Find Webster County Marriage Records
Webster County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Preston, Georgia. Webster County is one of the smallest counties in the state, but its Probate Court still handles all marriage license applications and keeps records of every marriage filed there. The courthouse on Hamilton Road is where couples go to apply for a license and where anyone can request copies of past marriage certificates. If you need a Webster County marriage record, the Probate Court in Preston is the one and only office to contact. The staff can help with searches and copies during normal business hours.
Webster County Quick Facts
Webster County Probate Court
The Webster County Probate Court is the sole issuer of marriage licenses in the county. Both people who want to get married must visit the office together. No one can apply on behalf of someone else. The clerk will review your documents, take down the required information, and collect the fee. Most couples finish the process in a single visit as long as they have all the right paperwork with them.
Since Webster County is quite small, the court may have limited hours on certain days. Calling ahead is a smart move to make sure the office is open and the clerk is available when you plan to visit Preston.
| Address | 6330 Hamilton Road Preston, GA 31824 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 828-3521 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Marriage License Fees in Webster County
A marriage license in Webster County costs $56 to $77 for couples who have not taken premarital counseling. If you finish an approved counseling course before you apply, the fee drops to $16 to $37. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 makes this discount possible. The course must be at least six hours and done within one year of when you apply at the Webster County Probate Court in Preston.
Plan to pay with cash or a money order. Small county courts in Georgia sometimes do not take credit cards or checks. Call the Webster County Probate Court at (229) 828-3521 to check before you go. The savings from premarital counseling can be as much as $40, so it may be worth looking into.
Note: License fees at the Webster County Probate Court are non-refundable even if the marriage does not happen.
How to Search Webster County Marriage Records
The most reliable way to find a Webster County marriage record is to contact the Probate Court in Preston. Tell the clerk the names of both people and the approximate date of the marriage. The staff will search the files and let you know what they find. A certified copy is $10. Each extra copy is $5 when ordered at the same time.
You can also try an online search. The Georgia Probate Records marriage search portal covers many counties in the state. It is worth checking to see if Webster County records appear in their index.
The Georgia Probate Records portal provides access to marriage license records filed across Georgia counties.
Since Webster County is one of the least populated counties in Georgia, the volume of records is small. That can make in-person searches faster than in larger counties, but it also means online coverage may be limited for older records.
Webster County Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply only if they have a court order of emancipation with at least 15 days passed since the order, per O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. No one under 17 may get a license. Both people must show up at the Webster County Probate Court in person with valid photo ID.
Accepted IDs include a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Both people need their Social Security number. If either applicant was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. All paperwork must be in English. Documents in other languages need a certified translation before the Webster County court will accept them.
- Valid photo ID for both people
- Social Security numbers
- Proof prior marriage ended if applicable
- Premarital counseling certificate for reduced fee
- Both applicants present in person
- Payment for the license fee
No waiting period. No blood test. The Webster County license is valid for 60 days after it is issued.
State Marriage Records for Webster County
The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. If the Webster County marriage you need is in that range, contact the DPH Vital Records office. The search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Extra copies cost $5 each when ordered at the same time.
The state office is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Walk-in visitors can sometimes get same-day service. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process. For Webster County marriages outside the 1952 to 1996 period, the Probate Court in Preston is the only place with records.
The DPH website shows the fee schedule for vital records including marriage certificates.
Call the state office at (404) 679-4702 to ask about a specific Webster County record before you file a formal request.
Ceremonies and Filing in Webster County
After the Webster County Probate Court issues the license, you can hold the ceremony anywhere in the state. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30 allows judges, ministers, and ordained clergy to officiate. The Webster County Probate Court may perform civil ceremonies too, but call ahead to check. Not all small-county judges do ceremonies regularly.
The officiant must sign the license after the ceremony and return it to the Webster County Probate Court within 30 days. Once the court gets it, they file the marriage record and mail a certified certificate to the couple within about 30 days. If you need the record sooner, visit the courthouse in Preston once the filing is done.
Additional Webster County Marriage Resources
The Georgia Probate Records site lets you fill out a marriage application online before your visit to the courthouse in Preston. Standard forms are available for free at the Council of Probate Court Judges website. The Georgia.gov marriage license page offers a plain guide to the process from start to finish.
For historical marriage records, the Georgia Archives may have older Webster County records on microfilm. These can be useful for genealogy work or when the Probate Court does not have records going back far enough for your needs.
Nearby Counties
Webster County borders several other counties in southwest Georgia. If you need a marriage record from outside Webster County, try one of these Probate Courts.