Catoosa County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Catoosa County are processed by the Probate Court in Ringgold. Both people who want to get married must visit the courthouse together and bring valid identification. Catoosa County is in the far northwest corner of Georgia, right along the Tennessee border near Chattanooga. The license fee is $56, or $16 if you bring a premarital education certificate. Georgia does not require blood tests or waiting periods. The Catoosa County Probate Court has a marriage license page on its website with local details.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Catoosa County

The Probate Court in Ringgold is the only place to get a marriage license in Catoosa County. Ringgold is the county seat and sits along Lafayette Street (US Route 41). The courthouse is a short drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee, so the court sees out-of-state couples as well.

The court requires a valid driver's license, state ID, certified birth certificate, or valid passport as proof of identity. If you have been divorced, bring your certified divorce decree. The office staff will verify everything before processing your application.

Catoosa County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear at the court in person. No exceptions to this rule. Each person needs valid photo ID. Catoosa County accepts:

• Valid driver's license or state ID
• U.S. passport
• Certified birth certificate
• Military ID card

Proof of dissolution of a prior marriage is required if applicable. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree. If your former spouse passed away, a death certificate will suffice.

Both applicants must be at least 18. OCGA 19-3-2 allows 17-year-olds to marry with emancipation proof and a premarital education certificate, but the other applicant cannot be more than four years older. Marriage under 17 is not allowed.

You fill out the application with your full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and parent names per OCGA 19-3-33. Both people sign under oath. Both also acknowledge the HIV/AIDS brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.

Fees in Catoosa County

A marriage license costs $56. With a premarital education certificate, it is $16. The program must include at least six hours of instruction within the last 12 months. A licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member must have led the program.

OCGA 19-3-30.1 provides this discount. Bring the signed certificate to the court. No certificate means full price. Fees are non-refundable. Contact the court at (706) 935-4231 about accepted payment methods.

Residency Information

Georgia residents can apply in any county. You do not need to live in Catoosa County. If neither applicant is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Because Catoosa County is close to Chattanooga, some Tennessee couples come here for their license if they plan to marry in the Ringgold area.

After Your Wedding

The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Catoosa County Probate Court within 30 days. OCGA 19-3-30 requires this. Mail it or drop it off at the courthouse on Lafayette Street.

The court records the license and sends your marriage certificate by mail. Expect about 30 days. Call (706) 935-4231 if it has been more than 45 days.

Georgia Marriage License Page

The State of Georgia has general information at georgia.gov about the marriage license process.

This state page gives a broad overview. The Catoosa County Probate Court website and staff have local details.

Online Application and Records Search

Start the application at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and bring it to Ringgold. You still need to go in person.

Search existing records at the marriage record search tool. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state records from June 1952 to August 1996. For other records, contact the Catoosa County Probate Court.

Marriage License vs Marriage Certificate

A lot of people confuse these two. The license is what you pick up from the Catoosa County Probate Court before the wedding. It allows you to get married. The certificate is what you get after. The court creates it once the signed license comes back from your officiant.

You will need the certificate for name changes, updating your insurance, and filing taxes as a married couple. The license by itself does not prove you are married. If you need extra copies of your certificate later, the probate court in Ringgold can provide certified copies for a fee.

Nearby Counties

Catoosa County is at the northwest tip of Georgia. These counties share borders with it.