Fannin County Probate Court
Suite 204
400 West Main Street
Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Phone 706-632-3011
Fax: 706-632-7167

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Closed on Holidays

Chief Judge: R. Scott Kiker
Chief Clerk: Jennifer Falls

After hours funeral home dispositions please contact Dewayne Cobb at dwayne@akinscobb.com

New Policy Notice -March 2023

The primary functions of Probate Court are as follows:

  • All estate matters, including Temporary and Permanent Administration
  • Common and Solemn Form Probate
  • No Administration Necessary Petitions
  • Year’s Support Petitions
  • Safekeeping of Wills
  • Incapacitated Adult Guardianships
  • Temporary Guardianship of Minors
  • Issuance of Marriage License
  • Issuance of Firearms License
  • Vital Records Custodian-Birth and Death Certificates
  • Bench trials and sentencing in Game & Fish, Traffic and Misdemeanor Drug Cases and accepting pleas in said cases
  • Petitions to Remove Obstructions from Private Ways
  • Land Processioning
  • Commitment of mentally ill, alcoholics and drug abusers for evaluations
  • Administering Oaths to public officials, law enforcement, jury commissioner and all others required by law
  • Issuing fireworks display permits
  • Granting permission to purchase and use explosives
  • Registration of animal brands

It is a court of record; therefore, all documents filed in Probate Court must be recorded in minute books and kept permanently available to the public – except information that is prohibited by law for public inspection. The Probate Court is committed to providing you with excellent customer service. We will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the services of this office or the procedures you must follow for a particular process. Please be advised, however, that state law prohibits our staff from rendering legal advice, restating the law or recommending specific ways to pursue legal action. If you have a problem involving the interpretation of the law, we suggest you contact an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Georgia.

Estates / Guardianship

Information regarding estate and guardianship proceedings can be found on in the Georgia Probate website. Georgia Probate Court Standard Form are available for download where you can print the form and file it in the Probate Court. Forms are also available in the office.  All filings must be accompanied by a filing fee which is payable by cash, check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Please contact the Probate Court for all filing fee information.

Traffic

Court is held on a monthly basis for misdemeanor traffic violations and game and fish violations, Some violations have a mandatory court appearance while others may be paid prior to the scheduled arraignment date. To pay a citation, you may use the following options:

  • Pay in person with cash, money order, or Visa or MasterCard
  • Pay by mail with money order or cashiers check
  • Pay online by Visa or MasterCard at Ezcourtpay.com
  • Call 1-800-262-0128 to pay with Visa or MasterCard

For registration and information regarding the Teen Victim Impact Program, Please use the following link: North Georgia TVIP. http://www.tvip.org/north-georgia-tvip/

Vital Records

The Probate Court is the vital records for Fannin County certified copies of birth and death certificates, can be obtained in the office in person or requested through the mail. Certified copies of vital records may be obtained in any county in the state of Georgia no matter the county of birth or death. Fees for vital records are uniform across the state of Georgia:

Debit or Credit is NOT accepted for Vital Records. Cash or Check only!
  • $ 25.00 for the first copy
  • $ 5.00 for each additional copy of the same person requested at the same time

To request by mail, Birth Record Request Form and  Death Record Request Form, please mail the request along with the proper payment, a copy of your identification, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Probate Court address above. For more information on how to obtain copies of birth and death certificates from other states, please visit the following link
Georgia State office of Vital Records.

Marriage Licenses

The Probate Court of Fannin County issues marriage licenses and  maintains those records. We also issue certified and plain copies of marriage licenses and applications for all marriages that were applied for in Fannin County. Click here for an ONLINE MARRIAGE APPLICATION. Applicants may submit an online application. Within two weeks, applicants must come the Probate Court to complete the application process.  Please follow directions as indicated on the online application and indicated below. Obtaining a marriage license – issued Monday – Friday from 8 : 30 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. :

  • All applicants must fill out the application online before coming in the office.
  • Applicants must both appear in person to complete the application for a marriage license.
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. (Certain circumstances permit underage applicants to obtain a marriage license. Call the Fannin County Probate Court for additional information.)
  • A picture identification card is required for both applicants.
  • A divorce decree or death certificate from the former spouse is required from any applicant that has had a prior marriage.
  • At least one applicant has to be a resident of Georgia in order to apply for a marriage license in a county other than the county where the ceremony is to take place. If both applicants are non residents of Georgia, then the application must be made in the county where the marriage ceremony will take place.

Fees for a marriage licenses

  • $36.00 for couples with a certificate of pre- marriage counseling.
  • $76.00 for couples without a certificate of pre- marriage counseling.
  • Fees are payable by cash, check, or money order or Visa or MasterCard.
  • Certified copies are an additional $ 10.00 per copy.
  • Marriage Record Request Form

After the ceremony, the license is to be returned to the issuing probate court, which will then record the license in the marriage docket. Certified copies of the license may then be issued by the court. *Note: Pre-marital counseling must include at least six hours of instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to: (a) conflict management, (b) communication skills, (c) financial responsibilities, (d) child and parenting responsibilities; and (e) extended family roles. The program must have been completed within twelve months prior to the application, and the couple must have undergone the premarital education together. To qualify, the premarital education must have been performed by: (a) a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist; (b) a psychiatrist; (c) a psychologist; or (d) an active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy, or the designee of such active member of the clergy, provided the designee is skilled and trained in premarital education. Premarital Counseling Form

Weapons Carry License

The Probate Court of Fannin County issues Georgia Weapons Carry Licenses to all qualified persons who are residents of Fannin County, Georgia. Georgia Weapons Carry licenses may be obtained Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m.

ALL Renewal applications must be filled out before coming into the office:

Click here for ONLINE WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE APPLICATION.

Applicants may submit an online application.  Within two weeks, applicants must come to the Probate Court to complete the application process.  Please follow directions as indicated on the online application and indicated below. Requirements for NEW Weapons Carry License Applications:

  • All applicants must fill out the application online before coming in the office.
  • Must be 21 years of age (if under 21, must provide proof of completion of basic training and proof of active service or an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States)
  • Must be a resident of Fannin County , GA
  • Must submit a picture identification including the physical address (if  P.O Box – Must bring a proof of physical address)
  • Prints MUST be done within 48 hours of completing the application process. If prints are not done in the allotted time, a new application will have to be completed.
  • Fees $ 84.00 Cash, Check, or Charge to Fannin County Probate Court.
  • The license , when approved, is valid for five years.
  • For additional information relating to the application for a Weapons Carry license, please contact the Fannin County Probate Court.
  • Requirements for Renewal:

  • Must currently hold a Fannin County issued license
  • May renew 90 days prior to expiration of current license or within 30 days after expiration
  • Must be a resident of Fannin County, GA
  • Must submit a picture identification including the physical address (if  P.O Box – Must bring a proof of physical address)
  • Fees $ 30.00 Cash, Check, or Charge to Fannin County Probate Court
  • The license , when approved, is valid for five years.
  • For additional information relating to the application for a Weapons Carry license, please contact the Fannin County Probate Court.