Georgia Marriage License Requirements 2026
Everything you need to legally marry in Georgia: $56 to $86 license fee, None waiting period, 6 months validity, minimum age 18, None witnesses required. Apply at the Probate Court.
Georgia Marriage License: Quick Facts
How Much Is a Marriage License in Georgia?
A marriage license in Georgia costs $56 to $86. This is the standard fee charged by the Probate Court when you submit your application in person. The fee covers the license itself, recording, and one certified copy of the marriage certificate in most counties.
Payment is typically accepted in cash, card, or check, though policies vary by county. Some counties charge extra for additional certified copies, which you may need for name changes, passport applications, or insurance updates after the wedding. Call your county clerk in advance to confirm accepted payment methods and total cost with additional copies.
Compared to the national average of $60-$80, Georgia's fee is above the national average.
How to Get a Marriage License in Georgia
Gather required documents
Both partners need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you have been previously married, bring the final divorce decree or your former spouse's death certificate. Georgia does not require proof of residency.
Visit the Probate Court
Both applicants must appear in person at the Probate Court in any Georgia county. You can typically apply in the county where you plan to marry or the county where you live - check your specific county for any local rules.
Complete the application and pay the fee
Fill out the marriage license application and pay the $56 to $86 fee. Be ready to provide both Social Security numbers (or visa numbers for non-citizens), your parents' full names, and your places of birth.
License issued same day
Georgia issues marriage licenses the same day with no waiting period. You can legally marry as soon as the license is in hand, though most couples still plan a few days of buffer.
Hold the ceremony within the validity window
The license is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. The ceremony must be officiated and the license signed within this window. Authorized officiants in Georgia: Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court, justices of the peace, and retired judges. Any religious society can designate a person to perform marriages according to their customs.
Return the signed license for recording
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license along with any required witnesses. The signed license must be returned to the Probate Court (often by the officiant) within the timeframe specified by Georgia law. The county then issues your official marriage certificate.
Special Situations in Georgia
Previously married
Bring the final divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. Some Georgia counties require the decree be from within a certain number of months - check with the Probate Court.
Out-of-state couples
Georgia has no residency requirement, making it a popular state for destination weddings. Both partners just need to appear in person at the Probate Court with valid ID.
Same-sex marriages
Same-sex marriages are fully legal in Georgia following Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). The requirements are identical to opposite-sex marriages with no additional steps.
Non-citizens
Foreign nationals can marry in Georgia on a tourist visa with a valid passport. The marriage itself does not change immigration status. You may need certified translations of any foreign documents.
Important Georgia Notes
Who Can Officiate in Georgia
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court, justices of the peace, and retired judges. Any religious society can designate a person to perform marriages according to their customs.
Good to Know
Georgia offers a generous 6-month license validity period. Georgia abolished common law marriage for relationships formed after January 1, 1997, but still recognizes those established before that date.
Georgia Marriage License Document Checklist
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (passport, Georgia drivers license, state ID, military ID)
- Birth certificates if requested by the Probate Court
- Social Security numbers for both partners (visa numbers acceptable for non-citizens)
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either partner was previously married
- Marriage license fee of $56 to $86 - confirm accepted payment methods with your county
- Out-of-state couples are welcome - no residency required
- No witnesses legally required (though many couples bring them anyway)
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Marriage License Requirements in Other States
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Georgia Marriage License FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A Georgia marriage license costs $56 to $86. The fee is paid at the Probate Court when you apply. Some counties may charge slightly more for processing or a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Payment methods vary by county - call ahead to confirm whether the office accepts cash, card, or check only.
No. Georgia has no mandatory waiting period - you can apply for and use your marriage license on the same day. Many couples still apply a few days in advance to avoid last-minute complications.
A Georgia marriage license is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. The ceremony must be performed within this window or you will need to reapply and pay the fee again. Keep the dates in mind when scheduling your application visit.
Georgia accepts valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants. Acceptable forms include a US passport, state driver's license or state ID card, US military ID, permanent resident card, or foreign passport. Both partners must present ID in person at the Probate Court.
No. Georgia does not legally require witnesses for the marriage ceremony, though many couples choose to have them anyway. If you do invite witnesses, anyone over 18 capable of signing is typically acceptable.
No. Georgia does not require residency to obtain a marriage license. Out-of-state couples can apply at any Probate Court as long as both partners are present and bring the required ID. This makes Georgia a popular destination wedding state.
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