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Probate Court
You MUST make an appointment for Marriage and Weapons Carry License. Please call our office at (478) 272-2566.
Mission
The mission of the Laurens County Probate Court is to administer justice with fairness, equality, and integrity, to resolve matters before the court in a timely manner, and to provide courteous and prompt service in a manner that inspires trust and confidence.
Court Jurisdiction & Responsibility
- Wills, Estates
- Guardianships of minors and adults
- Mental Health Evaluation Orders
- Marriage License (copy of Marriage Certificates)
- Weapon Carry License
- Misdemeanor Traffic Violations
- Elections
Pay Traffic Fees Online
- Wills, Estates & Guardianships
- Mental Health Evaluation Order
- Marriage License/ Certificates
- Weapons Carry License
- Misdemeanor Traffic
- Elections
Wills, Estates
Estate proceedings are handled in the Probate Court. For information or to make an appointment please either call the office or visit www.gaprobate.gov
Frequently asked questions.
What are the first legal steps I should take after someone dies?
The first step is to determine whether the individual who has died (the “decedent”) left a will. If there is a will, then the executor (who is named in the will) or some other person may offer the will for probate in the Probate Court. Even if the will is not going to be probated, anyone who is in possession of the will of a decedent must bring the will to the Probate Court for filing. If there is no will, then the usual procedure is to have an administrator appointed to take care of the decedent's estate. Whether or not there is a will, if a spouse or minor child (under age 18) survives the decedent, they may want to consider whether to file for year's support. For more information, view When a Loved One Dies.
Do I need to have a lawyer?
People are not required to have a lawyer to represent them, but in many cases, it is advisable to have a lawyer. The clerks of the Probate Court may not serve as your legal advisors, and you should not expect them to perform legal or clerical services for you. They work for and at the direction of the probate judge. It is their responsibility to process the volume of paperwork filed in the office and to attend to the administrative aspects of the operation of this office. They are here to serve you, and they will want to do so to the best of their abilities. They are not allowed to complete any paperwork for you, nor can they make a legal determination or advise you on which proceeding is most appropriate or advisable. If you find that the filing pro se (without an attorney) is more difficult than you expected, you should seek the assistance of an attorney. A lawyer may not cost as much as you think. Please note that we cannot recommend a lawyer.
For Probate Forms please visit;
www.gaprobate.gov/content/standard-forms?menu=main
Please ensure that all forms are filled out completely then call the probate court to schedule an appointment with the Judge.
Guardianship
Guardianship proceedings are handled in the Probate Court.
For information in regards to guardianships please visit;
www.gaprobate.gov/content/guardianships or contact the probate court.
For Probate Forms please visit;
www.gaprobate.gov/content/standard-forms?menu=main
Please ensure that all forms are filled out completely then call the probate court to schedule an appointment with the Judge.
Please be advised that the probate court cannot commit anyone or force anyone into treatment. The probate court is able to issue an Order to Apprehend for an individual that is in need of a mental health evaluation.
Please note that if a person is currently in jail or in the hospital, the probate court, will not intervene because the law enforcement office/ or a licensed doctor can also request a mental health evaluation.
Process and requirements
- Two adults over the age of 18 that have witnessed the behavior of an individual within the last 48 hours must physically come together to the probate court to petition the Court for the evaluation.
- The witnesses must attest to the fact that the said individual is a mentally ill person, an alcoholic or is drug dependent, presents a substantial risk of imminent harm to him or others, and that this individual needs involuntary treatment.
- The said individual must physically be in Laurens County and you MUST know their address.
- The Sheriff’s deputy will pick the individual up within 7 days (before expiration) of the witnesses bring the application to the Laurens Co. Sheriff’s Office. And, deliver the individual to Community Mental Health in Dublin GA for a mental health evaluation.
- After the person is delivered for evaluation, the staff at the facility determines whether or not the person requires treatment.
You MUST make an appointment for Marriage and Weapons Carry License. Please call our office at (478) 272-2566.
Marriage Licenses are issued Monday- Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm.
If the couple has completed a qualifying premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $36. Without certification of a premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $76. Probate Court accepts cash, credit or debit (Visa or MasterCard; fees apply), and money orders.
Please be advised that we no longer perform marriage ceremonies. Therefore, the license is only valid for 30 days after application and is only valid to be used for marriage ceremonies that are performed in the state of Georgia.
Effective July 1, 2003, blood tests are no longer required for a marriage license.
Requirements:
- Applicants must apply together in person.
- Each applicant must provide one (1) of the following forms of photo ID in order to obtain a marriage license:
- Georgia issued Driver's license
- Georgia issued Identification Card
- Armed Forces Identification Card
- U.S. Passport
- Driver's License issued by another state within the U.S.
- At least one applicant must be a Georgia resident.
- If neither applicant is a resident of Georgia, the marriage license must be obtained in the county in which the marriage ceremony will be performed.
- Applicant must be 18 years of age or older. Please contact the court for further information in regards to age restrictions.
- If either of the applicants has been previously married and divorced, a copy of the final divorce decree must be provided upon application.
Both applicants must know their social security number, parents' full names/ maiden name and parents’ birthplaces.
Marriage Certificate
To obtain a copy of your Marriage Certificate
- Call the Probate Court to confirm we have the Marriage License.
- NOTE: If the license was not issued by the Laurens Co. Probate Court we will not have the license. Records must be requested with the county where the license was issued.
- The court does NOT conduct research. Our public records are open for research during normal business hours
Cost of a certified Marriage Certificate is $10. You may either come in person to request a copy or use the Marriage Certificate request form and mail a $10 money order made payable to Laurens Co. Probate Court.
You MUST make an appointment for Marriage and Weapons Carry License. Please call our office at (478) 272-2566.
Weapons Carry License
Weapons Carry Licenses (WCL) are issued Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid State of Georgia Driver's License or State of Georgia Photo ID that reflects a Laurens County residency.
The application/renewal cost is $35. Current State of Georgia WCL holders can renew up to 90 days before expiration or 30 days after expiration. The Probate Court accepts cash, credit or debit (Visa or MasterCard; fees apply), and money orders.
***Please be advised that we will not accept copies of the WCL Applications printed online from various sources. Applications will be completed and printed in the Probate Court.*****
New applicants (or State of Georgia WCL holders that are 30 days past expiration, OR weapons carry license holders of another state) must be fingerprinted at the Laurens Co. Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) within 5 days of applying for the background check. The fingerprinting is an additional $43.25 payable to the LCSO via money order.
The LCSO fingerprints Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 pm to 6 pm by appointment only and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm with no appointment necessary. To make an appointment for fingerprinting, please call the LCSO at 478-272-1522.
Information regarding the rules and regulations please visit
www.gacarry.org
www.gapacking.org
If you have lost your WCL or need a replacement, please call our office during normal business hours.
Misdemeanor Traffic Violations
Traffic Arraignment is the third Monday of every month at 9 a.m. Sign in begins at 8:45 a.m.
****Please be advised that due to the high volume of calls and customers in the office on traffic arraignment days, we may not be able to answer your phone calls on the court date. Please call at least two to three weeks before your court date to inquire about your citation.
Interstate & County Areas
The Laurens County Probate Court only handles tickets for the interstate and county areas. If the ticket was issued in the city limits of Dublin please call 478-277-5023. If the ticket was issued in the city limits of East Dublin please call 478-272-6883.
Bond Amount
Please allow 3 to 4 weeks from the date of the violation to inquire of the amount of your bond. No quotes, estimates or fine amounts will be given until the ticket is in the system in the Probate Court office.
Court Appearance
Please be advised that you are not required to come to court for any speeding ticket if it is paid in full before the court date on your citation (ticket will be processed and reported as is).
All forms of payment must be received before court date shown on your citation.
Driver's License
Your driver’s license will be suspended by the issuing agency in your state (or a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest if a Must Appear charge) if you fail to pay this citation by the court date (or if you fail to report on the court date to answer to the charges). An additional late fee of $50 plus the original cost will be added after the court date. You citation will also be sent to collections which charges an additional 40% recovery fee.
Disputing Your Ticket
To dispute the ticket or receive any help with the ticket you will need to come to the court date printed on your citation to answer to the charges. Your Court date will not be extended or continued regardless of any circumstances.
If you desire to plead not guilty to your citation and have a hearing, please call the office for instructions on how to do so.
Requirements
Please include copy of the citation or provide the correct:
- Address
- Citation number if known
- Date of birth
- Date of citation issued
- License number
- Name
For a copy of your receipt you must send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with payment.
Online Payment
You can also pay online at EZ Court Pay or 1-800-262-0128. (Fees apply). Please note we cannot take any payment over the phone in the office.
Useful Traffic Citation Links
For Elections information please contact the Probate Court or the Laurens County Board of Registrar’s office at 478-272-2841.
Useful Elections Links
- For election results and other information please visit the Secretary of State’s website.
- For filing information please visit the state ethics website.