Wayne County Marriage Records Search
Wayne County marriage records are maintained by the Probate Court in Jesup, Georgia. The court handles every marriage license issued in the county and keeps copies of all filed marriage certificates. Wayne County is in the southeast part of the state, and the Probate Court on North Brunswick Street serves as the main office for all marriage-related filings. If you need to apply for a license, look up a past marriage record, or get a certified copy, the Wayne County Probate Court is the place to start. The staff can help with most requests during regular business hours.
Wayne County Quick Facts
Wayne County Probate Court
All marriage licenses in Wayne County come through the Probate Court. This is the only office that can issue one. Both people must appear together. The clerk checks IDs, takes down your information, and collects the fee. Most visits take under 30 minutes if you bring everything you need. The court also stores the original records after the signed license comes back from the officiant.
The Wayne County Probate Court is in downtown Jesup. It keeps weekday hours. Walk-ins are welcome, though calling first is always a good idea if you want to make sure the clerk is free.
| Address | 174 N. Brunswick Street Jesup, GA 31545 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (912) 427-5930 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wayne County Marriage License Fees
A standard marriage license in Wayne County costs between $56 and $77. This is for couples who have not taken a premarital counseling course. If you complete an approved course before you apply, the fee drops to between $16 and $37. That is a real savings. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 sets these amounts. The course must run at least six hours and be done within 12 months of your application at the Wayne County Probate Court.
Check with the court about payment methods. Cash and money orders are accepted at most Georgia probate courts. Some take cards. Call (912) 427-5930 to find out what the Wayne County court accepts before you make the drive to Jesup.
Note: Fees paid for a Wayne County marriage license are non-refundable even if the license expires unused.
Searching Wayne County Marriage Records
To look up a marriage record in Wayne County, your best option is the Probate Court in Jesup. Provide the clerk with both names and the approximate date of the marriage. The search is usually quick. A certified copy costs $10. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $5 each. This is the most reliable way to get Wayne County marriage records, especially for older filings.
You can also try the Georgia Probate Records online search. This statewide tool may include Wayne County records in its index. It is free to search and can confirm whether a record exists before you contact the court.
The Council of Probate Court Judges maintains a website with forms and resources used across all Georgia counties.
For very old records, the paper files at the Wayne County courthouse may be the only source. Not everything has been digitized, and records from before the 1980s in particular may require an in-person search.
Marriage License Requirements in Wayne County
Georgia sets the rules for marriage licenses at the state level. Both applicants must be at least 18. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-2, a 17-year-old may apply only with a court order of emancipation, and 15 days must have passed since that order. No one under 17 is eligible. Both people must show up at the Wayne County Probate Court in person.
Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. You also need your Social Security number. If either person has been married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. All documents must be in English or come with a certified translation.
- Photo ID for each person
- Social Security numbers for both
- Proof that any prior marriage ended
- Counseling certificate if you want the reduced fee
- Both must be present at the Wayne County Probate Court
No waiting period. No blood test. The Wayne County license is good for 60 days once issued.
State-Level Marriage Records for Wayne County
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Wayne County marriage falls in that period, you can request a copy from the state Vital Records office. The search fee is $10. Extra copies are $5 each. This fee is not refundable.
Visit the state office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, for same-day service if the record is found. Mail requests can take 8 to 10 weeks. For Wayne County marriages outside the 1952 to 1996 range, the Probate Court in Jesup is your only option.
The DPH fee schedule page outlines all costs for vital records requests including marriage records.
Phone inquiries to the state office go to (404) 679-4702. They can tell you if a Wayne County record is on file before you submit a formal request.
Wayne County Marriage Ceremony Information
After you get the license from the Wayne County Probate Court, the ceremony can happen anywhere in Georgia. It does not have to be in Wayne County. Under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30, judges, ministers, and ordained clergy can officiate. Some probate judges also perform civil ceremonies, but call the Wayne County court first to check.
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and has 30 days to return it to the Wayne County Probate Court. Once the court gets the signed license back, they record the marriage and mail a certified certificate to the couple. This takes about 30 days. If you need the record sooner, check with the courthouse in Jesup to see if it has been entered into the system.
More Wayne County Marriage Record Resources
The Georgia Probate Records website offers online marriage applications that may cut your wait time at the Wayne County courthouse. Standard forms from the Council of Probate Court Judges are free to download. The Georgia.gov marriage page walks you through the full process step by step.
For historical research, the Georgia Archives in Morrow may hold older Wayne County marriage records. FamilySearch and other genealogy sites may also have Wayne County entries in their Georgia marriage indexes.
Nearby Counties
Wayne County borders several other counties in southeast Georgia. If the marriage took place outside Wayne County, check with one of these neighboring Probate Courts.