Search Towns County Marriage Records

Towns County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Hiawassee, Georgia. This mountain county in northeast Georgia is one of the smallest in the state. The Probate Court on River Street handles all marriage licenses and keeps past marriage certificates. Hiawassee draws visitors year-round, and some couples choose to get married in the area because of the scenic setting. Whether you plan to marry in Towns County or need to look up a past marriage record, the Probate Court is your main resource. This guide covers the steps, costs, and details for Towns County marriage records.

Towns County Probate Court Information

The Towns County Probate Court is at 48 River Street, Suite C, in Hiawassee. This is the sole office for marriage licenses and marriage record requests in the county. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both applicants need to appear together for a license. No appointment is necessary.

Towns County has a small population. The Probate Court office is small too. Waits tend to be short. The staff handles marriages, estates, and other probate work, but you should not have trouble getting help with a marriage record request during normal hours. If you are traveling from out of town, call ahead to confirm they will be open when you plan to visit.

Towns County Marriage License Costs

The fee for a marriage license in Towns County is $56 if you skip counseling. This is the same rate found across Georgia. If both people take a premarital education course that is at least six hours long and done within the past year, the fee drops to $16 as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. That is a $40 savings. The course must be from a recognized provider.

Copies of Towns County marriage records cost $10 for the first certified copy. Additional copies cost $5 each. Cash and money orders are accepted at the Towns County Probate Court. Ask about card payments when you call or visit.

Note: The search fee applies even if the record is not found in the Towns County system.

How to Find Towns County Marriage Records

Go to the Probate Court in Hiawassee with the names of both spouses and the marriage date. The clerk will look up the record and print a certified copy for $10. This is the fastest way to get a Towns County marriage record.

Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter to Towns County Probate Court, 48 River Street Suite C, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Include names, dates, your return address, and a $10 money order. The court will search and mail a copy back. Allow a few weeks.

You can search online using the Georgia Probate Records search page. Enter the name and county to see what is in the database. Some Towns County marriage records appear in this system. Not all records are online, though.

The Council of Probate Court Judges site shown above provides links and resources for all Georgia Probate Courts, including the Towns County office.

Towns County Marriage License Requirements

Georgia law requires both people to be at least 18 years old per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. Each person brings a valid photo ID to the Towns County Probate Court. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. Social Security numbers are needed on the application.

Previously married? Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate to prove the earlier marriage ended. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 bars marriage while a prior marriage is still in effect. Documents in a foreign language need a certified English translation.

There is no waiting period in Georgia. Once you have the license from Towns County, the ceremony can happen that day. No blood test is required. The marriage license is good for 60 days.

After the Wedding in Towns County

The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Towns County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. That typically takes about a month. If you cannot wait, visit the courthouse in Hiawassee once the license is on file. A certified copy costs $10 and is usually ready while you wait.

Keep your marriage certificate in a safe spot. It is an important legal document. You will need it for changing your name on IDs, updating insurance, and other matters.

State-Level Marriage Records for Towns County

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. A Towns County marriage in that date range can be found through the state office. The fee is $10 and is not refundable. Send mail requests to 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 with questions. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for a response.

For Towns County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, contact the Probate Court in Hiawassee directly. The Georgia Archives may have microfilm of old records. The Georgia.gov site has an overview of marriage license rules for the state.

The DPH fee schedule above shows current costs for ordering vital records from the state, including marriage certificates.

Online Tools for Towns County

The Georgia Probate Records website lets you fill out a marriage license application online. This saves time at the Towns County Probate Court. The form stays in the system for 30 days. You still need to go in person to finish the process and show your ID.

The standard forms page from the Council of Probate Court Judges has downloadable forms used by all Georgia Probate Courts. These can be useful for mail-in requests.

Nearby Counties

Towns County borders just two other Georgia counties. Both have their own Probate Courts for marriage records.