Hall County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Hall County are issued by the Probate Court on Spring Street in Gainesville. The court handles all marriage license applications on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed. Both people must show up in person with valid photo ID. Hall County uses the standard Georgia fee of $56 for a marriage license, or $16 if you have a premarital education certificate. The Probate Court is on the first floor of the Hall County courthouse, and staff can process your application the same day you visit.

Hall County Probate Court Office

The Hall County Probate Court is the only place in the county where you can get a marriage license. It sits on the first floor of the courthouse in downtown Gainesville. Walk-in applications are accepted from 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM, Monday through Friday. You do not need to call ahead or set up a time online.

Make sure both of you arrive before 4:10 PM. The staff will not start a new application after that cut-off. If you get there close to closing, the process may need to wait until the next business day.

The courthouse is easy to find in the center of Gainesville. Parking is available on nearby streets and in a public lot close to the building. The Probate Court shares the courthouse with other county offices, so look for signs directing you to the first floor once inside.

Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must come to the Hall County Probate Court together. One person cannot apply alone. You each need a government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, or passport will work.

Georgia has no blood test requirement. That rule ended on July 1, 2003. You also do not have to be a Hall County resident. Any Georgia resident can apply for a marriage license in any county in the state. If neither of you lives in Georgia, you must apply in the county where your ceremony will take place.

Here is what you need to bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Proof of age (birth certificate if ID does not show date of birth)
• Certified final divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate if either person was married before
• Premarital education certificate (if you want the reduced fee)
• Payment for the license fee

You must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Georgia. A 17-year-old can apply only if they have proof of emancipation, and the other person cannot be more than four years older. No one under 17 can get a marriage license in the state for any reason.

If you have documents in a language other than English, you need a certified translation. The court will not accept foreign-language documents without a translation on file.

Hall County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee is $56. This is the same as most Georgia counties. Couples who have a premarital education certificate pay only $16. The program must be at least six hours long and finished within 12 months of your application date.

The premarital education must be done by a licensed counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or active clergy member. Both of you must take the course together. Bring the certificate of completion with you when you visit the Probate Court. You cannot get the discount after the fact.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $10 each. You can get them at the Hall County Probate Court in person or by mail. For marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health also has copies on file. Records outside that window are only at the county level.

After Your Wedding in Hall County

Once the ceremony is done, your officiant signs the marriage license. The signed license must go back to the Hall County Probate Court within 30 days. The court will record it and mail your marriage certificate. Expect the certificate to arrive within about 30 days after recording.

If more than 45 days pass and you still have not received your certificate, call the Probate Court at (770) 531-6921. They can check the status and let you know if there is a hold-up.

Georgia law says you must pick a legal last name at the time of application. If you plan to change or hyphenate your name, let the clerk know when you apply. You will need both the marriage certificate and the original application for name change purposes later on.

Marriage License Officiants in Georgia

Georgia allows several types of people to perform wedding ceremonies. Any judge, minister, or other person authorized by the court can officiate. Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders are all accepted. Justices of the peace and certain judges can also perform the ceremony.

If you want a friend or family member to officiate, they may need to get ordained through a recognized organization. Georgia is fairly open about who can perform ceremonies, but the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Probate Court. Make sure your officiant understands this step.

Hall County Marriage License Online

You can start the application process through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill out the form online, print it, and bring it with you to the Hall County Probate Court. This saves time at the counter, but it does not replace the in-person visit. Both of you still need to appear in person.

To search for past marriage records, use the marriage license search tool on the same portal. This can help if you need to find a record from a previous marriage or verify information for legal reasons.

The Georgia.gov marriage license page has a general overview of the process and links to county-specific resources. It is a good starting point if you are new to the Georgia marriage license system.

Cities in Hall County

Gainesville is the county seat and largest city in Hall County. All Hall County residents get their marriage license at the Probate Court in Gainesville regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Hall County. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county, so you have options if Hall County is not convenient for you.