Thomas County Marriage Records

Thomas County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Thomasville, Georgia. This office issues all new marriage licenses and stores past marriage certificates for the county. Thomasville sits in the southern part of the state, near the Florida line, and the Probate Court serves everyone in Thomas County. If you need a marriage license or want to search for an old record, the court on North Madison Street is the place to go. You can handle most things in person during regular business hours. This guide walks through fees, steps, and where to look for Thomas County marriage records.

Thomas County Probate Court Information

The Thomas County Probate Court is at 325 North Madison Street in Thomasville. This is the only office in Thomas County that handles marriage licenses and marriage record searches. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people who want to get married must show up in person at the same time. Walk-ins are fine, but plan to arrive well before closing if you need a marriage license.

Staff at the Thomas County Probate Court can help you look up older marriage records too. If you know the names and approximate date of the marriage, they can pull the file. Service is generally quick at this office. Thomas County is smaller than many Georgia counties, so long waits are uncommon.

Marriage License Fees in Thomas County

A marriage license in Thomas County costs $56 without premarital counseling. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education course can get the license for just $16. That is a big savings. The course must last at least six hours and be finished within 12 months of the application, as set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The Thomas County Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards. A small service fee may apply to card payments.

Certified copies of Thomas County marriage records cost $10 each. You pay at the time of the request. Extra copies are $5 each if ordered at the same time. These fees are set by Georgia law and apply across the state, so Thomas County charges the same as other counties.

How to Search Thomas County Marriage Records

Start at the Thomas County Probate Court in Thomasville. Give the clerk the full names of both parties and the marriage date if you know it. The clerk will search the files and can print a certified copy on the spot. The cost is $10. This works for any marriage that took place in Thomas County.

You can also use the Georgia Probate Records online portal to search for Thomas County marriage records. The site lets you look up marriages by name and county. Not all records are online yet, but it is a good starting point before you contact the court directly.

The screenshot below shows the search page on the Georgia Probate Records site.

This portal covers many Georgia counties including Thomas County. Results may include the marriage date, license number, and the names of both spouses.

Thomas County Marriage License Requirements

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2 requires both people to be at least 18 years old. Both must appear at the Thomas County Probate Court together. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. Social Security numbers are also required on the application form.

If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate. This proves the previous marriage has ended. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1, no person may get married while still legally married to someone else. Foreign documents need a certified English translation.

Georgia has no waiting period. Once the Thomas County Probate Court issues the license, you can hold the ceremony that same day. The license stays valid for 60 days. No blood test has been required in Georgia since 2003.

Note: Make sure to arrive before 4:30 PM for marriage license services at the Thomas County Probate Court.

After the Wedding in Thomas County

The officiant who performs the ceremony must sign the marriage license. They have 30 days to return it to the Thomas County Probate Court. Once it is filed, the marriage is officially on record. The court will mail a certified marriage certificate to the couple. This usually takes about 30 days.

If you need a copy sooner, go to the Probate Court in Thomasville after the license has been filed. Ask for a certified copy and pay $10. The staff can print one while you wait.

State Records for Thomas County Marriages

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If a Thomas County marriage falls in that range, you can request a copy from the state. The fee is $10 and is not refundable even if no record is found. Mail your request to the State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone inquiries go to (404) 679-4702. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for mail requests.

For Thomas County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, only the Probate Court in Thomasville has the records. The Georgia Archives may have microfilm copies of very old records. It is worth checking if the Probate Court does not have what you need.

You can visit the Georgia.gov marriage page for a general overview of how marriage licenses work across the state.

The Georgia.gov site has step-by-step instructions for getting vital records from the state, including marriage certificates.

Thomas County Marriage Record Resources

Several state resources can help with Thomas County marriage records. The Council of Probate Court Judges has general information about Georgia Probate Courts. The standard forms page has forms that apply to all counties, including Thomas County. These forms are free to download and print.

The Georgia Probate Records site is the main online portal for probate courts across the state. You can fill out marriage license applications online through this system. The application saves in the system for up to 30 days. You still have to visit the Thomas County Probate Court in person to finish the process, but the online form cuts down on time at the window.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Thomas County. Each has its own Probate Court for marriage records and licenses.