Walker County Marriage Records

Walker County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in LaFayette, Georgia. The court issues marriage licenses and keeps all completed marriage certificates for the county on file. LaFayette is the county seat and sits in the northwest corner of the state, close to the Tennessee and Alabama borders. The Probate Court on South Duke Street is the one office in Walker County where you handle marriage-related business. If you want to get married here or need a copy of a marriage record, this guide walks you through every step, fee, and requirement for Walker County marriage records.

Walker County Probate Court Details

The Walker County Probate Court is at 103 South Duke Street in LaFayette. This office handles all marriage licenses and marriage record searches for Walker County. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both applicants must show up at the same time for a marriage license. Walk-ins are welcome, and the office generally has manageable wait times.

Walker County has a population of around 70,000. The Probate Court stays reasonably busy. LaFayette is the main town, and the courthouse is centrally located. If you live in Chickamauga, Rossville, or elsewhere in Walker County, you will need to come to the LaFayette office for any marriage-related matters. The court does not have satellite locations.

Walker County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Walker County costs $56 without premarital counseling. Couples who complete a qualifying course of at least six hours pay $16 instead. That is the reduced rate under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. The course must be finished within 12 months of the application. Bring the certificate to the Walker County Probate Court when you apply.

Certified copies of Walker County marriage records are $10 each. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $5. The court accepts cash, money orders, and cards. A small service fee may apply for card payments. Personal checks are not always accepted, so bring an alternative form of payment.

Note: Fees in Walker County match the statewide schedule set by Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60.

How to Search Walker County Marriage Records

Go to the Walker County Probate Court in LaFayette. Give the clerk the names of both spouses and the marriage date. The clerk searches the files and prints a certified copy for $10. Most requests are completed while you wait.

Mail requests also work. Write to the Walker County Probate Court at 103 S. Duke Street, LaFayette, GA 30728. Include the names, marriage date, your address, and a $10 money order. The court will process the request and mail the copy back. Expect a few weeks for delivery.

You can search online through the Georgia Probate Records marriage search page. Select Walker County and enter a name. The database includes many records, though it may not cover every year. Still, it is a good place to start before calling or visiting the court.

The portal above provides access to marriage records and other probate records from Walker County and other Georgia counties.

Walker County Marriage License Rules

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

If either person has been married before, the Walker County Probate Court requires proof the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is needed. O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 prohibits issuing a new license while a prior marriage is still active. Foreign documents need a certified English translation.

Georgia has no waiting period or blood test. Once Walker County issues the license, you can marry the same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date.

After the Wedding in Walker County

The officiant signs the license and has 30 days to return it to the Walker County Probate Court. Once filed, the court records the marriage and mails a certified certificate to the couple. This takes roughly 30 days.

Want it faster? Visit the Probate Court in LaFayette after the license is filed. Pay $10 and get a certified copy printed on the spot. Many couples do this rather than wait for the mailed version. Keep your marriage certificate in a safe location. You will need it for legal purposes.

State Marriage Records for Walker County

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For a Walker County marriage in that period, you can request a copy from the state office. The fee is $10 and is non-refundable. Mail to 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for mail responses.

For Walker County marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Probate Court in LaFayette has the records. The Georgia Archives in Morrow may have microfilm of older records. The standard forms from the Council of Probate Court Judges can help with various requests.

The Council of Probate Court Judges site above has links, resources, and forms for all Georgia Probate Courts including Walker County.

Online Tools for Walker County

Start a marriage license application online at georgiaprobaterecords.com. Fill out the form before you go to the Walker County Probate Court. The application stays in the system for 30 days. Both people must still appear in LaFayette with ID and payment, but having the form done ahead of time saves significant time at the counter.

The Georgia.gov marriage page gives a general overview of how the license process works in every Georgia county.

Nearby Counties

Walker County is in the far northwest corner of Georgia. These neighboring counties each have their own Probate Court for marriage records.