Marriage License
License Applications
Marriage license applications may be submitted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m.and 4 p.m.
License Fees
The fee for marriage licenses will vary according to the following circumstances. If the applicants have completed a qualifying premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $26. Without certification of a premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $66. These fees include the cost of a certified copy of the completed license once the ceremony has been performed for proof of marriage. Probate Court accepts cash and money orders. Credit Cards are accepted but a convenience fee is applied by the vendor.
Marriage Application
Click here to access the Marriage Application: https://www.georgiaprobaterecords.com/Marriage/MarriageApplication.aspx
Complete the online application and call the Court for an appointment to complete the application process. Marriage Licenses are issued between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
After the license is issued, there is no waiting period before the marriage ceremony can take place.The marriage license authorizes the officiant to perform the ceremony; the marriage certificate certifies that you are legally married. The Judge of the Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies.
Both applicants must be present to obtain the license. Each person must also provide proper identification.
If either applicant has been previously married and divorced, a copy of the final divorce decree must be provided for the court's inspection. Make certain that it is the final divorce decree, not the agreement. The final divorce decree must be dated and signed by a judge. If either applicant has been married previously or the marriage was dissolved by death, please provide the death certificate.Both applicants must know their parents' full names and birthplaces. Full name for mother is her maiden (birth) last name. "Birthplace" means the city or county and state where each parent was born.
Georgia law requires each applicant to designate the legal surname he or she will use after marriage.The applicant may choose his or her present surname, his or her partner's surname, or a combination of the two.
Identification for License Application
Applicants must produce a valid Photo ID such as a Driver’s License, State ID Card, an Armed Forces ID Card or a Resident Alien ID Card.
Other License Regulations
If either applicant is a Georgia resident, the license may be purchased in any county in Georgia. 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. The Georgia marriage license can only be used for marriage ceremonies that are performed in Georgia.
Qualifying Premarital Education Program
Under the law, a qualifying premarital education program shall include at least six hours of instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended family roles. The program must have been completed within the 12 months prior to the application, and the applicants must have undergone the premarital education together. To qualify, the premarital education must have been performed by a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist; a psychiatrist; a psychologist; or 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.
In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the applicants must provide the court a signed, verified and dated certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program. A Certificate of Completion of Qualifying Premarital Education can be picked up at the Probate Court or downloaded here.
Age Requirement
The minimum age of marriage is 17. Individuals who are 17 and wish to be married must:
- Be emancipated by the court.
- At least 15 days have passed since emancipation.
- The older party to the marriage may only be up-to-4-years older than the younger party to the marriage.
- Complete a premarital education course.