Access Turner County Marriage Records

Turner County marriage records are available through the Probate Court in Ashburn, Georgia. The court issues all marriage licenses for the county and stores completed marriage certificates. Ashburn is the county seat and sits in south-central Georgia along Interstate 75. The Probate Court on East College Avenue is the sole office for marriage-related services in Turner County. If you need a license, a copy of a past record, or want to know how the process works here, this page has the details. Read on for fees, requirements, and search methods for Turner County marriage records.

Turner County Probate Court

The Turner County Probate Court is at 219 East College Avenue, Room 2, in Ashburn. All marriage licenses and marriage record requests go through this office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people applying for a license must come in at the same time. No appointment is needed, but getting there early in the day is a good idea.

Turner County is a small, quiet county. The Probate Court handles marriages alongside estates, guardianships, and other probate matters. Because of the small population, the office is usually not crowded. You should be able to get in and out fairly quickly on most days.

Turner County Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee in Turner County is $56 without premarital education. Couples who finish a qualifying premarital course of at least six hours pay only $16 per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The course must be completed within the year before applying. Bring the certificate of completion when you visit the Turner County Probate Court.

Certified copies of Turner County marriage records are $10 for the first one. Each extra copy at the same time costs $5. The court takes cash and money orders. Call (229) 567-2151 to ask about other payment methods.

Note: These fees match the statewide schedule set by Georgia law and apply equally in every county.

How to Search Turner County Marriage Records

Go to the Turner County Probate Court in Ashburn. Provide the names of both people and the marriage date if you know it. The clerk will search the records and can produce a certified copy for $10. Simple as that. Most requests get filled while you wait.

You can request by mail too. Send a letter to the Turner County Probate Court at 219 E. College Avenue, Room 2, Ashburn, GA 31714. Include the full names, date of marriage, your return address, and a $10 money order. Give it a few weeks for processing and mailing.

The Georgia Probate Records site has an online search tool. Enter a name and pick Turner County to see if the record is in the database. Online records are not complete for every year, but it is a useful place to start.

This online tool lets you search for marriage records filed in Turner County and other Georgia counties.

Turner County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants need to be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. Both must appear at the Turner County Probate Court in person at the same time. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. Social Security numbers go on the application.

If either person has been married before, the Turner County Probate Court needs proof the prior marriage is done. Bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 says no one can marry while a prior marriage is still active. Documents in foreign languages must have certified English translations.

There is no waiting period in Georgia. You can marry the same day you get the license. The license is good for 60 days. No blood test has been needed since 2003.

After the Ceremony in Turner County

The person who performs your wedding signs the marriage license. They have 30 days to bring it back to the Turner County Probate Court. Once it is filed, the court puts the marriage on record and sends a certified certificate to the couple by mail. This takes about 30 days.

If you need the certificate right away, visit the courthouse in Ashburn after the license has been filed. A certified copy costs $10. The staff can print one for you on the spot in most cases. Keep your marriage certificate in a safe place. You will need it for name changes, updating insurance, and other legal matters.

State-Level Records for Turner County

The Georgia Department of Public Health stores marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. A Turner County marriage in that range can be obtained from the state office. The fee is $10 and non-refundable. Mail requests go to 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail.

For Turner County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in Ashburn is the only source. The Georgia Archives in Morrow might have microfilm copies of very old records. The Georgia.gov marriage page has general information on the license process statewide.

The DPH fee schedule above shows what it costs to order vital records from the state, including marriage certificates from Turner County.

Online Resources for Turner County

The Georgia Probate Records portal allows you to start a marriage license application online. Fill it out before you visit the Turner County Probate Court. The form stays active for 30 days. You still must go in person to show ID and pay the fee, but the online form speeds things up.

The Council of Probate Court Judges has helpful links and the standard forms page offers downloadable forms for probate courts across Georgia.

Nearby Counties

Turner County borders several other south Georgia counties. Each has its own Probate Court for marriage licenses and records.