Telfair County Marriage Records
Telfair County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in McRae-Helena, Georgia. The court handles all marriage license applications, stores ceremony records, and provides certified copies for anyone who needs them. McRae-Helena is the county seat and the home of the only office in Telfair County where you can apply for a marriage license or look up past records. Staff at the Probate Court on East Oak Street assist with license applications, record searches, and copy requests throughout the week.
Telfair County Quick Facts
Telfair County Probate Court Details
The Telfair County Probate Court sits at 19 East Oak Street, Suite A, in McRae-Helena. This is the single office in Telfair County responsible for marriage licenses and marriage records. Both people who want to marry must come to the Telfair County Probate Court together in person. The clerk reviews identification, collects the application, takes the fee, and issues the license if everything is in order. You can get the license the same day you apply if your paperwork is complete.
The office is open Monday through Friday. McRae-Helena is a small town in south-central Georgia, so the court staff may be working on other probate matters when you stop in. Calling ahead to (229) 868-6683 helps you avoid wasted trips. Walk-ins are accepted during normal hours at the Telfair County courthouse.
| Address | 19 E. Oak Street, Suite A McRae-Helena, GA 31055 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 868-6683 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
How to Find Telfair County Marriage Records
To find a marriage record in Telfair County, the most direct way is to visit the Probate Court in McRae-Helena. Give the clerk the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The staff search the county files and provide a certified copy if the record is found. The cost is $10 per certified copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $5 each. In-person searches at the Telfair County courthouse are handled quickly for records that are on file.
You can also request records by mail. Write a letter that includes the full names, marriage date, and a check or money order for $10. Mail it to the Telfair County Probate Court at 19 E. Oak Street, Suite A, McRae-Helena, GA 31055. Include a return address. If you want to check first whether the record exists, call (229) 868-6683 before sending payment.
The Georgia Archives provides access to historical vital records from many Georgia counties.
The Georgia Archives in Morrow may have older Telfair County marriage records on microfilm. The Georgia Probate Records website also has an online search tool that covers multiple counties. These free tools can help narrow your search before you contact the Telfair County office directly.
Telfair County Marriage License Costs
A marriage license in Telfair County costs between $56 and $77 without premarital counseling. The discounted rate for couples who finish a qualifying course is $16 to $37. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 sets this reduction. The counseling must be at least six hours long and completed within one year of the application date. Bring the certificate of completion to the Telfair County Probate Court when you apply.
Plan to pay with cash or a money order. Smaller courts may not accept cards, so check with the Telfair County office ahead of time. All fees are non-refundable once paid, even if you decide not to use the license.
Note: Exact fees may vary slightly, so call the Telfair County Probate Court to confirm the current amount before your visit.
Marriage License Requirements in Telfair County
Georgia law requires both applicants to be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court-issued emancipation order, with at least 15 days having passed since the ruling. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, no one younger than 17 can get a license. Both people must appear at the Telfair County Probate Court in person. Each must bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work.
If either person was previously married, bring proof that the earlier marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse is required. Documents must be in English, or you need a certified translation. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-1, both parties must be of sound mind and not currently married to someone else to qualify for a Telfair County license.
- Valid photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security number
- Proof of dissolution of prior marriage if applicable
- Counseling certificate for the reduced fee
- Both parties present at the Telfair County Probate Court
No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period in Georgia. The Telfair County license is valid for 60 days after it is issued.
State-Level Telfair County Marriage Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Telfair 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 (non-refundable). Additional copies are $5 each. Call (404) 679-4702 for more details.
Mail requests to the state take about 8 to 10 weeks. In-person visits can get same-day results. For Telfair County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in McRae-Helena is the only source. The state does not keep those files. FamilySearch also has a free index of older Georgia marriages that may include Telfair County entries.
Telfair County Marriage Ceremonies
Once the Telfair County Probate Court issues a license, any authorized person can perform the ceremony. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, judges, ministers, and ordained clergy are all authorized to officiate. The Probate Court may also conduct civil ceremonies, but check with the Telfair County office first since availability varies. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and must return it to the Telfair County Probate Court within 30 days.
The court records the marriage once the signed license is returned. A certified marriage certificate is then mailed to the couple, which takes about 30 days. If you need it sooner, visit the McRae-Helena courthouse and request a copy once the record has been entered. The Georgia Probate Records site also lets you fill out a marriage application online to save time at the window.
More Telfair County Marriage Record Tools
Several online tools can help with your Telfair County marriage record search. The probate court standard forms page has downloadable blank forms used by every Georgia county. The Council of Probate Court Judges provides general information about how probate courts handle records statewide. The Georgia.gov site has a step-by-step guide to the marriage license process.
For specific questions about Telfair County records, contact the Probate Court directly at (229) 868-6683. Staff in McRae-Helena can tell you what is on file and how to request copies.
Nearby Counties
Telfair County shares borders with several counties in south-central Georgia. If you need a marriage record from a neighboring county, contact one of these Probate Courts.