Search Cherokee County Marriage License

Cherokee County marriage licenses are handled by the Probate Court in Canton. The court takes walk-in applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Both applicants must appear together and complete the process before 4:10 PM. The fee is $56 for a standard license or $16 with a premarital education certificate. Cherokee County is one of the faster-growing counties in metro Atlanta, and its Probate Court stays busy. Plan to arrive with plenty of time, especially on Mondays and Fridays when the office tends to see more people.

Cherokee County Probate Court

The Cherokee County Probate Court is at 90 North Street in Canton. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Walk-ins are the way to go here. There is no online scheduling tool for marriage license appointments.

You need to arrive early enough for the staff to finish your application before 4:10 PM. If you show up at 4:00 PM, there may not be enough time. The court opens at 8:30 AM. The best time to visit is mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Probate Court is in Suite 340. Take the elevator or stairs to the third floor. Signs in the lobby will point you in the right direction. Street parking and a nearby deck are available for visitors.

Cherokee County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be present at the court. No exceptions. You cannot have one person come alone and fill out the paperwork for the other. Each person must bring a valid photo ID.

Accepted IDs include a Georgia driver's license, state ID card, valid U.S. passport, or military ID. Birth certificates also work as proof of age if your ID does not show your date of birth.

If either applicant was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate from the prior marriage. The court needs to confirm that all previous marriages ended before it can issue a new license.

Georgia does not have a waiting period. Once the court processes your application and you pay the fee, you get the license the same day. There is also no expiration date on a Georgia marriage license, so you can hold it as long as you need before the ceremony.

Applicants must be at least 18. A 17-year-old may apply only with proof of emancipation, and their partner cannot be more than four years older. The couple must also have completed premarital education in that case. Nobody under 17 can get a license.

Marriage License Fees in Cherokee County

The cost is $56 without premarital education. With a valid certificate, you pay just $16. The premarital course must be at least six hours and taken within 12 months of your application. Both of you must attend together. The program can be taught by a licensed counselor, psychologist, therapist, or clergy member.

Bring the certificate when you apply. You will not get the reduced fee later. The court charges the full amount if you do not have the certificate in hand at the time of your visit.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $10 each. You can order copies from the Cherokee County Probate Court by visiting in person or by mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mailed request.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Cherokee County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it or drop it off in person. The court records the license and mails your marriage certificate. This usually takes up to 30 days.

If you have not received your certificate after 45 days, call (678) 493-6160 to check on it. Sometimes there are delays if the license was not filled out correctly or if the officiant forgot to sign a required field.

Georgia Marriage License Law

Georgia marriage licenses are governed by Title 19, Chapter 3 of the Official Code of Georgia. The state has no blood test requirement. That was dropped back in 2003. There is no waiting period and no residency requirement for Georgia residents applying in any county.

The application must be in writing and verified by oath. Each applicant states there is no legal reason they cannot marry. You provide full names, birth dates, addresses, and parents' names. The application also asks if you have completed premarital education.

Georgia requires each applicant to pick a legal last name at the time of application. This is the name that will go on the marriage certificate. If you want to hyphenate, tell the clerk when you apply.

Cherokee County Marriage Records Online

Start your application at home through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it out and bring it to the Cherokee County Probate Court. This can speed things up at the counter.

To look up existing records, the marriage record search tool lets you search by name. The Georgia Department of Public Health has records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that range, the Cherokee County Probate Court is your source.

Cities in Cherokee County

Cherokee County includes Canton and Woodstock, along with several smaller towns. All residents apply for a marriage license at the Probate Court in Canton.

Nearby Counties

Cherokee County borders several other north Georgia counties. You can apply for a marriage license in any Georgia county if you are a state resident.