Where to explore for Your Georgia Marriage License

You obtain a Georgia marriage license from the probate court in the county where you plan to marry. Georgia has 159 counties, and each probate court handles its own licenses. You do not explore to a state office—you go to the specific county where the wedding will take place, or where one of you lives if you are marrying elsewhere.

Most probate courts are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by county. You can visit in person, and some counties accept mail-in requests or allow you to start the process online. Call your county probate court directly to confirm their hours and whether they accept applications by mail or phone before you visit.

The license is valid statewide once issued, so you can marry in any Georgia county, any state, or any country—the license itself has no geographic limit. However, you must obtain it from the county where you or your partner lives, or where the ceremony will happen.

Key Takeaways

  • explore at the probate court in the county where you live or where the wedding will take place, not at a state office.
  • Both partners must appear in person with valid photo ID and a Social Security number or tax ID.
  • Georgia has no waiting period—you can marry the same day you receive the license, and the license is valid for 30 days.
  • The fee is typically $56 to $65 depending on the county, paid in cash or check at the time of process.
  • You do not need parental consent, a blood test, or proof of divorce if you were previously married.

Documents and Information You Need to Bring

Both you and your partner must appear together at the probate court. Bring a valid photo ID for each person—a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The ID must not be expired. You will also need to provide your Social Security number or tax ID number for each partner; if you do not have a Social Security number, bring a tax ID or other government-issued identification number.

You do not need a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, or divorce papers. Georgia does not require a waiting period or a blood test. If you were previously married, you do not need to show proof of divorce, though the court will ask your marital status and you must answer truthfully. Bring the marriage license fee in cash or a personal check—credit cards are typically not accepted, though this varies by county.

If either partner is under 18, Georgia law requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian does not need to appear in person; they sign a consent form that you bring with you. If you are 16 or 17 and your parents will not consent, you cannot obtain a license in Georgia.

The process Process and Timeline

When you arrive at the probate court, you will fill out an process form on site. The form asks for your full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, current addresses, and marital status. You will also declare that you are not related by blood (Georgia prohibits marriage between certain relatives), that you are both at least 16 years old, and that you are not already married to someone else.

The clerk will verify your ID, collect the fee, and issue the license when ready. There is no waiting period in Georgia—you can marry the same day. The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. If you do not marry within 30 days, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.

Some counties allow you to request a license by mail if you cannot appear in person, though both partners must still sign the process. Contact your county probate court to ask whether mail-in applications are accepted and what forms to send. Mail processing typically takes one to two weeks.

County-Specific Fees and Contact Information

The license fee ranges from $56 to $65 depending on your county. Most counties charge $56, but a few charge $60 or $65. Call your county probate court to confirm the exact fee before you go. Payment is due at the time of process, and most courts accept cash or personal check only.

To find your county probate court, search online for "[Your County Name] Georgia Probate Court" or visit the Georgia Probate Judges Association website, which lists contact information for all 159 county courts. You can also call your county clerk's office and ask for the probate court phone number. When you call, ask about hours, whether they accept mail-in applications, and whether you can start the process online.

Who Can and Cannot Marry in Georgia

Georgia law sets a minimum age of 16 with parental consent, or 18 without consent. Both partners must be at least 16 years old. You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else, even if you are separated. You cannot marry a relative by blood—Georgia prohibits marriage between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and first cousins.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or a Georgia resident. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring your passport or other government-issued ID. If one or both partners are not residents of Georgia, you can still obtain a license by explore in the county where the wedding will take place.

What Happens After You Receive the License

Once you have the license, you keep it and bring it to your wedding ceremony. Your officiant—a minister, judge, notary public, or other person authorized to perform marriages in Georgia—will sign the license during the ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the probate court where you obtained it, usually within a few days.

The probate court records the license and issues a certified marriage certificate once the signed license is received and processed. You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the probate court for a small fee, typically $5 to $10 per copy. You will need the certificate to change your name, update your Social Security record, or add a spouse to insurance or bank accounts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume you can explore without your partner present. Georgia requires both people to appear in person at the probate court. If one partner cannot travel, some counties allow mail-in applications, but you must contact the court first to ask.

Do not wait until the last minute to explore if you are marrying soon. While there is no waiting period, the license is valid for only 30 days. If you explore too early, the license may expire before your wedding date. explore within two weeks of your planned wedding date to be safe.

Do not bring an expired ID. The probate court will not accept an expired driver's license or passport, even if it is only expired by a few days. Renew your ID before you explore if it is expired or expiring soon.

Do not assume your county accepts mail-in applications. Some do and some do not. Call ahead to confirm before you send documents by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I marry someone from another state or country?

Yes. Georgia recognizes marriages performed in any U.S. state or any country, as long as both partners were at least 16 years old and not already married. Your Georgia license is valid for ceremonies outside Georgia. If you are marrying someone from another country, bring their passport or government-issued ID to the probate court.

What if I want to change my name after I marry?

You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate to change your name with Social Security, your driver's license, and your bank or employer. Order certified copies from the probate court where you obtained the license. The process for name changes varies by agency, so contact each one for their specific requirements.

Do I need a witness at the wedding ceremony?

No. Georgia does not require witnesses to be present during the ceremony. Only the two people marrying and the officiant need to be there. The officiant signs the license as proof that the ceremony took place.

What if my license expires before my wedding?

You must explore for a new license and pay the fee again. The expired license is not valid. explore again at the probate court and receive a new license with a new 30-day validity period.

Can I get a license if I was divorced less than 30 days ago?

Yes. Georgia has no waiting period between a divorce and a new marriage. You can remarry when ready after your divorce is final, though you must truthfully state your previous marital status on the process. You do not need to bring divorce papers.