Marriage Application (Online / Paper)
Hours accepting applications: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Premartial Counseling Certification
A marriage license may be issued under the following conditions and procedures:
Residency Requirements
- If one of the parties is a resident of Georgia, the license can be issued in any county.
- If neither party is a resident of Georgia, the license must be issued in the county in which the marriage ceremony is to be performed.
Legal Requirements
- The parties must be of sound mind, must have no living spouse from an undissolved prior marriage, and must not be related in a degree prohibited by law. Both parties must be at leaste 18 years of age. A 17 year old may be issued a marriage license only if all of the following are met:
- A petition is granted in juvenile court for emancipation and a certified copy of such order is presented (see §15-11-720).
- 15 days have passed since the date the order granting emancipation was granted.
- The older party to the marriage is no more than 4 years older than the younger party.
- Applicants have completed premarital education according to §19-3-30.1 (there are additional counseling requirements for those 17 years old).
- As of July 1, 2019, no one under the age of 17 shall be issued a marriage license in the State of Georgia. Parental consent to a marriage license is no longer allowed in this State.
Premarital Education Program
Under Georgia Law, a couple who presents to the court at the time of making application a certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program shall not be assessed a marriage license fee (other charges may apply). The premarital education shall include at least six hours of instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended family roles. The premarital education shall be completed within 12 months prior to the application for a marriage license and the couple shall undergo the premarital education together. The premarital education shall be performed by:
- A professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 10A of Title 43;
- A psychiatrist who is licensed as a physician pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43;
- A psychologist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 39 of Title 43; or
- An active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy or his or her designee, including retired clergy, provided that a designee is trained and skilled in premarital education.
Surname (Last Name)
The applicants must designate on the application the legal surname that will be used after the marriage. An applicant may choose his or her given surname or his or her surname as changed by order of the superior court, the surname from a previous marriage, the spouse’s surname, or a combination of the spouse’s surname and the applicant’s given or changed surname or surname from a previous marriage.
Blood Test
As of July 1, 2003, premarital blood tests are no longer required. The State of Georgia, however, recommends that each applicant applying for a marriage license obtain a blood test for sickle cell disease prior to obtaining a marriage license. Please click here to access an informational brochure on sickle cell disease.
Payment
The cost of the marriage license is $76. If the couple presents the “Certification of Completion of Qualifying Premarital Education” to the court at the time the license is issued, the cost will be $36. Certified copy and certificate will be ready for mailing within 10 business days following the date it was returned to the office.
Having the Probate Judge Officiate your Marriage Ceremony
Marriage applications may be requested Monday thru Friday, 8am-4pm, with both parties present with required paperwork. It is the responsibility of the couple to schedule an independent officiate to perform the wedding ceremony. The Judge of the Probate court will no longer be performing ceremonies at the office.
1 As of 7-1-2006, a doctor’s statement as proof of pregnancy or birth certificate of a child for any person under the age of 18 wishing to marry in Georgia will no longer accepted. An emancipated adult must have parental consent to marry (OCGA 15-11-208).