Marriage license · Georgia
How to Get a Marriage License in Georgia
Everything Georgia couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $56 (waived with premarital course) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None |
| License valid for | Unlimited (no expiration) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any Probate Court |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Georgia, you apply at any probate court.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Georgia offices charge $56 (waived with premarital course) per license.
- Wait the required none. There's no waiting period — you can use the license the same day.
- Use the license within Unlimited (no expiration). After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Georgia?
The two dates that matter are the issue date and the expiration. A Georgia license is good for Unlimited (no expiration). Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any probate court. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Georgia. |
| Earliest you can apply | Any time — Georgia licenses don't expire. |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — no wait required, but leaves time to fix a name or document error. |
| Wedding week | Possible in Georgia, but any document problem becomes an emergency. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Georgia
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Georgia couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $56 (waived with premarital course) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Georgia
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Georgia driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Georgia couples make
- Applying too early. Georgia licenses don't expire, so this one's rare here — but double-check your county's own filing rules.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Georgia before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Georgia
Georgia is one of the few states where the license never expires.
Wedding costs in Georgia
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Georgia metros:
- Average wedding cost in Atlanta — $38,000 average, $160 per guest
Common questions specific to Georgia
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Georgia?
- In Georgia the marriage license fee is $56 (waived with premarital course). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Georgia?
- No — Georgia has no waiting period. The license can be used the same day it's issued.
- How long is a Georgia marriage license valid?
- A Georgia marriage license is valid for Unlimited (no expiration) from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Georgia?
- Yes — many Georgia counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Georgia?
- Yes — Georgia requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Georgia?
- No — Georgia does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Georgia?
- Yes. Georgia issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any probate court and allow for the same-day issuance.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Georgia it costs $56 (waived with premarital course) and is valid for Unlimited (no expiration). The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Georgia?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Georgia DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states