Find Tift County Marriage Records

Tift County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Tifton, Georgia. The court handles marriage license applications, stores completed marriage certificates, and provides certified copies on request. Tifton is the county seat and sits in south-central Georgia. Whether you are looking to get married or need a copy of an existing marriage record from Tift County, the Probate Court on Tift Avenue is the primary office. This page covers the full process for licenses, record searches, fees, and other details specific to Tift County.

Tift County Probate Court Details

The Tift County Probate Court is at 225 Tift Avenue North, Room 211, in Tifton. This is the only place in Tift County where you can get a marriage license or look up a marriage record. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people applying for a marriage license must come in together. No appointment is needed, but getting there early helps.

Tifton is the largest city in Tift County and serves as the hub for all county government offices. The courthouse is in the center of town. Parking is available nearby. The Probate Court staff handles all marriage-related requests for Tift County residents and anyone choosing to get married in Tift County.

Tift County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Tift County is $56 without premarital counseling. This is the base rate set by Georgia law. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education course pay only $16. The course must be at least six hours and finished within a year of the application. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1 covers the details on the discount. The Tift County Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, and cards.

Certified copies of marriage records from Tift County cost $10 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $5. These fees are standard across Georgia.

Note: The $10 search fee is not refundable if no record is found in the Tift County files.

How to Search Tift County Marriage Records

To find a Tift County marriage record, go to the Probate Court in Tifton. Provide the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage. The clerk will search the index and pull the record if it exists. A certified copy costs $10. Staff can usually produce the copy while you wait.

Mail requests also work. Send a letter to the Tift County Probate Court at 225 Tift Avenue N, Room 211, Tifton, GA 31794. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, your return address, and a money order for $10. Allow a few weeks for the office to process your request and mail the copy back.

The Georgia Probate Records website has an online search tool for marriage records. You can search by name and county. Not every Tift County record may appear online, but it is a good first step before calling or visiting the court.

This portal gives access to many Georgia probate court records, including marriage licenses filed in Tift County.

Tift County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. Both must show up at the Tift County Probate Court in person at the same time. Each needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. Social Security numbers are required on the application.

If either person has been married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate showing that the prior marriage ended. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 says you cannot get a new license while a prior marriage is still active. Any foreign-language documents must have a certified English translation attached.

Georgia does not have a waiting period or a blood test requirement. Once you get the marriage license from the Tift County Probate Court, you can have the ceremony that same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.

After Your Tift County Wedding

The person who performs the ceremony signs the license. They must return the signed license to the Tift County Probate Court within 30 days. Once it is recorded, the court sends a certified marriage certificate to the couple by mail. This can take up to 30 days. If you need the certificate faster, visit the Probate Court in Tifton after the license has been recorded and request a copy for $10.

Keep the certified copy in a safe place. You may need it for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters. If you ever lose it, the Tift County Probate Court can issue a new certified copy at any time.

State-Level Records for Tift County

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. If a Tift County marriage happened in that window, you can request a copy from the state office. The fee is $10. Mail requests go to the State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can also call (404) 679-4702 for more information. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail.

For marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Tift County Probate Court in Tifton is your source. The Georgia Archives in Morrow may also have older records on microfilm. The standard forms from the Council of Probate Court Judges can help if you need blanks for your request.

Online Tools for Tift County Marriage Records

The Georgia Probate Records website lets you fill out a marriage license application online before your visit to the Tift County Probate Court. This can save time at the counter. The application stays active for 30 days. Both people still need to appear at the court in person to finish the process and pay the fee.

The Georgia.gov marriage page has a general overview of how to apply for a marriage license in any Georgia county. It covers the basic steps and links to more resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Tift County. Each has its own Probate Court that handles marriage records and licenses.