Spalding County Marriage Records

Spalding County marriage records are filed and maintained at the Probate Court in Griffin, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses, stores completed marriage certificates, and provides certified copies to anyone who requests them. Griffin sits south of Atlanta along Interstate 75, making the Spalding County courthouse easy to reach from much of central Georgia. Whether you need a copy of an old marriage certificate or plan to apply for a new license, the Probate Court on East Solomon Street handles all of it.

Spalding County Probate Court

The Spalding County Probate Court is the only office in the county where you can get a marriage license or request copies of past marriage records. The court is located at 132 East Solomon Street in Griffin. Both people applying for a marriage license must appear together in person. The clerk reviews identification, collects the application, and takes the fee. If everything is in order, the Spalding County Probate Court issues the license during the same visit. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead never hurts if you want to avoid a wait.

Spalding County has a larger population than many rural Georgia counties, so the office in Griffin tends to be busier. Plan to spend a bit of time there, especially on Mondays and Fridays.

How to Get Spalding County Marriage Records

You can get copies of marriage records from the Spalding County Probate Court in a few ways. The quickest is an in-person visit to the courthouse in Griffin. Bring the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The clerk will search the files and give you a certified copy on the spot if the record is found. The cost is $10 per copy. Additional copies are $5 each when ordered at the same time as the first one.

Mail requests work too. Write a letter with the names, date of the marriage, and a check or money order for $10. Send it to the Spalding County Probate Court at 132 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223. Include your return address. Phone requests for certified copies are not usually accepted, but you can call (770) 467-4341 to ask if a Spalding County record is on file before making the trip.

The Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia maintains standard forms used across all 159 counties.

The standard forms page has downloadable documents that you can fill out before your visit to the Spalding County Probate Court. This can speed things up at the window.

Spalding County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Spalding County costs between $56 and $77 without premarital counseling. The discounted rate for couples who complete a qualifying course is $16 to $37. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 allows this reduction. The course must be at least six hours and finished within one year of the application date. You must bring the counseling certificate when you apply at the Spalding County Probate Court to get the lower price.

Bring cash or a money order. Not all courts in Georgia take cards, so it is best to check with the Spalding County office first. Personal checks are usually not accepted. All fees are final and non-refundable.

Note: The exact fee may vary slightly, so call the Spalding County Probate Court to confirm before your visit.

Marriage License Requirements for Spalding County

Georgia law sets the rules. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may apply only if they have been legally emancipated, and at least 15 days must have passed since the court order. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, there are no exceptions below age 17. Both people must go to the Spalding County Probate Court together. No proxies, no mail-in applications.

Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. All documents must be in English. Foreign-language papers require a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and not currently in another marriage.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate if applicable
• Premarital counseling certificate for the discount
• Both must appear in person at the Spalding County Probate Court

No blood test is required. There is no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued by the Spalding County Probate Court.

State Records for Spalding County Marriages

The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains marriage records from 1952 to 1996. If the Spalding County marriage you are looking for falls in that range, you can request a copy from the state Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Extra copies cost $5 each. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. In-person requests may be filled the same day.

For Spalding County marriages outside the 1952 to 1996 window, the Probate Court in Griffin is the only source. The Georgia Archives in Morrow also has older marriage records on microfilm from many counties. FamilySearch maintains a free marriage index going back to the 1800s that may include Spalding County entries.

Spalding County Marriage Ceremonies

After you receive your Spalding County marriage license, you can have the ceremony performed by any authorized officiant. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, judges, ministers, and ordained clergy can all officiate. The Spalding County Probate Court may perform civil ceremonies too. Call the office to ask about availability, since not every day works for the court schedule. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Spalding County Probate Court within 30 days after the ceremony.

Once the signed license is returned, the court records the marriage. A certified marriage certificate is then mailed to the couple, usually within 30 days. If you need the certificate sooner, you can visit the Griffin courthouse and ask for a copy once the record has been entered into the system.

Online Tools for Spalding County Marriage Records

The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool covers records from many Georgia counties. Try it first to see if the Spalding County record you need is in the online index. The main Georgia Probate Records site also lets you fill out a marriage application online before your visit to the courthouse. The Georgia.gov site gives a plain-language overview of the license process across all counties.

For genealogy research, the Council of Probate Court Judges has information about how probate courts handle records statewide. All of these free tools can help you prepare before your visit to the Spalding County Probate Court in Griffin.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Spalding County. If you are unsure where the marriage was filed, check with one of these neighboring Probate Courts.