Talbot County Marriage Record Lookup
Talbot County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Talbotton, Georgia. This small county in west-central Georgia has the Probate Court handle all marriage license applications, ceremony filings, and certified copy requests. The office on North Washington Avenue is the only place in Talbot County where you can get a marriage license or look up past marriage records. Staff are available during normal business hours to help with searches, copies, and new applications for couples who plan to marry in the area.
Talbot County Quick Facts
Talbot County Probate Court Details
The Talbot County Probate Court sits at 46 North Washington Avenue in Talbotton. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. Both applicants for a license must show up in person at the Talbot County Probate Court. The clerk checks identification, takes the fee, and processes the application. If all paperwork is in order, the license is issued during that same visit. The process is usually quick, though it helps to call ahead since Talbotton is a very small town with limited staff at the courthouse.
Walk-ins are accepted during regular hours. The office serves a small population, so you may be the only person there some days. Other days, the clerk could be busy with other probate matters. A quick phone call to (706) 665-8866 can help you plan your visit to the Talbot County courthouse.
| Address | 46 N. Washington Avenue Talbotton, GA 31827 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 665-8866 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
How to Get Talbot County Marriage Records
To get a copy of a marriage record from Talbot County, the simplest route is to visit the Probate Court in Talbotton. Bring the names of both spouses and the date or approximate date of the marriage. The clerk will search the county files and give you a certified copy if the record is found. The fee is $10 for each certified copy. Extra copies ordered at the same time are $5 each. In-person searches at the Talbot County courthouse are usually done in just a few minutes.
Mail requests are also possible. Send a letter with the full names, marriage date, and a check or money order for $10 to the Talbot County Probate Court at 46 N. Washington Avenue, Talbotton, GA 31827. Include your return address. Phone requests for certified copies are not typically accepted, but you can call (706) 665-8866 to verify if a Talbot County record exists before mailing your request.
The online Georgia Probate Records marriage search is a helpful tool to check first. Not all Talbot County records appear in the online index, but it is free and quick to try from home.
Talbot County License Fees and Costs
A marriage license in Talbot County costs between $56 and $77 if you have not completed premarital counseling. With a qualifying course, the fee drops to $16 to $37. This discount is allowed under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1. The course must be at least six hours and done within one year of the application date. Bring the completion certificate to the Talbot County Probate Court when you apply.
Cash and money orders are the safest payment options for the Talbot County office. Check about card payments before your visit. All license fees are final and non-refundable.
Talbot County Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, a 17-year-old can apply only if they have been legally emancipated and at least 15 days have passed since the court order. No one under 17 qualifies. Both people must appear in person at the Talbot County Probate Court with valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
If either person was married before, you need to bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. Documents must be in English. Any foreign-language paper needs a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and free from any existing marriage to apply for a license in Talbot County.
- Valid photo ID for both people
- Social Security numbers
- Divorce decree or death certificate if applicable
- Premarital counseling certificate for reduced fee
- Both parties present at the Talbot County Probate Court
No blood test. No waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days after the Talbot County Probate Court issues it.
Note: Georgia ended common-law marriage recognition for unions formed after January 1, 1997.
State Marriage Records for Talbot County
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. If the Talbot County marriage happened during that time, 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 are $5. Call (404) 679-4702 for details.
The Georgia.gov website provides a helpful overview of how to request vital records from the state.
Mail requests to the state take 8 to 10 weeks. In-person visits may get same-day results. For Talbot County marriages outside the 1952 to 1996 range, the Probate Court in Talbotton is the only source. The Georgia Archives may have older records on microfilm as well.
Ceremonies and Filing in Talbot County
After you get the license, any authorized person can perform the ceremony. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30 allows judges, ministers, and ordained clergy to officiate marriages. The Talbot County Probate Court may also do civil ceremonies, but you should call ahead to see if the judge is available. The officiant signs the license and has 30 days to return it to the Talbot County Probate Court.
Once the signed license is returned, the court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple within about 30 days. If you need the certificate faster, visit the Talbotton courthouse after the record has been entered and ask for a copy at the window. The Georgia Probate Records site lets you fill out a marriage application online before visiting, which speeds things up at the counter.
More Talbot County Marriage Resources
The Council of Probate Court Judges has general information about how probate courts across Georgia handle marriage records. The Georgia.gov marriage page offers a simple guide to the process. FamilySearch keeps a free index of older Georgia marriages that may include Talbot County records for genealogy research.
For specific questions about Talbot County records, call the Probate Court at (706) 665-8866. Staff can tell you what files they have on hand and the best way to get copies.
Nearby Counties
Talbot County borders several other counties in west-central Georgia. If the marriage was recorded in a neighboring county, check with one of these Probate Courts.