Access Putnam County Marriage Records
Putnam County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Eatonton, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and holds the official records for all marriages performed in Putnam County. Whether you are looking for a license or trying to locate a record from years ago, the Probate Court on South Jefferson Street is where you need to go. Located in the heart of middle Georgia near Lake Sinclair, Putnam County processes marriage applications through its single courthouse in Eatonton. Contact the court at (706) 485-6311 for help with Putnam County marriage records.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Probate Court in Eatonton
The Putnam County Probate Court is located at 100 S. Jefferson Street in Eatonton, GA 31024. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is the only court in the county that handles marriage licenses. Both people who want to marry must come to the courthouse together. The clerk will not process an application with only one person present.
Eatonton is a small town between Macon and Athens on Highway 441. The courthouse is right in the middle of town near the square. Parking is available on the street. When you arrive, let the front desk know you are there for a marriage license, and they will get you to the right clerk. The Putnam County Probate Court processes marriage applications regularly and the staff knows the steps well. Call (706) 485-6311 if you have questions before you come in.
| Address | 100 S. Jefferson Street, Eatonton, GA 31024 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 485-6311 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Putnam County Marriage License Application
Start the application online. The Georgia Probate Records website has the form for all Georgia counties, including Putnam County. You fill in names, birth dates, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Once the form is submitted, both parties must go to the Putnam County Probate Court in Eatonton to complete the process in person.
Valid photo ID is required. Bring a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. If either party was married before, you need a certified final divorce decree or a death certificate to show that the prior marriage ended. The Putnam County clerk reviews all documents before the license is approved.
The fee for a Putnam County marriage license is $77 without premarital counseling. With a qualifying counseling certificate, the fee drops to $56. Georgia sets these fees under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. Cash and money orders are typical payment methods at the Eatonton office. Ask about card payments if you plan to pay that way.
No waiting period in Georgia. No blood test. The Putnam County license stays valid for 60 days. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the court within 30 days. That document becomes the official Putnam County marriage record.
Note: Couples who complete premarital education save about $20 on the Putnam County license fee.
How to Search Putnam County Marriage Records
Call the Putnam County Probate Court at (706) 485-6311 to search for a marriage record. Give the clerk both names and a rough date. The staff will check the files and let you know what is available. In-person searches at the Eatonton courthouse are another option. Walking in during business hours lets you get results on the spot in most cases.
The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool is an online alternative for Putnam County records. You type in a name and select the county. If a record is in the state database, basic information will show up including the license date and both names.
The Georgia Probate Records portal shown above provides access to marriage records across the state. Putnam County entries that have been added to the system can be found through this tool.
For marriages from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health has records at the State Office of Vital Records. The mailing address is 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The search fee is $10 and non-refundable. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for mail requests.
Certified Copies of Putnam County Marriage Records
The Putnam County Probate Court issues certified copies of marriage certificates. The first copy is $10. Each additional copy is $5. In-person requests at the Eatonton courthouse are often handled the same day. Cash and money orders are the standard payment options.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Putnam County Probate Court at 100 S. Jefferson Street, Eatonton, GA 31024. Include the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a money order for the fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing usually takes one to two weeks by mail. Certified copies are commonly needed for name changes, legal matters, and insurance purposes.
Marriage Requirements for Putnam County
Georgia law sets the rules. Both people must be 18 or older. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, anyone who meets the legal requirements may marry. A 17-year-old can only get a license with a court emancipation order. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36 restricts this further by requiring that the older party be no more than four years older and both parties complete premarital education.
No blood test is needed. Georgia removed that requirement on July 1, 2003. There is no waiting period. You can get a license at the Putnam County Probate Court and have the ceremony the same day. Residency is not strictly required, but at least one person should live in Georgia. Non-residents may apply at the Putnam County courthouse if the wedding will take place in the county.
These IDs are accepted at the Putnam County Probate Court:
- Driver's license from any state
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID card
- State-issued photo ID
- Certified birth certificate
State Resources for Putnam County
Several state-level tools can help with Putnam County marriage records. The Council of Probate Court Judges has a directory of all Georgia probate courts. Their standard forms page offers free downloads of forms used in every county. The Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm of older vital records that may include Putnam County marriages from before the modern era.
The Georgia.gov marriage page covers the general steps for getting a marriage license anywhere in the state. It is a good starting point if you want to understand the process before visiting the Putnam County court.
The forms page shown above has documents used by the Putnam County Probate Court and every other Georgia county court.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Putnam County. Make sure your address is in Putnam County before heading to the Eatonton courthouse for a marriage license.