. Plan to spend about 20 to 30 minutes at the office. If you have all your documents ready, it goes quickly. The Pierce County Probate Court phone line at (912) 449-2024 is the best way to confirm hours or ask questions before your visit.

Getting a Marriage License in Pierce County

Start your Pierce County marriage license application online at the Georgia Probate Records website. The online form lets you enter names, dates, Social Security numbers, and other required details. After you submit the form, both people need to visit the Pierce County Probate Court in Blackshear. The process cannot be done entirely by mail or online.

Bring valid photo ID to the courthouse. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card will work. If either person was previously married, proof that the marriage ended is required. A final divorce decree or death certificate serves as that proof. The Pierce County clerk checks all documents at the time of the visit.

The fee for a Pierce County marriage license is $77 without premarital counseling. If you bring a certificate showing you completed a qualifying course, the fee drops to $56. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets these amounts. Cash and money orders are the safest payment options at the Blackshear office. Call ahead to confirm if cards are accepted.

The license is good for 60 days. No waiting period. No blood test. You can have the ceremony the same day if you find an officiant. The signed license must come back to the Pierce County Probate Court within 30 days after the wedding.

Searching Pierce County Marriage Records

Contact the Pierce County Probate Court to search for a marriage record. Call (912) 449-2024 and give the clerk the full names and a rough date. The staff can look through their files and tell you what exists. You can also go to the courthouse in Blackshear and ask for a search in person. In-person requests are often handled the same day.

The state-level Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool may also have Pierce County records in its database. You search by name and county. Not all records are in the online system, but it is worth checking before you call or visit.

For Pierce County marriages from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health keeps copies at the State Office of Vital Records. The office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process.

The fee schedule shown above from the Georgia Department of Public Health details the costs for requesting vital records, including Pierce County marriage records from the state archives.

Note: The $10 state search fee is non-refundable even if no Pierce County marriage record is found.

Certified Copies of Pierce County Marriage Certificates

The Pierce County Probate Court issues certified copies of marriage certificates. The first copy is $10, and extra copies cost $5 each. You may need a certified copy for a name change, adding a spouse to health insurance, or other legal matters. Visit the courthouse in Blackshear for same-day service on most requests.

Mail requests should be sent to the Pierce County Probate Court at 3550 Hwy 84, Blackshear, GA 31516. Include a written request with the full names of both spouses, the marriage date, and a money order for the correct fee amount. Add a self-addressed envelope. Processing by mail usually takes one to two weeks.

Marriage Rules for Pierce County

State law governs marriage rules across Georgia. Both parties must be 18 or older. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36, a 17-year-old may marry only with a court emancipation order and other restrictions. The older party cannot be more than four years older. No exceptions exist for anyone under 17.

Georgia ended the blood test rule on July 1, 2003. No waiting period applies. You can walk into the Pierce County Probate Court, get a license, and have a ceremony the same day. There is no residency requirement for Pierce County, though at least one party should ideally live in Georgia. Non-residents can file in the county where the ceremony will happen.

Acceptable ID at the Pierce County court includes:

• Driver's license from any state
• U.S. or foreign passport
• Military ID card
• State-issued ID
• Certified birth certificate

Historical Records and State Resources

Older Pierce County marriage records may be found at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The archives hold microfilm collections of vital records from across the state. These are especially useful for genealogy research or legal matters involving marriages that took place decades ago in Pierce County.

The Council of Probate Court Judges forms page has downloadable forms used by all Georgia probate courts, including Pierce County. The Georgia.gov marriage license page provides a general overview of the statewide process. Both sites are good starting points if you want to understand how Georgia marriage licensing works before visiting the Pierce County office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Pierce County. Confirm your address falls in Pierce County before heading to the Blackshear courthouse for a license.