Marriage And Divorce Records Georgia

Georgia marriage and divorce requests start with different custodians

A certified marriage application has a party-only eligibility rule

The Georgia DPH marriage page states that a certified copy of the marriage application is available only to Bride/Party 1 and Groom/Party 2. Marriage records may otherwise be public, but that does not erase the application-copy eligibility restriction. Ask for a certificate or verification when that is the product you actually need.

Mailing a state marriage request requires the form, picture ID, and exact payment

The Georgia Form 3913 says a mailed request must include the completed form, a valid copy of picture ID, and an exact U.S. money order or certified check payable to the Georgia State Office of Vital Records; do not send cash. The form requests both parties’ names, marriage date and place, requester contact/signature, relationship, and shipping address.

State marriage fees and product differences are explicit

The current state marriage page lists a $10 nonrefundable search fee; if the file is found, one certified letter/certificate/application is provided as applicable, and additional copies ordered at the same time are $5 each. A verification is a search confirmation, while a certificate or application copy is a different document.

Divorce confirmation is not the decree

The Georgia.gov vital-record page says DPH can confirm divorces, but copies are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The Superior Courts page confirms Superior Court has exclusive equity jurisdiction over divorce. Use the granting county’s clerk when the receiving agency needs the decree or certified court record.

Corrections follow the record owner

Georgia DPH directs marriage application/certificate changes to the probate court in the county where the marriage occurred. A divorce-report or decree issue belongs with the Superior Court clerk in the county that granted the divorce. Keep the county and event date with every request.

Before ordering, identify the exact document

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  Marriage application

  Party-only certified application eligibility applies.

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  Marriage certificate

  Use the state-held period or issuing probate court as applicable.

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  Marriage verification

  Useful when county is unknown and the event falls within the state verification period.

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  Divorce confirmation

  State confirmation does not replace the decree.

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  Divorce decree

  Request from the granting county Superior Court clerk and specify certification if required.