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Marriage Licenses

Effective July 1, 2005, the fee for Marriage Licenses in the State of Georgia will vary according to the following circumstances. If the couples has completed a qualifying premarital education program, the standard marriage license fee is $22.00. Without certification of a premarital education program, the typical marriage license fee is $57.00. These fees include the cost of a certified copy of the completed license once the ceremony has been performed for proof of marriage. In some instances, other minor charges may apply. Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders.

Qualifying Premarital Education Program

Under the law, a "qualifying premarital education program" shall include a 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 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: (1) a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist; (2) a psychiatrist; (3) a psychologist; or (4) 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 couple must provide the Court a signed and dated certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program. A Certificate of Completion of Qualifying Premarital Education can be downloaded on this site or picked up at the Probate Court

If either the bride or the groom is a Georgia resident, the license may be purchased in any county in Georgia. If neither the bride nor the groom is a resident of Georgia, the marriage license must be obtained in the county in which the marriage ceremony will be performed.

Effective July 1, 2003 blood tests are no longer required for marriage license.

Both the bride and the groom must be present to obtain the license.

Each person must also provide proper identification.

If either the bride or groom 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 the bride or groom has been married previously and the marriage was dissolved by death, please provide death certificate.

You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a marriage license, except in certain special circumstances.

Marriage license applications may be submitted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This office DOES NOT generally perform wedding ceremonies. They can be scheduled through Magistrate Court (613-3310) or Juvenile Court (613-3300).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON GEORGIA LAWS RELATED TO MARRIAGE

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  1. Proper Identification: Acceptable forms of identification include a Birth Certificate, Driver's License, a State I.D. card, a Passport, an Armed Forces I.D. card, or a Resident Alien I.D. card. (Only one form of I.D. is needed.)
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  2. Age Requirement: A minor person 16 or 17 years of age may receive a marriage license if both of the minor's parents residing in the household, or the parent with custody, if the parents are legally separated or divorced, give written consent to the minor's marriage in person at the time of the application.
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  3. Underage Marriages: Effective July 1, 2006, minors under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to marry under any circumstances, even if the bride is pregnant, or the applicants are the parents of a child born out of wedlock.


  4. Name After Marriage: Georgia law requires each applicant to designate the legal surname he or she will use after marriage. The applicant may choose (1) his or her present surname, (2) his or her spouse's surname or (3) a combination of the two.


  5. Additional Information Needed: Both bride and groom 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.


  6. Filling Out the Application: The "Application for Marriage License" and the "Application Supplement -- Marriage Report" may be typed or neatly printed in black ink. These forms must be neat and legible or they will not be accepted. Both forms must be turned in to the Probate Court.


  7. Processing the Application: The marriage license is issued at the time of the application unless a problem arises. Probate Court processing typically takes 10 - 30 minutes, depending on the number of people waiting for assistance. After the license is issued, there is no waiting period before the wedding ceremony can take place. The marriage license is valid for up to six (6) months after the date of issuance. The marriage license authorizes the officiant to perform the ceremony; the marriage certificate certifies that you are legally married. We will need a permanent address to which the marriage certificate will be mailed after your marriage information is recorded.


  8. Hours: The application packet which contains the application for the marriage license as well as information on the application process, may be downloaded on this site or picked up at the Probate Court at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays) and can be returned for processing between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We are sorry that we are not able to issue licenses after 4:00 p.m. Parental consent forms and the affidavits relating to underage pregnancy are also available at the Probate Court.

    9. Last update September 2006



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