How to Get a Marriage License in Georgia (2026)
What You Need to Know Before Applying
Georgia keeps its marriage license process straightforward compared to many other states. There is no waiting period, no blood test requirement, and the license never expires once issued. That last point matters: you can pick up your license months before the ceremony without worrying about a deadline.
You will apply through your county’s probate court, not the superior court or any other government office. Both partners must appear in person together. The whole appointment usually takes under an hour, and you walk out with your license the same day.
Before heading to the courthouse, confirm you meet Georgia’s basic eligibility requirements and have the right documents in hand. A missing government-issued ID or forgotten piece of paperwork can turn a quick errand into a wasted trip.
Eligibility Requirements for a Georgia Marriage License
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2) sets clear rules about who can apply for a marriage license. Both partners must meet every requirement on this list:
- Minimum age: You must be at least 18 years old. Minors who are 17 may apply under limited circumstances, but the requirements involve judicial approval and parental consent.
- Mental capacity: Both parties must be of sound mind at the time of application.
- Marital status: Neither partner can have a living spouse from a previous, valid marriage. If you were previously married, your divorce must be finalized or your former spouse must be deceased.
- Family relationship: Georgia does allow first cousins to marry. Anyone more closely related by blood or adoption cannot.
There are no residency requirements for the license itself. Out-of-state couples can get married in Georgia, though the county where you apply depends on whether either partner is a Georgia resident (more on that below).
Required Documents and What to Bring
Come prepared and you will be in and out quickly. Here is what both partners need to bring to the probate court:
Proof of identity and age (at least one):
- Valid driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified birth certificate
- Military identification card
Social Security numbers for both partners. You may not need the physical card, but you do need to know the number and provide it on the application.
If previously married:
- Certified copy of your divorce decree, especially if the divorce was finalized within the last 30 days
- Death certificate if you are widowed
Even when not strictly required, bringing divorce or death records is a smart move. Some county clerks ask for them regardless of timing, and having the paperwork prevents a second trip.
You do not need witnesses to apply for the license in Georgia. However, you will need an authorized wedding officiant to perform the ceremony and sign the license before you return it to the court.
Fees and How to Save $40 with Premarital Education
The Georgia Probate Court charges an application fee that averages around $56 for a marriage license, though the exact amount varies slightly by county. Some counties charge a few dollars more, others a few less.
Georgia offers a fee reduction of up to $40 for couples who complete a state-approved premarital education course. The course typically runs about six hours and covers communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial planning for married life.
To claim the discount, bring a signed certificate of completion from an approved provider to your license appointment. The savings apply automatically once you present the certificate. At roughly $16 after the discount, Georgia becomes one of the most affordable states in the country for a marriage license.
Payment methods vary by county. Most probate courts accept cash and money orders. Many now accept credit and debit cards, sometimes with a small processing surcharge. Call your county probate court ahead of time to confirm accepted payment methods.
Starting Your Application Online
Most Georgia counties now let you begin the marriage license application process online before your in-person visit. This saves time at the courthouse because the clerk already has your information entered into the system.
You will need the following details for both partners when filling out the online application form:
- Full legal names (first, middle, last)
- Current street addresses and phone numbers
- Dates and places of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Race and gender
- Current occupations
- Parents’ full names, birthplaces, and addresses (including mother’s maiden name)
- Surname each partner will use after marriage
- Any family relationship between the partners
- Planned date and location of the wedding ceremony
The online form does not replace the in-person visit. Think of it as a head start. You still need to show up together, present your identification documents, pay the application fee, and sign the paperwork. But the appointment itself moves much faster when the clerk is not typing everything from scratch.
The In-Person Appointment at the Probate Court
Not every county handles appointments the same way. Some probate courts accept walk-ins, while others require you to schedule an appointment days or weeks in advance. During busy wedding seasons in spring and summer, appointment slots can fill up fast.
If at least one partner is a Georgia resident, you can apply at any county probate court in the state, regardless of where the ceremony will take place.
If neither partner lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where the wedding ceremony will be held.
The appointment itself is straightforward. A court clerk will verify your documents, confirm the information on your application, collect the fee, and have both of you sign. You receive the marriage license that same day.
One of Georgia’s most couple-friendly rules: the license never expires. Unlike states that give you 30, 60, or 90 days to use your license, Georgia puts no time limit on it. You could get your license several months before your wedding and it would still be valid. This is especially helpful for couples planning a courthouse wedding on a tight timeline, since you can separate the paperwork from the ceremony day itself.
If you are getting married at a city hall or courthouse venue, having the license already in hand lets you focus on the ceremony instead of rushing through last-minute paperwork. For couples planning to marry in the city, our Atlanta city hall wedding guide covers the ceremony booking process and what to expect at Fulton County.
After the Ceremony: Filing Your Marriage License
Getting the license is only half the process. After your wedding ceremony, several steps remain before your marriage is official on record:
- Your officiant signs the license. The person who performs the ceremony (whether a judge, minister, or other authorized officiant) must sign the marriage license along with both spouses.
- Return the signed license to the county probate court. This must happen within 30 days of the ceremony date.
- The court records and files the license. Once the probate court processes the signed document, the marriage is officially on the books in the state of Georgia.
- You receive your certified marriage certificate by mail. This typically arrives within 30 days of filing.
The marriage certificate is the official record of your marriage, distinct from the license itself. The license gives you permission to marry. The certificate proves the marriage took place. You will need certified copies of the marriage certificate for name changes, updating insurance policies, Social Security records, and other legal matters.
If either partner plans to change their last name after marriage, the certified marriage certificate is the primary document you will need to start that process.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Georgia Marriage License
Couples run into trouble with Georgia marriage licenses more often than you might expect. Here are the pitfalls worth knowing about:
Waiting too long to schedule an appointment. Since the license never expires in Georgia, there is no reason to wait. Popular counties like Fulton, DeKalb, and Chatham can have long wait times, especially during peak wedding season from April through October. Apply early and cross it off your list.
Showing up without both partners present. Both people must appear at the probate court together. No exceptions. You cannot send someone on your behalf, and one partner cannot complete the process alone.
Not confirming the county’s scheduling process. Some counties are walk-in only, some require appointments, and some offer both options. A quick phone call to the probate court saves you from showing up at the wrong time.
Forgetting prior marriage documentation. If your divorce was recent, bring the certified decree. If it was years ago, bring it anyway. Having the paperwork prevents unnecessary delays.
Returning the signed license late. You have 30 days after the ceremony to return the signed license to the probate court. Missing that window can mean delays in recording your marriage or, in some cases, needing to reapply.
Georgia makes the marriage license process as painless as possible, but preparation goes a long way. Get your documents together, book your appointment early, and you will spend more time focused on the parts of your wedding day that matter most. If you are still working through the planning details, a wedding budget checklist can help you keep the rest of the process organized too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a marriage license cost in Georgia?
A Georgia marriage license costs approximately $56, though the exact fee varies by county. Couples who complete a state-approved premarital education course (about six hours) can save up to $40, bringing the total cost to roughly $16.
Do you need a blood test to get married in Georgia?
No. Georgia does not require a blood test or any medical screening to obtain a marriage license. You only need valid identification, your Social Security numbers, and any applicable prior marriage documentation.
How long is a Georgia marriage license valid?
A Georgia marriage license never expires. Once the probate court issues your license, it remains valid indefinitely. There is no 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day expiration window like some other states impose.
Can out-of-state couples get a marriage license in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. If neither partner is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. If at least one partner lives in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court in the state.
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Georgia?
The in-person appointment at the probate court typically takes less than one hour. You receive the marriage license the same day. If you complete the online application beforehand, the appointment moves even faster since the clerk already has your information on file.