Access White County Marriage Records
White County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Cleveland, Georgia. Located in the northeast Georgia mountains, White County draws many couples who want to marry in a scenic setting. The Probate Court on South Main Street handles every marriage license application in the county. It also keeps records of all marriages filed there over the years. Whether you plan to get married in White County or need a copy of an old marriage certificate, the Probate Court is the office to visit. Staff can help with license applications, record searches, and certified copies.
White County Quick Facts
White County Probate Court Details
The White County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. Both applicants must visit the court in person. You cannot send one person to handle it alone. The clerk will check your IDs, take down the details, and collect the fee. If you have all the right paperwork, the visit should take less than half an hour. White County sees a fair number of marriage license requests, especially from couples planning mountain weddings in the area.
The court is open Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are accepted, but calling ahead can help you avoid a wait, especially during busy wedding months in the spring and fall.
| Address | 59 S. Main Street Cleveland, GA 30528 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 865-2215 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
White County Marriage License Fees
A marriage license in White County costs between $56 and $77 for couples without premarital counseling. If you take an approved course before applying, the cost drops to $16 to $37. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30.1 allows this discount. The course must be at least six hours long and completed within one year of the date you apply at the White County Probate Court.
Many couples choose to take the counseling course because the savings can be significant. Churches, community organizations, and licensed therapists in the Cleveland area offer programs that meet the state requirements. Ask the White County Probate Court staff for a list of approved providers if you need one.
Note: Check with the White County court about payment methods before your visit, as not all probate courts accept cards.
Searching White County Marriage Records
To find a White County marriage record, start with the Probate Court in Cleveland. Give the clerk the full names of both spouses and the estimated date of the marriage. They will search the files. A certified copy costs $10. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $5 each.
Online options exist too. The Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool covers many Georgia counties and may include White County entries. The search is free and can save you a trip if the record shows up in the index.
The Georgia Archives website offers guidance on researching historical vital records including marriage certificates.
For very old White County records, the paper files at the courthouse may be the only option. Records from the 1800s and early 1900s are not always digitized, so a visit to Cleveland or a phone call to (706) 865-2215 is the surest way to check.
White County Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must be 18 or older under Georgia law. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court-granted emancipation order, and 15 days must have passed since that order per O.C.G.A. 19-3-2. No one under 17 is eligible for a marriage license. Both people must appear in person at the White County Probate Court.
You each need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Social Security numbers are required for both applicants. If either person was previously married, bring proof that it ended. This means a certified divorce decree or death certificate. All documents must be in English. Certified translations are needed for anything in another language.
- Photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers
- Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
- Counseling certificate for the lower fee
- Both parties present in person at the court
Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. The White County license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
State Marriage Records for White County
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996 at the state level. If your White County marriage record falls in that window, you can request a copy from the DPH Vital Records office in Atlanta. The search fee is $10 and is not refundable. Additional copies are $5 each when ordered at the same time.
Visit the state office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Walk-in service can be same-day if the record is found. Requests by mail take 8 to 10 weeks. For White County marriages outside the 1952 to 1996 range, the Probate Court in Cleveland is the only source.
The Georgia Department of Public Health lists fees and request steps on its vital records page.
The state office phone number is (404) 679-4702. You can call to ask if a White County record is in their files before you submit a written request.
Ceremonies in White County
White County is a popular spot for weddings, with mountain views and outdoor venues drawing people from all over the state. Once the Probate Court issues your license, the ceremony can take place anywhere in Georgia. Judges, ministers, and ordained clergy can officiate under O.C.G.A. 19-3-30. The White County Probate Court may also perform civil ceremonies. Call ahead to check the schedule.
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the White County Probate Court within 30 days. The court then records the marriage and sends a certified certificate to the couple by mail. This process takes about 30 days. If you need proof sooner, visit the courthouse in Cleveland after the record has been filed.
White County Marriage Record Resources
Several online resources can help with White County marriage records. The Georgia Probate Records website lets you start a marriage application online before visiting the courthouse. The Council of Probate Court Judges posts standard forms used across all Georgia counties. The Georgia.gov marriage page provides a plain overview of the process.
Historical records may be available at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. White County records that go back many decades might be on microfilm there. FamilySearch also has Georgia marriage indexes that can be helpful for genealogy work or locating older White County entries.
Nearby Counties
White County sits in the northeast Georgia mountains near several other counties. If the marriage record you need is not in White County, try one of these Probate Courts.