Find Pooler Marriage License
Marriage licenses for Pooler residents are handled by the Chatham County Probate Court in Savannah. The City of Pooler does not issue marriage licenses. Pooler is part of Chatham County, and the probate court office is about 15 miles east in downtown Savannah. With a population of 31,171, Pooler is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Savannah metro area. An appointment is required at the Chatham County Probate Court. Walk-ins are not accepted, so Pooler residents must plan ahead and schedule a visit before making the trip.
Pooler Marriage License Quick Facts
Where Pooler Residents Apply for a Marriage License
Pooler residents must go to the Chatham County Probate Court in Savannah to get a marriage license. The office is on Montgomery Street in the Chatham County Courthouse. There is no probate office in Pooler itself. Both applicants must appear in person at the scheduled appointment.
The Chatham County Probate Court website shows how to apply for a marriage license.
Review this page before your visit to know exactly what to bring and expect.
| Court | Chatham County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401 |
| Phone | (912) 652-7264 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (by appointment) |
The courthouse is in downtown Savannah near several public parking garages. From Pooler, take I-16 East to get there. The drive is roughly 20 minutes depending on traffic. Since walk-ins are not accepted, be sure to book your appointment before you make the trip. Call (912) 652-7264 to set one up.
The appointment rule is strict. Even if you show up with all your documents, the court will turn you away without a scheduled time slot. This policy helps them manage the workload and keep wait times short for those who do have appointments.
Marriage License Requirements for Pooler Residents
Both people must be present at the Chatham County Probate Court. No exceptions. You must be at least 18 years old, mentally competent, and not married to anyone else. A 17-year-old can apply only with legal proof of emancipation.
Bring a valid photo ID. Accepted forms include:
- State-issued driver's license or ID
- Valid U.S. passport
- Military ID card
- Certified birth certificate
Previously married applicants need proof the old marriage is over. Bring a certified divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. The probate court will not proceed without this documentation.
Georgia does not require blood tests for a marriage license. That rule was eliminated in 2003. There is also no waiting period. The license is valid the same day it is issued.
Georgia residents can apply at any probate court in the state. Pooler residents are not limited to Chatham County. However, if neither person lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the wedding ceremony will happen. Social Security numbers are required on the application.
Marriage License Fees for Pooler
The Chatham County Probate Court charges $66 for a standard marriage license. This is higher than the $56 that many Georgia counties charge. The fee is non-refundable and due at the time of your appointment.
Couples who finish a premarital education course pay $26 instead. The program must be at least six hours long and led by a licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member. It must be done within 12 months before you apply. Bring the completion certificate to your appointment. Without it, you pay the full $66. The $40 discount is set by Georgia law and applies in every county.
Ask about accepted payment methods when you call to schedule your appointment. Some courts have shifted to cashless systems or card-only. Knowing this in advance saves you from problems the day of your visit.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from the probate court for around $10 each. You will want at least two or three extra copies for name changes and other legal updates after the wedding.
After Your Wedding Near Pooler
The officiant signs the marriage license right after the ceremony. You then have 30 days to send the signed license back to the Chatham County Probate Court. Mail it to 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401. You can also drop it off in person. The court records the marriage and mails your certificate.
Do not delay returning the license. If it sits too long, recording gets backed up and your certificate will take even longer to arrive. Some couples hand it off the very next day.
Judges, ministers, and other authorized officials can perform the ceremony. Georgia is fairly open about who can officiate a wedding. If you plan to use an online-ordained minister, double-check that their ordination meets Georgia standards. Most courts accept them, but it does not hurt to verify.
Search Pooler Marriage License Records
Search for existing marriage records using the Georgia Probate Records search tool. The database includes records from Chatham County and many other Georgia counties. Search by name and filter by county for more precise results.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has state-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records before or after those dates, contact the Chatham County Probate Court at (912) 652-7264.
Services like VitalChek offer online ordering for Georgia vital records. They add a convenience fee to the base cost. This can be helpful for Pooler residents who do not want to make the drive to Savannah just to request a copy of a marriage record.
Chatham County Marriage License Records
Pooler is in Chatham County, and the Chatham County Probate Court in Savannah processes all marriage licenses. For the full breakdown of fees, hours, and county resources, check the county page.