Bryan County Marriage License
Marriage license applications in Bryan County go through the Probate Court in Pembroke. Both people must appear at the courthouse in person. Bryan County is just west of Chatham County and the city of Savannah, which makes it a convenient option for couples in the coastal Georgia area. The license fee is $56 without premarital education, or $16 with a qualifying certificate. No blood test is required, and Georgia has no waiting period. You can get the license and hold the ceremony the same day if you want. The Pembroke courthouse handles all marriage license matters for Bryan County.
Bryan County Marriage License Details
Bryan County Probate Court
Pembroke is the county seat of Bryan County. The Probate Court here is your only option for a marriage license in the county. The office is open on weekdays. Call ahead if you want to make sure someone is available when you arrive.
| Office | Bryan County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 700, Pembroke, GA 31321 |
| Phone | (912) 653-3870 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Bryan County has grown quite a bit in recent years. Fort Stewart is partially in the county, so the court sees applications from military families regularly. If you need the physical address of the courthouse, call (912) 653-3870.
What You Need for Your Application
Both people must be at the courthouse together. Each needs a valid form of photo ID:
- Driver's license or state-issued ID
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
If either person has been married before, bring documentation that the marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate is what the court needs. They check this before processing your application.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. OCGA 19-3-2 permits 17-year-olds to marry only with legal emancipation and a premarital education certificate. The other party cannot be more than four years older. No one under 17 qualifies.
You fill out an application with your names, birth dates, addresses, and parent information. Both sign under oath that there is no legal obstacle to the marriage. Each person also signs a receipt for the HIV/AIDS informational brochure required by OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Bryan County License Fees
A standard license costs $56. Couples who complete a premarital education program pay $16. The program needs to last at least six hours, be led by a licensed professional or clergy member, and happen within 12 months of the application.
The fee reduction is authorized by OCGA 19-3-30.1. Have the certificate with you at the time of your application. Fees are non-refundable no matter what.
Ask the Bryan County Probate Court about accepted payment methods when you call.
After Your Wedding Ceremony
The person who officiates your wedding signs the marriage license afterward. Then the signed document has to be returned to the Bryan County Probate Court within 30 days. That is a state law under OCGA 19-3-30.
The court records the license and mails a marriage certificate to you. Allow about 30 days. If more than 45 days pass, call (912) 653-3870 to check on it. You will need this certificate for name changes and other legal matters.
Georgia State Marriage License Page
The official state website at georgia.gov has marriage license information for all Georgia counties.
This page gives a broad overview of the process. Contact the Bryan County Probate Court for local details.
Apply Online or Look Up Records
Fill out the application before your visit at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the form and bring it with you. You still need to appear in person.
Search for existing marriage records at the marriage record search tool. The Georgia Department of Public Health has records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records outside that period, the Bryan County Probate Court is the source.
Courthouse Weddings in Bryan County
Some couples want a simple ceremony right at the courthouse. The Bryan County Probate Court in Pembroke can perform weddings, but availability depends on the judge's schedule. Call ahead to ask about this option. Not every probate judge does ceremonies, and some charge a small fee for their time.
If the judge is available, you can get your license and have the ceremony done in one trip. Bring a witness if the court requires one. Courthouse weddings are quick and straightforward. They hold the same legal weight as any other ceremony. Bryan County couples who want something low-key find this is a good fit.
Nearby Counties
Bryan County is in coastal Georgia. These counties share a border with it. Georgia residents can get a marriage license from any county in the state.