Richmond County Marriage Records
Richmond County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Augusta, Georgia. Augusta and Richmond County operate as a consolidated government, so the Probate Court handles marriage licenses for the entire area. The court at 735 James Brown Blvd. is the official source for all marriage license applications, record searches, and certified copies in Richmond County. Augusta is the second-largest city in Georgia and a regional hub for east Georgia. Contact the Richmond County Probate Court at (706) 821-2434 for help with marriage records.
Richmond County Quick Facts
Richmond County Probate Court in Augusta
The Richmond County Probate Court is at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is one of the busier probate courts in Georgia due to Augusta's large population. All Richmond County marriage license applications go through this office, and both parties must appear in person to complete the process.
The Richmond County Probate Court website has details about court services and hours. For marriage-specific information, the online marriage license page explains what to bring and how the application works. These resources are worth checking before you make the trip to the courthouse.
The Richmond County Probate Court shown below handles marriage licenses for all of Augusta-Richmond County.
The screenshot above shows the official Richmond County Probate Court page with details on court operations and services.
| Address | 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 821-2434 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Note: The Richmond County Probate Court may stop accepting license applications 30 minutes before closing.
Richmond County Marriage License Application
Richmond County offers an online marriage license application. Start at the Augusta-Richmond County online marriage portal or through the Georgia Probate Records system. Both options let you fill out the application from home. Enter names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. After the form is submitted, both people must visit the Richmond County Probate Court in Augusta in person.
Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card works. If either party was previously married, you need a certified final divorce decree or a death certificate to show the prior marriage ended. The Richmond County clerk reviews all documents at the time of the visit. If anything is missing, you will need to come back. Augusta handles a high volume of license applications, so have everything ready to keep the process moving.
The license fee in Richmond County is $77 without a premarital education certificate. With counseling, the fee drops to $56. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets the fee structure. The Augusta courthouse accepts cash, money orders, and debit or credit cards. Card payments may include a convenience fee. Check with the clerk for the exact amount before you pay.
Georgia has no waiting period. No blood test. The Richmond 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 Richmond County Probate Court within 30 days. That signed, recorded document is the official marriage record for Richmond County.
Searching Richmond County Marriage Records
To find a Richmond County marriage record, call the Probate Court at (706) 821-2434. Provide the full names and an approximate date. The staff can search the files and tell you what is available. You can also visit the courthouse at 735 James Brown Blvd. in Augusta during business hours. In-person searches are often faster since the clerk can pull the file while you wait.
The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool is a free online option for finding Richmond County records. Enter a name and select the county. If the record is in the state database, basic details like the license date and both names will appear. This tool covers many Georgia counties and is a good starting point for any Richmond County marriage record search.
The online search tool shown above covers Richmond County records that have been added to the state system. It is free to use and available around the clock.
For Richmond County marriages from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health has records at the State Office of Vital Records. The address is 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The search fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Mail processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Phone: (404) 679-4702.
Certified Copies of Richmond County Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of Richmond County marriage certificates are available from the Probate Court in Augusta. The first copy costs $10. Each additional copy is $5. In-person requests at the courthouse are typically processed the same day. The court accepts cash, money orders, and cards.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Richmond County Probate Court at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a money order for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes one to two weeks by mail. Certified copies are commonly needed for name changes at the Social Security office, adding a spouse to insurance, or legal proceedings involving a Richmond County marriage.
The state DPH can also issue certified copies of Richmond County marriages from the 1952 to 1996 period. The fee schedule shown below details the costs for state-level vital record requests.
The DPH fee schedule above applies to requests for Richmond County marriage records held at the state level.
Marriage Requirements in Richmond County
Georgia law sets the rules for marriage across all 159 counties. Both people must be at least 18. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 defines who may marry. A 17-year-old needs a court emancipation order, and O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36 requires the older party to be no more than four years older and both to complete premarital education. No one under 17 can marry.
No blood test is needed. Georgia ended that rule on July 1, 2003. There is no waiting period. You can get a license at the Richmond County Probate Court and have the ceremony the same day. There is no strict residency requirement, but at least one person should live in Georgia. Non-residents can apply at the Richmond County court if the wedding will take place in the Augusta area.
Accepted forms of ID at the Richmond County Probate Court:
- Georgia driver's license or any state license
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID card
- State-issued photo ID
- Certified birth certificate
If either person was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate. The Richmond County clerk will need to see it before a new license can be issued.
State Resources for Richmond County Marriage Records
Several state agencies can help with Richmond County marriage records. The Council of Probate Court Judges has a directory of all Georgia courts. Their standard forms page offers free downloads of forms used in every county. The Georgia.gov marriage license page covers the statewide process.
The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds older vital records on microfilm. For Richmond County marriage records from before the 1950s, the archives may have what you need. These records are valuable for genealogy research and legal matters involving older Augusta-area marriages.
Cities in Richmond County
Augusta is the county seat and the main city in Richmond County. Since Augusta and Richmond County consolidated their governments, the Probate Court in Augusta serves the entire area for marriage licenses and records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Richmond County. Confirm your address is in Richmond County before heading to the Augusta courthouse for a marriage license.