Section 19-3-44. Return of license to parties

   (a) The judge of the probate court of each county shall return to the parties to a marriage the license and the return thereon after the same have been recorded as provided by law. This subsection shall be applicable to all marriage licenses and the returns thereon recorded after March 25, 1958.

(b) Upon request of either of the parties, the judge of the probate court of each county is authorized, as to marriage licenses with the returns thereon recorded prior to March 25, 1958, to return the license:

   (1) To the parties to the marriage if the marriage is not dissolved and the parties are not living in a state of separation;

   (2) To the surviving party to the marriage if one of the parties is deceased; or

   (3) To the party first requesting the license if the parties are divorced.

Ga. L. 1958, p. 331, §§ 1, 2.