Georgia Marriage Records < How To Find Marriage Records In Georgia
How To Find Marriage Records In Georgia.

Online State Resources
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) preserves matrimonial records from June 9, 1952, to August 1996. You may request these documents via the DPH Vital Records Office. The charge for a certified copy is $10, with extra copies being $5 apiece. Submissions can be made online, through the postal service, or face-to-face.
For earlier archives, the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault provides a repository of scanned marriage records from microfilm. This resource is especially helpful for genealogical exploration and includes documents from various counties reaching back to the late 18th century.
It’s vital to remember that Georgia statute (O.C.G.A. § 31-10-25) limits entry to marriage records under 75 years old to the individuals involved, their direct relatives, or authorized legal representatives. For older documents, public access is typically allowed.
County-Level Resources
For marriages prior to 1952 or after 1996, you’ll need to reach out to the probate court in the jurisdiction where the license was issued. Each county upholds its records independently and may follow varied protocols and costs for obtaining duplicates.
The Georgia Probate Courts Directory lists contact details for all 159 county probate courts. Several counties now offer online lookup functions or request forms on their web portals. For instance, Fulton County Probate Court facilitates online searches and submissions for marriage records.
When contacting county offices, ensure you provide accurate details such as the complete names of both individuals, the wedding date, and your connection to the persons involved if the record is younger than 75 years.
City-Level Resources
Though the majority of Georgia marriage records are maintained at the county level, certain cities in Georgia might have added resources. The Atlanta Municipal Archives houses older records that might contain marriage information specific to the city of Atlanta.
Other prominent cities like Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus may maintain comparable archival collections. Inquire with the city clerk’s office or local heritage organizations for city-specific marriage record databases.
Making Records Requests
In-Person Requests
For the most expedient service, consider visiting the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta or a County Vital Records Office directly. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID and the applicable fee. Same-day service is frequently available for in-person requests.
Mail-In Requests
To request marriage records by mail, download and complete the Marriage Record Request Form available on the DPH website. Mail the completed form along with a copy of your identification and the payment to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Mail requests typically take about 8-10 weeks to process.
Phone Requests
While direct phone requests aren’t accepted, you can contact the State Office of Vital Records at (404) 656-5125 to receive details on how to submit a request or check the status of an existing one.
Searching Without Online Databases
If you can’t locate the necessary record using online platforms, consider these alternatives:
- Visit the local courthouse in person to examine physical records.
- Contact county historical societies or genealogical groups for help.
- Investigate nearby libraries, which often have microfilm collections containing older records.
The Georgia Genealogical Society can offer invaluable assistance for those searching for elusive records.
Marriage Certificates vs. Marriage Licenses
In Georgia, there’s a notable distinction between a marriage certificate and a marriage license:
- A marriage license is issued before the ceremony and grants permission for the marriage to occur.
- A marriage certificate is generated after the ceremony and confirms that the marriage has taken place.
When requesting records, make sure to clarify which document is required. Marriage licenses are generally managed by probate courts, while marriage certificates, recorded post-ceremony, may be available through both the probate court and the DPH Vital Records Office, contingent on the date of marriage.
Free Search Options
Several no-cost resources exist for searching Georgia marriage records:
- FamilySearch.org hosts a searchable index of Georgia marriage records from 1785 to 1950.
- The USGenWeb Project for Georgia provides county-level materials and transcriptions of marriage records.
- Georgia’s Virtual Vault includes scanned marriage records from various counties.
These tools are particularly advantageous for genealogical searches and uncovering older records.
Third-Party Research Tools
Although official records should always be obtained from government offices, third-party services can be helpful for initial queries:
- Genealogy platforms frequently feature indexed databases of marriage records.
- Subscription-based platforms may aggregate records from diverse sources.
Keep in mind that any information located via these services should be corroborated with official documentation.
Tips for Successful Searches
To boost your likelihood of finding the marriage record you seek:
- Collect as many details as possible before commencing your search, such as complete names, approximate date, and the county of marriage.
- Be mindful of name changes and potential misspellings in historical documents.
- If uncertain about the exact wedding date, try searching across date ranges.
- Consider neighboring counties if the record doesn’t surface in the anticipated jurisdiction.
Historical Marriage Records
For marriages conducted before 1900:
- Review the Georgia Archives for microfilm and digitized collections.
- Refer to church documents, as many earlier weddings were officiated by clergy.
- Seek out marriage bonds, which occasionally replaced licenses in Georgia’s early history.
Native American marriage records might be sourced through the Bureau of Indian Affairs or individual tribal offices.
Understanding Marriage Records in Georgia
Types of Georgia Marriage Records
Georgia retains various types of marital records, each fulfilling distinct functions and containing different levels of specificity. The main categories encompass:
Marriage Licenses are official documents issued by county probate courts that grant authorization for a pair to wed. These records typically include the names of both individuals, the issuance date, and the county where the license was provided.
Marriage Certificates are formal documents issued post-ceremony, certifying that the wedding occurred. These records usually contain the names of the spouses, the wedding date, the location of the event, and the officiant’s name.
Marriage Bonds were prevalent during earlier eras in Georgia’s timeline, particularly prior to 1805. These documents acted as a monetary guarantee ensuring no lawful hindrance to the matrimony.
Marriage Applications became more intricate records in 1924. These forms gather detailed information about the individuals, including ages, birthplaces, and their parents’ names.
Alongside these primary types, researchers might also come across Marriage Banns, which were public proclamations of a forthcoming wedding, often made in churches. Though less common, these can provide vital clues for ancestral and historical investigations.
Information Contained in Georgia Marriage Records
The content within Georgia’s marriage records has transformed across eras, with newer records generally featuring more comprehensive details. Typically, you can expect to find:
Basic Information: All marriage documents will list the names of both spouses, the wedding date, and the county where the union took place.
Expanded Details: Post-1924 applications tend to feature additional information such as the ages of the couple, their places of origin, professions, and their parents’ identities. Some documents might also note if it was a first marriage for either party.
Historical Records: Older documents, particularly those from the 19th century, may be more concise but can still offer key genealogical insights. They often include the name of the officiating judge or clergy member.
It’s crucial to remember that the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside these dates, researchers should connect with the relevant county probate court.
Legal Framework for Marriage Records in Georgia
The legal foundation for marriage records in Georgia stems from several vital legislative acts:
The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) regulates public access to governmental records, including marriage records. This law ensures most marriage records are accessible to the public, with certain restrictions for more recent documents.
Privacy statutes, especially O.C.G.A. § 31-10-25, limit access to records younger than 75 years to the individuals involved, their close relatives, or legal agents. This protects personal privacy while allowing historical and genealogical inquiries for older documents.
Retention durations for marriage records are dictated by the Georgia Archives’ Records Retention Schedules. These schedules guarantee that marriage records are conserved for legal and historical purposes.
Evolution of Marriage Record Keeping in Georgia
The progression of marriage record keeping in Georgia mirrors the state’s shifting legal and societal landscape:
During the Colonial Period, marriages were often logged in church registries or family Bibles, with minimal governmental oversight.
The Act of 1785 (Watkins, p. 314) recognized marriages officiated by ministers or justices of the peace, mandating public announcement or a license from the governor or probate register.
The 1789 Act (Watkins, p. 415; Marbury & Crawford, p. 218) permitted county probate registers to issue marriage licenses and imposed penalties for officiating marriages without a license or proper banns publication.
In 1875, the State Board of Health briefly took charge of documenting marriages, resulting in more detailed records during 1875-1876 in select counties.
The modern phase of marriage documentation began in 1924, with the standardization of marriage applications, collecting a more exhaustive range of details about couples.
Today, marriage records are preserved by county probate courts and the Georgia Department of Public Health, with an emphasis on both legal authentication and the safeguarding of historical data.