How do I get a marriage license?

County Probate Court (county level - each of Georgia's 159 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties visit any Georgia County Probate Court in person (license valid statewide); at least one applicant must be a Georgia resident OR, if neither is a resident, apply in the county where the ceremony will take place
Both parties present valid government-issued photo ID
Provide required information: full legal names, places of birth, parents' names, Social Security numbers; designate post-marriage legal surname for each party
If previously married: bring certified copy of most recent divorce decree or spouse's death certificate
Pay the fee and receive license immediately - no waiting period
GEORGIA MARRIAGE LICENSE HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE - can be used any time after issuance
Officiant performs ceremony and returns the completed license to the Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony for recording

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver's license, passport, military ID)
Social Security numbers for both parties
If previously married: certified copy of most recent divorce decree or spouse's death certificate
Both parties must be at least 18 years old - Georgia raised the minimum age to 18 in 2019 (no exceptions for 16-17-year-olds with parental consent); if 17 and emancipated with documentation, some counties may allow with proof of emancipation

Fee

$56-$82 without premarital education certificate (varies by county); $16-$42 with completed qualifying premarital education certificate (Georgia law provides a $40 discount); includes one certified copy of the completed marriage license mailed after recording; additional certified copies ~$10 each

Waiting Period

NONE - license issued immediately; can marry same day; license has NO expiration date LICENSE VALIDITY: NO EXPIRATION - unlike any other state, Georgia marriage licenses do not expire PREMARITAL EDUCATION DISCOUNT: $40 fee reduction if both parties complete a qualifying 6-hour premarital education program; certificate must be in hand at time of application

Online Option

No - both parties must appear in person; contact your county Probate Court in advance for hours and appointment requirements

Where to Go

Any Georgia County Probate Court; license valid statewide

County-specific variations apply

Georgia has 159 county Probate Courts - fees, hours, and appointment requirements vary. Rural Probate Courts may have limited hours (part-time clerk); call ahead. Major county offices (Fulton/Atlanta, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb) have multiple locations and regular business hours but may require appointments. Payment methods vary by county - cash, card, or check depending on location.

Georgia Notes

Important state-specific details

Georgia marriage licenses have NO EXPIRATION DATE - the most permissive license validity in the US; couples can apply months or years before their ceremony.
No waiting period - can marry the same day the license is issued.
No blood test required.
Residency requirement: at least one party must be a Georgia resident (or both non-residents must apply in the county where the ceremony takes place).
Georgia raised minimum marriage age to 18 in 2019 - no exceptions for minors.
Georgia law requires each applicant to designate their post-marriage legal surname at time of application; this is the name on the marriage certificate.
Certified copy of completed marriage certificate: mailed automatically after the officiant returns the license; take it to Social Security Administration, DMV, etc. for name changes.
Officiant must return the signed license to the Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Georgia Probate Courts - no single statewide number; contact your county Probate Court directly; Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges: gcpcj.org