Georgia Marriage License Records
Georgia marriage license records are kept by the probate court in each of the state's 159 counties. The probate judge issues every marriage license in the state, and the signed license gets recorded at that same court after the ceremony. You can search for Georgia marriage license records at the county probate court where the license was issued. Some counties let you start an application online, while others take walk-ins only. The Georgia Department of Public Health also holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996 at its state office in Atlanta.
Georgia Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Georgia Marriage License
County probate courts handle all marriage licenses in Georgia. The probate judge or court clerk issues the license at the county courthouse. Hours run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM under state law, though most courts close by 5:00 PM. Both people must show up in person to apply. There is no waiting period in Georgia, so you can get your license and have the ceremony the same day.
If at least one person is a Georgia resident, you can apply at any county probate court in the state. It does not have to be the county you live in. If neither person lives in Georgia, you must get the license in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place. The Georgia.gov marriage license page spells out these rules and lists what you need to bring to the probate court.
Many counties now use the Georgia Probate Records online application to let couples fill out their marriage license application before visiting the court. You still have to go in person, but the online form can save time. Not all 159 counties use this system. Some courts still take paper applications only.
Georgia Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law sets clear rules on who can get a marriage license. Under OCGA 19-3-2, each person must be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and have no living spouse from a prior marriage that has not been dissolved. A 17-year-old may get a license only with proof of emancipation, and the other person can be no more than four years older. No one under 17 can get a marriage license in Georgia for any reason.
You need to bring valid proof of age to the probate court. Under OCGA 19-3-36, the court accepts a range of documents to prove your age:
- Birth certificate
- Driver's license or state ID
- Valid passport
- Military ID or discharge papers
- Baptismal certificate
If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your final divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. The probate court must see this before they will issue a new license. Georgia law also requires a written application verified by oath. Under OCGA 19-3-33, the application must list the full names, dates of birth, present addresses, and parents' names of both applicants. Blood tests have not been required in Georgia since July 1, 2003.
Note: Each applicant must also sign a form confirming they received an AIDS/HIV information brochure, as required by OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Marriage License Fees in Georgia
The cost of a marriage license varies by county. Most Georgia counties charge $56 for a standard marriage license. Counties like Fulton charge $68.50, while Bibb County charges $77. The fee depends on the county probate court's own schedule.
Couples who complete a premarital education program can save a lot on the fee. Under OCGA 19-3-30.1, couples who present a certificate showing they finished at least six hours of premarital education will not be charged the license fee. The program must have been done within 12 months before the application, and both people must attend together. A licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, or member of the clergy can lead the course. In most counties, this drops the fee from $56 down to $16. The $16 covers administrative costs that the premarital education waiver does not eliminate. Some counties charge more even with the certificate. Fulton County drops from $68.50 to $28.50, and Bibb County goes from $77 to $37.
Certified copies of a marriage license cost $10 at most county probate courts. Some courts charge $11 for copies sent by mail. The state vital records office charges $10 for a search of marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996, with extra copies at $5 each.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Georgia
Both applicants go to the county probate court together. Bring your photo ID, any required divorce or death documents, and your payment. The clerk will have you fill out the application or verify the one you submitted online. You both take an oath that the information is true. The judge or clerk then issues the license. Most counties get this done in under 30 minutes.
Some counties require appointments. Cobb County and DeKalb County both need you to schedule a time before coming in. Chatham County in Savannah also takes appointments only and does not accept walk-ins. Other courts like Cherokee County and Muscogee County handle applications on a walk-in basis. Call your county probate court ahead of time to find out their process.
After the wedding, the officiant signs the marriage license and the couple must return it to the probate court within 30 days. This is the law under OCGA 19-3-30. The probate judge records the returned license in the official record book. You will then get your marriage certificate by mail, usually within 30 days after recording.
Georgia does not have a waiting period between getting the license and having the ceremony. The license is valid as soon as it is issued. In most counties the license does not expire, though Clarke County sets a six-month expiration.
Search Georgia Marriage License Records Online
The Georgia Probate Records portal is the main statewide database for marriage license records. Many counties feed their records into this system. You can search by name to find marriage license records filed at participating county probate courts across Georgia.
The portal also has a dedicated marriage license search page where you can look up specific records. You need a name and can narrow results by county or date. This is free to search, though getting certified copies still requires a visit or request to the county probate court.
The Georgia eCertification System run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority is another tool for finding recorded documents. This system covers real estate and lien records primarily, but some marriage-related filings may appear here as well.
Georgia Vital Records and Marriage Licenses
The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Atlanta holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For marriages outside that window, you need to go to the county probate court where the license was issued. The state office is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can reach them at (404) 679-4702.
A search at the state office costs $10 and is not refundable even if no record is found. If the file is found, you get one certified letter. Additional copies cost $5 each. Only the bride (Party 1) and groom (Party 2) can request a certified copy of the marriage application from the state office. The state can also verify marriages that took place on or after January 1, 2014.
Third-party vendors offer another way to order records. VitalChek handles online orders for Georgia vital records. GO Certificates is another vendor the state works with. Both charge service fees on top of the state fee. Mail requests to the state office take 8 to 10 weeks. In-person requests are processed the same day.
Note: Changes to a marriage certificate or application must go through the probate court in the county where the marriage took place, not the state vital records office.
Online Marriage License Application
Several Georgia counties let you start your marriage license application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. This system gives you a confirmation number that you bring to the probate court when you appear in person. It does not replace the in-person visit. Both applicants still must show up at the courthouse with valid ID.
Bibb County requires you to use the online application before your appointment. Chatham County and DeKalb County also require online applications before scheduling. In Muscogee County, you can fill out the application online but will not get an email confirmation. Just note your order number and come in to the probate court to finish the process. Not every county uses this system. Smaller counties across Georgia may only accept paper applications at the courthouse.
Courthouse Weddings in Georgia
Some county probate courts and magistrate courts in Georgia perform wedding ceremonies. Not all of them do. Gwinnett County holds free wedding ceremonies most Friday afternoons. They offer English ceremonies at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM, plus a Spanish ceremony at 2:00 PM. You need a reservation and a valid marriage license.
Muscogee County offers ceremonies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Government Center courthouse. Times are 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM plus 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Friday. You must already have your marriage license before the ceremony.
Cobb County's Magistrate Court conducts wedding ceremonies as well. Call (770) 528-8900 for details on their schedule. Lowndes County stopped performing wedding ceremonies as of January 1, 2025. Clarke County Probate Court also does not perform ceremonies. Check with your local county probate court to see if they offer wedding services.
Georgia Marriage License Laws
OCGA 19-3-3 bars marriages between close family members. The law lists six types of relationships where marriage is not allowed: parent and child (including step-relations), brother and sister (whole or half blood), grandparent and grandchild, and aunt/uncle with nephew/niece. A marriage that breaks this rule is void from the start. The penalty is one to three years in prison.
Georgia recognizes marriages from other states as long as they were legal where they took place. If you got married in another state, your marriage is valid in Georgia. The same goes for marriages performed in other countries, as long as they met that country's legal requirements.
Authorized officiants who can perform a marriage ceremony in Georgia include judges, ministers, and other persons authorized by law. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony. Any ordained minister or judicial officer qualifies to officiate. The signed license then gets returned to the probate court for recording.
Browse Georgia Marriage License by County
Each of Georgia's 159 counties has a probate court that issues marriage licenses. Pick a county below to find local fees, office hours, and contact info for that county's probate court.
Georgia Marriage License in Major Cities
City residents get their marriage license at the county probate court that serves their area. Pick a city below to find out which county handles marriage licenses for that city and how to apply.