The office of the Probate Court provides a variety of services, including but not limited to issuing marriage licenses, weapons carry licenses, maintaining vital records for Bartow County, administering misdemeanor traffic court and probate procedures such as probate of wills, administrations and guardianships of minors and adults. See below for more detailed information regarding these matters. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be of assistance.
TRAFFIC CITATIONS
Traffic Citations may be paid online with a debit or credit card at www.ezcourtpay.com, in the office with cash, money order or a cashier's check, or you may mail a money order or cashier's check to the office address at the top of this page. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Payment of traffic fines must be received in the office prior to the day of your arraignment in order to avoid a court appearance. If you wait until the day of your scheduled arraignment, then you must appear in the court to pay your citation. Should you desire to contest your citation and have your case heard before a judge or jury, you must personally appear at your arraignment. Your hearing will be scheduled for a later date where the officer and witnesses, if any, will be subpoenaed to testify.
ESTATES/GUARDIANSHIPS
Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates, temporary guardianships of minor wards, permanent guardianship and conservatorship over minor and adult wards, and applications for year's support awards. There are filing fees associated with all petitions and these fees are due upon filing. Please be aware that the Probate Court Staff cannot direct you regarding which petition to file or how to fill out any forms as that is considered giving legal advice and is strictly prohibited. We can provide you with a booklet (see link below "What to do When a loved One Dies") which may answer your questions regarding administering estates, otherwise you need to seek the advice of an attorney. Once you have filed your pleadings and paid the filing fees, you will be scheduled a time to appear before the Judge and have your petition heard as all matters are handled by appointment only. Additional information is available in the office or online at www.gaprobate.gov.
V ITAL RECORDS
Bartow County Probate Court is the custodian of vital records for Bartow County. You may obtain certified copies of birth and death certificates for a fee of $25.00 for the first copy, and $5.00 for each additional copy obtained at the same time for the same person. Georgia law dictates what familial relations may obtain a birth certificate for another person and those relations are parent, child, spouse, grandparent and sibling. PLEASE BE AWARE that proof of all relations is required and for a spouse, a notarized statement is required authorizing a spouse to obtain their birth record. Please contact our office for further information regarding vital records, paternity acknowledgements, legitimations, amendments and corrections, and delayed birth certificates. As of November 2007, local custodians for vital records now have access to birth and death certificates for the entire state of Georgia and may issue certified copies for other counties.
The recent passage of the "Constitutional Carry" bill has created increased interest and inquiries about weapons carry licenses and the impact of this new law on your rights. The Probate Court staff cannot advise, interpret or explain the details of the new law. We strongly encourage you to seek answers to your questions from a qualified source. The process for applying for a weapons carry permit was not changed by the new law.
The Probate Court issues firearms licenses, also known as "Georgia Weapons Carry License" as governed by O.C.G.A.§16-11-126 through 134. Applicants are encouraged to read the applicable law prior to making application to ensure a better understanding of your rights and responsibilities. You may obtain a copy of the applicable law in the office. Applications will be accepted on normal business days between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE HOURS MAY FLUCTUATE OUT OF NECESSITY SO CALLING AHEAD IS ADVISABLE IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME IN LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. You must be a Bartow County resident and provide a valid photo ID which reflects your physical Bartow County address. The fee for application and fingerprint processing is $78.00 ($30.00 for RENEWALS) and you may pay by cash, money order, credit/debit card or certified check payable to the Probate Court. There is a service charge to pay with a credit/debit card. The RENEWAL period is considered within 90 days PRIOR to expiration date OR no later than 30 days AFTER expiration date. Fingerprinting is not required if within the renewal period. Processing time varies based upon volume of applicants. The license is valid for five (5) years, at which time you must reapply for a new license. Be aware that prior convictions for certain offenses will disqualify you from obtaining a firearms license. Some of those offenses include convictions arising out of domestic violence, weapons violations and drug related offenses, if you've not been free from supervision for at least five (5) years.
SAVE PROCESSING TIME BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW to complete your Weapons Carry License application. You will receive a confirmation number upon completion which you will need to bring with you to the Probate Court office within two (2) weeks of completing the application, along with the application fee of $78.00 ($30.00 for RENEWALS if you already have a valid Georgia issued weapons carry license) and a current Georgia issued photo ID that reflects your Bartow County address . You will then be photographed, fingerprinted and the application process completed at that time and, if approved, you will receive your license in the mail within 2-3 weeks.
Direct inquiries regarding Weapons Carry Licenses to frantzp@bartowcountyga.gov
MARRIAGE LICENSES
The Bartow County Probate Court DOES NOT perform marriage ceremonies . You must obtain your own officiant and venue for your marriage ceremony. The cost for a marriage license is $75.00 payable by cash, money order, credit/debit card or certified check payable to the Probate Court. There is a service charge to pay with a credit/debit card. If you have had at least 6 hours of marriage counseling, you may receive a license at the reduced fee of $35.00. In order to receive the reduced fee, you must provide a certificate provided by the Probate Court and completed by the counselor. Marriage License Applications will be accepted on normal business days between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. Each applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years old and must provide a valid photo ID and a copy of your divorce decree if you have ever been divorced OR a death certificate if you are a widow or widower. If you do not have a photo ID, then you must provide at least two (2) of the following forms of identification that contain your full name and date of birth: certified birth certificate, foreign birth certificate with a certified English translation, court record, hospital admission card, selective service card, armed forces discharge papers, INS issued immigration, citizenship or alien papers, baptismal certificate or sworn affidavit by applicant attested to by two (2) people with valid photo identification.
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2019: All applicants 17 years of age must be lawfully emancipated and provide proof of the emancipation to obtain a marriage license, and anyone entering into a marriage with a 17-year-old cannot be more than five (5) years older. NO EXCEPTIONS. No person under the age of 17 years may obtain a marriage license in the state of Georgia under any circumstances. NO EXCEPTIONS.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO COMPLETE YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION. You will receive a confirmation number upon completion which you will need to bring with you to the Probate Court office within two (2) weeks of completing the application, along with the application fee of $75.00, a valid photo ID and a copy of your divorce decree if you have ever been divorced. The application process will be completed at that time, and you will receive your marriage license.
If you are currently married and would like to order a copy of your marriage certificate, click on the link below and you will receive the certificate by US Mail within a few days.