Upson County Marriage Records

Upson County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Thomaston, Georgia. The court is the sole office in Upson County for issuing marriage licenses and providing copies of past marriage certificates. Thomaston is the county seat and sits in the central-western part of the state, south of Atlanta. The Probate Court on East Main Street serves all of Upson County. Whether you plan to apply for a marriage license or need to look up an existing record, this is the right office. This page explains the full process, fees, rules, and alternative sources for Upson County marriage records.

Upson County Probate Court

The Upson County Probate Court is located at 116 East Main Street in Thomaston. This is the only office that handles marriage licenses and marriage record requests for Upson County. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people who want a license must be present at the same time. Walk-ins are fine.

Upson County has a population of about 26,000. The Probate Court handles a moderate volume of marriage licenses each year. The staff can usually help you quickly. If you are driving from out of town, a phone call before your trip can confirm that the office will be open and ready to help.

Upson County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Upson County is $56 without premarital counseling. Couples who complete a qualifying course of at least six hours can pay just $16. That is the reduced rate under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The course must be done within 12 months of applying. Bring the completion certificate when you go to the Upson County Probate Court.

Certified copies of Upson County marriage records cost $10 per copy. Additional copies at the same time cost $5 each. The court takes cash and money orders. Card payment availability varies, so call ahead if you plan to pay with a credit or debit card.

Searching for Upson County Marriage Records

Head to the Upson County Probate Court in Thomaston. Give the clerk the names and the date of the marriage. The clerk will check the index and can print a certified copy for $10. If you know the approximate year, that speeds up the search. Most requests are done in a short visit.

Mail-in requests are also accepted. Send a letter to the Upson County Probate Court at 116 E. Main Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, your return address, and a money order for $10. Processing and mailing take a few weeks.

For online searching, the Georgia Probate Records website has a marriage search tool. Enter a name and select Upson County. The database covers many records but is not complete. It is a useful first step.

This online search tool covers marriage records from Upson County and many other Georgia counties.

Upson County Marriage License Rules

Both people must be at least 18 per O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. Both must appear together at the Upson County Probate Court. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport is accepted. Social Security numbers are required on the form.

Previously married applicants must bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 bars marriage while a prior marriage is still in effect. Foreign-language documents need a certified English translation.

Georgia does not have a waiting period. The ceremony can happen the same day the Upson County Probate Court issues the license. There is no blood test requirement. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Note: Upson County follows the same marriage laws as every other Georgia county, so the rules are consistent.

After the Ceremony in Upson County

The officiant signs the marriage license and must return it to the Upson County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. Expect this to take roughly 30 days. If you need the certificate sooner, go to the Probate Court in Thomaston after the license has been filed and pay $10 for a copy.

Store your marriage certificate safely. You will use it for name changes on IDs, updating tax records, changing insurance policies, and many other things.

State Records for Upson County Marriages

The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. An Upson County marriage during that time can be obtained from the state. The fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Mail requests go to 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Allow 8 to 10 weeks by mail.

For marriages before 1952 or after 1996 in Upson County, the Probate Court in Thomaston has the records. The Georgia Archives may have older records on microfilm. The Council of Probate Court Judges website has links and general information about Georgia Probate Courts.

The Georgia.gov page above gives a summary of how to apply for a marriage license anywhere in Georgia.

Online Resources for Upson County

You can start your marriage license application online through georgiaprobaterecords.com. The form stays in the system for 30 days. Both people still need to visit the Upson County Probate Court in Thomaston to show ID and pay the fee. The online application just makes the in-person visit shorter.

The standard forms from the Council of Probate Court Judges are downloadable and can be used for various requests at the Upson County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

Upson County borders several other counties in central-western Georgia. Each has its own Probate Court for marriage records.