Cobb County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Cobb County are handled by the Probate Court at 32 Waddell Street SE in Marietta. The court requires appointments for all marriage license visits, so you will need to schedule yours in advance. Cobb County is the fourth most populous county in Georgia and sits just northwest of Atlanta in the metro area. Both applicants must show up together with valid photo ID. The Probate Court processes a large number of licenses each year, and the staff can walk you through the steps once you arrive for your appointment.

Cobb County Probate Court Details

The Cobb County Probate Court is on Waddell Street in downtown Marietta. You must have an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted for marriage license applications. To set up a time, call the court or use the online scheduling system on their site. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Cobb County Probate Court marriage license page has the most current info on scheduling and forms. You can reach the license division at (770) 528-1931 or by email at cobbprobatelicense@cobbcounty.gov.

Here is the Cobb County Probate Court marriage license page showing current application details.

The page lists all the steps to follow before your visit, including how to fill out the application ahead of time.

Marriage License Requirements in Cobb County

Both people must be there. You cannot send a friend or family member in your place. Each person needs a valid form of ID such as a driver's license, state ID, birth certificate, or passport. You should fill out the application before you come in. The only thing left to sign is the form itself at the office.

If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. The court is strict about this. If you got divorced in the past 90 days, make sure you have the decree on hand. Georgia law also requires proof of age. Both applicants need to be at least 18, or 17 with proof of emancipation and a premarital education certificate.

There is no blood test needed. Georgia dropped that rule back in 2003. There is also no waiting period in Cobb County. Once the court approves your application, you walk out with the license that same day.

Any Georgia resident can apply in Cobb County, even if you live in a different county. If neither person is a Georgia resident, you can only get a license in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Cobb County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee is $56. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education program pay just $16. That is a $40 savings. The program must include at least six hours of instruction, and both people must take part. You need the certificate of completion in hand at the time you apply. If you show up without it, you pay the full $56.

The court takes cash, credit, and debit cards. A $2.50 service fee applies to all card payments. Exact change is preferred for cash. Money orders are also accepted. All fees at the Cobb County Probate Court are non-refundable, so be sure you have all your documents ready before you pay.

After the wedding, the signed license must go back to the Probate Court within 30 days. Your officiant signs it, and you or the officiant mail it in. The court then records it and sends a marriage certificate. The marriage license in Cobb County does not expire, so there is no rush between getting the license and having the ceremony.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies

The Cobb County Probate Court does not perform wedding ceremonies. However, the Magistrate Court does. Call (770) 528-8900 to ask about ceremony times and availability. You must already have your marriage license before the ceremony.

Starting March 9, 2026, the Magistrate Court plans to hold group ceremonies on Monday through Thursday at 6:00 PM. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, ceremonies are at noon and 6:00 PM. This is a good option for couples who want a quick, affordable ceremony without a lot of planning. Keep in mind that the marriage license and the ceremony are two separate steps handled by two different courts in Cobb County.

Apply Online for a Cobb Marriage License

You can start your marriage license application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill out the form at home, then print the completed application. Bring it with you to the Cobb County Probate Court for your appointment. This can save time during your visit.

Even with the online application, you still must appear in person. Both parties have to show ID and sign the paperwork. The online form just gets the data entry out of the way so the office visit is shorter.

To look up existing Cobb County marriage records, use the marriage license search tool on the same site. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that range, contact the Cobb County Probate Court directly.

Georgia Marriage License Law

Georgia marriage law falls under OCGA 19-3-30, which covers how licenses are issued, returned, and recorded. Probate court judges handle the issuance. The license must be returned within 30 days after the ceremony date. This applies in Cobb County and every other county in the state.

Under OCGA 19-3-30.1, couples who finish a premarital education course get a reduced fee. The course must last at least six hours. It must be led by a licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or clergy member. Both people take the course together within 12 months of applying.

Georgia requires each applicant to pick the legal surname they will use after the marriage. This goes on the application under oath. If you plan to change your last name, the marriage certificate becomes proof of that name change for the Social Security Administration and other agencies.

Cities in Cobb County

Cobb County includes Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, and other cities in the northwest Atlanta metro. All residents get their marriage license through the Cobb County Probate Court in Marietta.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cobb County. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county, but the records will be filed where you applied.