Rabun County Marriage Records
Rabun County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Clayton, Georgia. The court is the official source for marriage licenses and records in this northeast Georgia mountain county. Clayton serves as the county seat and is the only location in Rabun County where you can apply for a license or request copies of marriage records. The Probate Court at 25 Courthouse Square handles all marriage-related filings. For questions about Rabun County marriage records, call (706) 782-3614 during regular business hours.
Rabun County Quick Facts
Rabun County Probate Court in Clayton
The Rabun County Probate Court is at 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 215, in Clayton, GA 30525. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on state holidays. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. One person cannot file alone.
Clayton is in the far northeast corner of Georgia, close to the North Carolina and South Carolina borders. The area draws visitors year-round, and some couples choose to get married in the mountains. For those planning a Rabun County wedding, the Probate Court is the first stop for a license. The courthouse is at the town square and is easy to find. Parking is available nearby. Call (706) 782-3614 before your trip to make sure the clerk will be available for your Rabun County marriage license application.
| Address | 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 215, Clayton, GA 30525 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 782-3614 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Applying for a Rabun County Marriage License
Begin the application on the Georgia Probate Records website. The online form lets you enter names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses from home. After submitting, both people must visit the Rabun County Probate Court in Clayton to finish the application. Georgia law does not allow the full process to be done by mail or online.
Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID works. If either party was married before, proof that the marriage ended is needed. A certified final divorce decree or death certificate is what the Rabun County clerk will ask for. Without that documentation, the license will not be issued that day.
The license fee in Rabun County is $77 without premarital education. With a counseling certificate, it goes down to $56. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets the fee structure. Cash and money orders are accepted. Check with the court about card payments before you go, since not all offices have the same setup.
There is no waiting period in Georgia. No blood test. The Rabun County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Rabun County Probate Court within 30 days. The signed document becomes the permanent marriage record.
How to Search Rabun County Marriage Records
To find a Rabun County marriage record, contact the Probate Court at (706) 782-3614. Give the clerk the names of both people and an approximate date. The staff can search the files. You can also go to the Clayton courthouse in person during business hours. In-person requests are typically faster since the clerk can pull the file right away.
The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool is a free online option. Type in a name and pick Rabun County from the list. If a record is in the state database, you will see the license date and the names on file.
The Georgia.gov page shown above explains how to request vital records from the state. This includes Rabun County marriage records from the 1952 to 1996 period held by the Department of Public Health.
For those older records, the Georgia DPH charges a $10 search fee. Their address is 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for mail requests.
Note: Rabun County is a popular destination for mountain weddings, so records from out-of-county couples are common.
Certified Copies of Rabun County Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of Rabun County marriage certificates cost $10 for the first copy. Extra copies are $5 each. Visit the courthouse in Clayton for same-day service on most requests. Cash and money orders are the typical payment methods.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Rabun County Probate Court at 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 215, Clayton, GA 30525. Include both names, the marriage date, and a money order for the correct fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can mail the certified copy back. Processing takes about one to two weeks. You might need a certified copy for a name change, adding a spouse to insurance, or other legal needs.
Marriage Rules in Rabun County
State law governs marriage in Georgia. Both parties must be 18 or older under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. A 17-year-old may marry only with a court emancipation order, and O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36 adds age-gap limits and counseling requirements. No one under 17 can marry in the state.
No blood test is needed. Georgia dropped that rule on July 1, 2003. There is no waiting period. You can get the Rabun County license and have the ceremony on the same day. Residency is not strictly required, but at least one person should live in Georgia. Non-residents can apply at the Rabun County Probate Court if the ceremony will take place within county lines.
Accepted forms of ID at the Rabun County court:
- Driver's license from any state
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID card
- State-issued photo ID
- Certified birth certificate
If either person was married before, bring proof the prior marriage ended. The Rabun County clerk will need a final divorce decree or a death certificate before issuing a new license.
State Resources for Rabun County
The Council of Probate Court Judges has a directory of all Georgia probate courts. Their standard forms page offers free downloads used in every county, including Rabun County. The Georgia.gov marriage page covers the statewide process.
The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds microfilm of older vital records. For Rabun County marriage records from before the 1950s, the archives may be the best resource. Contact them at (678) 364-3710 for help finding historical records from Rabun County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Rabun County. If you live close to a border, check your address before heading to the Clayton courthouse.