Find Terrell County Marriage Records
Terrell County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Dawson, Georgia. This southwest Georgia county relies on its Probate Court to handle all marriage license applications, record storage, and certified copy requests. The office on South Broad Street in Dawson is the place to go for anything related to marriage records in Terrell County. From new license applications to copies of old marriage certificates, the court staff can help with it all during regular business hours throughout the week.
Terrell County Quick Facts
Terrell County Probate Court
The Terrell County Probate Court is the one office in the county that handles marriage licenses and marriage records. It is located at 99 South Broad Street in Dawson. Both applicants must visit the Terrell County Probate Court in person to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send one person alone or apply by mail for a new license. The clerk reviews identification, processes the paperwork, collects the fee, and issues the license during the same visit if everything checks out.
The office is open weekdays. Dawson is a small city, and the court staff are familiar with the process. Still, calling (229) 995-5515 before your trip is wise so you know the clerk will be ready to help. Walk-ins are accepted at the Terrell County courthouse during regular hours.
| Address | 99 S. Broad Street Dawson, GA 39842 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 995-5515 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Getting Terrell County Marriage Records
You can get copies of Terrell County marriage records by visiting the Probate Court in Dawson. Bring the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The clerk searches the files and provides a certified copy if the record is on hand. The fee is $10 per copy. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Most in-person requests at the Terrell County courthouse take just a few minutes.
Mail requests are another way to get records. Send a letter with the names, date of marriage, and a $10 check or money order to the Terrell County Probate Court at 99 S. Broad Street, Dawson, GA 39842. Include your return address. You can call (229) 995-5515 beforehand to see if the Terrell County record you need is on file. Phone requests for certified copies are not usually filled, but the staff can at least tell you if the record exists.
For online research, the Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool covers records from many Georgia counties. It is free and worth checking before you contact the Terrell County office directly. Not all records are in the online index, but newer ones sometimes are.
Terrell County Marriage License Fees
The cost of a marriage license in Terrell County ranges from $56 to $77 without premarital counseling. Couples who finish a qualifying course before applying pay between $16 and $37 instead. O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 authorizes this reduction. The counseling must last at least six hours and be completed within one year of the application date at the Terrell County Probate Court. Bring the certificate when you go in to get the lower rate.
Cash and money orders are the safest payment options. Not all courts in Georgia take cards, so check with the Terrell County office before your visit. Once the fee is paid, it is not refundable.
Terrell County Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be 18 or older under Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, the only exception is a 17-year-old with a court-issued emancipation order, and at least 15 days must have passed since the ruling. Both applicants must go to the Terrell County Probate Court together. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID are all fine.
If you were married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. All documents must be in English. Foreign-language papers need a certified translation. O.C.G.A. 19-3-1 says both people must be of sound mind and not currently in another marriage to get a license in Terrell County. These are the same rules that apply in every county across Georgia.
- Valid photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security numbers for both
- Certified divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
- Counseling certificate for the discounted license fee
- Both present in person at the Terrell County Probate Court
No waiting period. No blood test. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
Note: Georgia no longer recognizes common-law marriages formed after January 1, 1997.
State Marriage Records for Terrell County
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from 1952 to 1996 at its state Vital Records office. If the Terrell County marriage falls in that period, you can request a copy from the state. The search fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Additional copies cost $5 each. The office is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 for information.
The Georgia Probate Records online portal provides another way to search for marriage records from home.
Mail requests to the state Vital Records office take about 8 to 10 weeks. In-person visits can get same-day results if the record is found. For marriages in Terrell County before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Dawson is the only source. The Georgia Archives may also have older Terrell County records on microfilm.
Ceremonies and Filing in Terrell County
After receiving a license from the Terrell County Probate Court, you need someone authorized to perform the ceremony. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, judges, ministers, and ordained clergy can officiate. The Probate Court may also do civil ceremonies, but call the Terrell County office first to check availability. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the court within 30 days of the ceremony.
Once the court gets the signed license, the marriage is officially recorded. A certified marriage certificate is mailed to the couple within about 30 days. If you need it sooner, visit the courthouse in Dawson after the record is entered and ask for a copy at the window. The probate court forms page has blank documents that can help you prepare for the process.
Additional Terrell County Resources
The Georgia Probate Records website lets you start a marriage application online before your visit to the courthouse. The Council of Probate Court Judges has general information about how all 159 Georgia county probate courts work. The Georgia.gov marriage page offers a clear overview of the license process. FamilySearch keeps a free index of older Georgia marriages for genealogy research.
For questions about specific Terrell County records, call the Probate Court in Dawson at (229) 995-5515. The staff can tell you what records are on file and how to get copies.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Terrell County in southwest Georgia. If the marriage was recorded somewhere else, check one of these neighboring Probate Courts.