How to Find Georgia Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records Georgia Georgia Marriage Records

Finding Georgia Marriage Records

• Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
• 1952-1996 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
• 1996 to the present - records are held exclusively by the probate court in the county where the marriage occurred

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1952 1952 to 1996 1996 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1952

• Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
  

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1950	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		683,052

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1808-1967	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,069,456
Ancestry, Marriages, 1699-1944	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	216,770
Ancestry, Marriages, To 1850	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	167,492
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	83,321

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FHLC by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1952 to 1996

• 1952-1996 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Currently, there are only limited online indexes to Georgia marriage records for the period 1952 to 1996.

PART ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1808-1967	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,069,456

PART TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court or Georgia Department of Public Health.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the probate court.

OR

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County of Marriage		From GA Dept. of Public Health
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1996 to Present

• 1996 to the present - records are held exclusively by the probate court in the county where the marriage occurred

Currently, there are no online indexes to Georgia marriage records for the period 1996 to the present.

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the probate court.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

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