Location: Webster Co. Courthouse, Room #101
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PH: (229)828-3615 Fax: (229)828-3616
Email: Contact by EMAIL
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jimmy Bankston
Probate/Magistrate Judge
Magistrate Court
P.O. Box 18, Preston, Ga. 31824
Probate Court
P.O. Box 135, Preston, Ga. 31824
Physical Address:
6330 Hamilton St. Room #101
Preston, Ga 31824
Welcome to the Webster County Magistrate and Probate Court webpage!
MAGISTRATE COURT
The Webster County Magistrate Court exists to serve the citizens of Webster County. We are pleased to provide the information on this website as a service to our citizens to be used as a general guide when dealing with legal matters before this Court.
The Magistrate Court handles a variety of matters, including civil claims of $15,000.00 or less, dispossessory proceedings (landlord/tenant), the issuance of arrest and/or search warrants, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, county ordinance violations, personal property foreclosures, deposit account fraud (bad checks), and garnishments. The Magistrate Court does not hold jury trials and is not a court of record. Any appeals from judgments in civil cases are made to the Superior Court.
It is our goal to provide helpful, friendly services to the people of Webster County, while ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and respect. On behalf of the judges and court staff, we trust you will find the website a useful and convenient tool in obtaining information.
PROBATE COURT
The office of the Probate Court provides a variety of functions including but not limited to issuing marriage licenses and weapons carry licenses, maintaining vital records for Webster 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
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, debit or credit card, 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.
PROBATE
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. 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. Forms for these procedures and additional information are available in the office or online at http://www.gaprobate.gov
VITAL RECORDS
Webster County Probate Court is the custodian of vital records for Webster 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. Those relations are parent, child, spouse, grandparent and sibling. 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.
GEORGIA FIREARMS LICENSES
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 4:00 pm. You must be a Webster County resident and provide a valid photo ID which reflects your physical Webster County address. The fee for application is $30.00 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. 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 $30.00 and a current Georgia issued photo ID that reflects your Webster County address. Click here for Weapons Carry License Application
MARRIAGE LICENSES
The cost for a marriage license is $76.00 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 4:00 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. 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.
SAVE WAIT TIME BY CLICKING 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 and a valid photo ID. The application process will be completed at that time and you will receive your marriage license. Click here for Marriage License Application
Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Please be aware that a service charge will apply
