Athens Marriage License Info
Marriage licenses in Athens are issued by the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court. The City of Athens does not issue marriage licenses on its own. Athens and Clarke County operate as a unified government, so the probate court on Washington Street handles all license applications. The court has limited hours for marriage license services, so pay close attention to the schedule. Athens has a population near 130,000 and is home to the University of Georgia. The license expires after six months if not used.
Athens Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get an Athens Marriage License
Athens residents apply at the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court. The office is on the second floor of the courthouse on East Washington Street. Marriage license hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This is a shorter window than most Georgia courts, so plan to arrive early.
The Athens-Clarke County government website has details on how to apply for your marriage license in Athens.
The court is in downtown Athens, close to the University of Georgia campus. Street parking and nearby garages are available.
| Court | Athens-Clarke County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 E. Washington Street, Suite 200, Athens, GA 30601 |
| Phone | (706) 613-3320 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (marriage licenses only) |
The probate court does not perform wedding ceremonies. You will need to find your own officiant for the wedding. This is different from some other Georgia counties where the probate court offers ceremony services.
Athens Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up in person at the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court. You cannot apply by mail or online alone. Each applicant must be 18 or older. Georgia law allows a 17-year-old to apply only with proof of legal emancipation.
Bring a valid photo ID to the courthouse. Accepted forms include:
- State-issued driver's license or ID
- Original or certified birth certificate (English translation if from another country)
- Valid U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID
If either person has been married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate of the former spouse. The court needs to see proof that the earlier marriage ended. No blood tests are needed in Georgia. That requirement was dropped in 2003.
One important detail: the Athens-Clarke County marriage license expires after six months. If the ceremony does not take place within that time, the license becomes void and you will need to reapply. Most Georgia counties issue licenses that do not expire, so this is worth noting for Athens.
Marriage License Fees in Athens
The fee for a standard marriage license at the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court is $66. This is a mid-range fee for Georgia. The cost includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate, which will be mailed to you after the court records it.
Couples who complete a premarital education course pay $26 instead. The course must be at least six hours long and finished within 12 months of the application. A licensed counselor, therapist, or member of the clergy must run the program. Bring the completion certificate to the courthouse to get the lower rate. That saves you $40.
Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $10 each. The court accepts cash and cards. Check with the office about any card processing fees. All license fees are non-refundable regardless of whether the wedding takes place.
Wedding Ceremonies in Athens
The Athens-Clarke County Probate Court does not perform wedding ceremonies. This is different from some other probate courts in Georgia. You will need to arrange your own officiant. Under Georgia law, judges, ministers, and other authorized individuals can perform the ceremony.
Many Athens couples choose to have a ceremony at a local venue, church, or outdoor location. The license itself does not restrict where the ceremony takes place, as long as it happens in Georgia (or you follow the rules of the state where it occurs). Just make sure the ceremony happens within six months of the license issue date, or the license will expire.
After Your Athens Wedding
The officiant signs the marriage license right after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to 325 E. Washington Street, Suite 200, Athens, GA 30601, or bring it to the office in person.
Recording usually takes up to 30 days. Your certified marriage certificate will be mailed once recording is done. If you do not get it within 45 days, call (706) 613-3320 to follow up. Name changes require the certified certificate, a visit to the Social Security office, and a trip to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Search Athens Marriage License Records
Search for Athens marriage records using the Georgia Probate Records search tool. This statewide database includes records from Clarke County. You can also try the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court case search for local records.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that range, contact the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court by phone. Third-party vendors like VitalChek process Georgia vital records requests too, but they add service charges.
Clarke County Marriage License Records
Athens is in Clarke County, and the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court handles all marriage licenses for the area. For the full details on fees, forms, and services, visit the county page.