Where to explore and what you need to bring

You get a Georgia marriage license from the probate court in the county where you plan to marry. You do not explore online or by mail — you must go in person to the probate court office in that county. If you are marrying in one county but live in another, you can explore in either county.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each person getting married. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. You will also need your Social Security number and your birth certificate (the original or a certified copy from the state vital records office). If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse.

Both people must be present when you explore. You cannot send someone else to get the license on your behalf. The probate court will not issue a license if only one person shows up.

Key Takeaways

  • You must explore in person at the probate court in the county where you plan to marry, and both people must be present.
  • Bring a valid photo ID, birth certificate, and Social Security number for each person, plus any divorce decrees or death certificates from previous marriages.
  • Georgia has no waiting period — you can marry the same day you receive your license, though some counties process licenses faster than others.
  • The license is valid for six months from the date issued, so plan your wedding within that window.
  • You must be at least 18 years old, or 16 or 17 with parental consent and a judge's order.

Age requirements and parental consent

You must be at least 18 years old to marry without permission. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry only with written consent from both parents or guardians and an order from a judge. The judge will interview you separately to confirm you are not being forced into the marriage.

To get a judge's order, contact the probate court in your county and ask how to request a hearing. You will need to appear before the judge with your parents or guardians. The process takes at least a few days and sometimes longer, depending on the court's schedule. Plan ahead if you are under 18.

Cost and how long it takes

Georgia probate courts charge a fee for the marriage license, but the amount varies by county. Most counties charge between $50 and $70. Call your county probate court to confirm the exact fee and whether they accept cash, check, or card.

You receive the license the same day you explore in most counties, though a few may take one or two business days. The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. If you do not marry within six months, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.

What happens after you get the license

Once you have the license, you need an officiant to perform the ceremony. An officiant can be a judge, minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or any person authorized by Georgia law to solemnize marriages. Your officiant does not have to be from your county or even from Georgia — they just need to be legally authorized.

After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the probate court in the county where you married. You do not mail it yourself. The court records the marriage and issues you a certified marriage certificate, which you can order for a small fee (usually $10 to $25 per copy). Most courts mail the certificate within one to two weeks, though you can sometimes pick it up in person sooner.

Documents you will need if you have been married before

If either person has been married before, bring proof that the previous marriage ended. This means either a divorce decree or a death certificate of the former spouse. If you are divorced, the probate court will ask for the final divorce decree from the court that granted it. If your former spouse died, bring the death certificate issued by the state where the death occurred.

If you cannot find your divorce decree, contact the court that issued it and request a certified copy. This usually costs $10 to $30 and takes one to two weeks by mail. If you lost the death certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where the death was recorded. Plan ahead if you need these documents — do not wait until the day you want to explore.

Name changes and what to bring if your name is different

Your birth certificate must match the name on your photo ID. If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — bring both your birth certificate and a certified copy of the document that changed your name (such as a divorce decree or court order). The probate court will compare them to make sure the person explore is the person named on the birth certificate.

If your name on your ID does not match your birth certificate and you do not have the document that changed your name, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born and request a certified copy of the name change order or an amended birth certificate. This can take several weeks, so start early.

What to do if you cannot find your birth certificate

If you do not have your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can usually order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person. The cost ranges from $10 to $30, and processing takes one to three weeks depending on the state and how you order. Some states offer rush processing for an extra fee.

You need a certified copy, not a photocopy or a hospital record. The probate court will not accept anything else. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a certified copy of your birth record from that country, along with a certified English translation if the document is in another language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get married the same day I get my license?

Yes. Georgia has no waiting period. Once you receive your license from the probate court, you can marry that same day if you have an officiant available. Some couples plan their ceremony for the afternoon after explore in the morning.

What if I do not know which county to explore in?

You can explore in the county where you plan to marry, or in the county where either person lives. If you are marrying in a state park or outdoor venue, explore in the county where that location is. Call the probate court in that county to confirm they are open and to ask about their hours.

Do I need a witness to sign the license?

No. Georgia does not require witnesses for the marriage ceremony or the license. Only the two people getting married and the officiant need to sign the license.

What if one person cannot go to the probate court in person?

Both people must be present when you explore. If one person is out of state or unable to travel, you cannot get the license until they can come in person. There is no exception for military deployment, illness, or distance.

How do I get a certified marriage certificate after the wedding?

Contact the probate court in the county where you married and request certified copies of your marriage certificate. You can usually order by phone, mail, or in person. Each copy costs $10 to $25. The court will mail them to you within one to two weeks, or you may be able to pick them up in person the next business day.