Marriage Licenses in Georgia: Who Issues Them and Where to Go

Georgia does not run marriage licensing from a single statewide counter. Each of the state's 159 counties handles it locally, and the office you visit is the county probate court. Our database lists 153 offices across 143 counties, from the Atlanta area to courthouse towns such as Abbeville, Alamo and Alma.

This page explains how the system is organised, what changes between metro and rural counties, and how to prepare so you only need one trip.

Probate Courts Run the Georgia Marriage License Process

The rules come from Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which covers domestic relations. Under that law, the probate court in each county issues marriage licenses and records completed marriages. No state agency reviews your application. The legislature sets the rules, and the county court applies them.

This structure has two practical effects. First, you do not have to apply in the county where you live or plan to marry. A Georgia license can be used for a ceremony in any county, so many couples choose the office with the shortest wait or the most convenient hours. Second, each county sets its own office routine, including service hours, accepted payment methods and whether appointments are offered.

Most entries in our database are titled with the county name, such as Wilcox County Marriage License or Richmond County Marriage License. Behind each title is a probate court clerk's office, usually inside the county courthouse or a nearby government annex.

The same court handles the paperwork afterward. The officiant completes the license and returns it to the probate court, which records the marriage. That court is also where you request certified copies. You will need them to change your name with the Social Security Administration, the driver's licensing agency, your bank and your employer.

Metro Atlanta Versus Rural South Georgia: What Changes at the Counter

Atlanta has the most listings in our data, with three, and DeKalb County also has three. Fulton County has two. Metro offices serve large populations, so expect security screening, defined service windows and heavier traffic on Fridays and on popular wedding dates.

Metro services are sometimes spread across more than one location. The Fulton County Marriage License entry, for example, points to the North Service Center at 7741 Roswell Rd., Suite 225, rather than a downtown courthouse. Confirm which location issues licenses before you drive. Ask whether walk-ins are accepted or an appointment is needed.

Rural counties run differently. The Wheeler County listing on Pearl Street in Alamo reads Probate And Magistrate Office, a sign that small-county staff often cover several court functions. When the judge or clerk is in a hearing, the counter can close for a while. A quick call saves a wasted trip.

Regional centers fall between the two. The listing for Dougherty County is at 225 Pine Avenue in Albany. Richmond County lists 530 Greene Street in Augusta, and Clarke County lists 325 East Washington Street in Athens. In Americus, the Sumter County license office is in the courthouse on Lamar Street, Room 22.

Ben Hill County also has two listings, so check its county page to see which office handles licenses.

Courthouse Locations From Our Georgia Listings

Addresses change when counties build annexes or move services, so verify before you go.

What to Bring to a Georgia Probate Court Before You Apply

Requirements come from state law, so they are similar across counties. Small differences in forms, hours and payment still exist, which is why a two-minute call to the clerk is worth making. Plan on bringing the following:

On cost, Georgia fees are set by each county, so the total differs from place to place. State law allows a reduced fee for couples who complete at least six hours of premarital education with an approved provider before applying. Our Bacon County listing carries the note Marriage License Fee: $27.00+. That figure may not match current charges, so confirm the amount by phone.

Age is a separate issue. Georgia sets a minimum marrying age, and applicants under 18 face extra conditions. If either of you is 17 or younger, call the probate court before you schedule anything.

Georgia Timing Rules: No Waiting Period and No Expiration Date

Georgia does not impose a waiting period between receiving the license and holding the ceremony, and it does not require a blood test. Georgia licenses also do not carry an expiration date. That gives you room to apply months ahead and handle the paperwork well before the wedding week.

You do not need to be a Georgia resident, so out-of-state couples can apply too. Several offices in our data sit in destination areas. Union County (Blairsville) and Fannin County (Blue Ridge) serve the north Georgia mountains, and Glynn County (Brunswick) serves the coast. Cherokee County (Canton) and Gordon County (Calhoun) are options for couples north and northwest of Atlanta.

One phone tip: south Georgia numbers moved from area code 912 to 229 in 2000, and metro Atlanta has added overlay codes such as 470 and 678. If a number you find online does not connect, check the county's current website or call the main courthouse line.

A simple plan works in most counties. Pick an office, call to confirm hours, fee and ID rules, and bring your documents. Hand the signed license to your officiant, then confirm the return was recorded and order certified copies from the same probate court.

Marriage licenses in Georgia are issued by county clerks or recorders, with requirements for identification, fees, and waiting periods set by state law. Couples must obtain their license from a county within the state where the ceremony will be performed.

Marriage Licenses locations are available in 151 cities across Georgia. They are spread across 143 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Atlanta, Jackson, Baxley, which serve as county seats with the busiest marriage license offices in the state.

Couples in Georgia should verify current ID and documentation requirements directly with the issuing county clerk before applying, as requirements for previously divorced or widowed applicants may differ from those marrying for the first time.

Marriage Licenses by Counties

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Couples in Georgia should check whether their county clerk offers online appointment scheduling for marriage license applications, which can reduce wait times significantly compared to walk-in visits, especially during the busy spring and summer wedding season.

Browse Marriage Licenses by county across Georgia to find the nearest location.

Reading the Georgia Map: County Seats and Courthouse Squares

Most Georgia marriage license offices sit in county seats, and many of those are small towns built around a courthouse square. The Taylor County listing reads Courthouse Square in Butler. Early County's office is at 30 Court Square, Room 8, in Blakely, and Marion County's is at 1 Broad Street in Buena Vista. Finding the building is rarely hard. Finding parking and the right door can take longer.

Athens and Augusta operate consolidated city-county governments, which is why their entries follow the county names, Clarke County and Richmond County. Closer to metro Atlanta, our data includes Haralson County in Buchanan, Lamar County in Barnesville and Franklin County at 9592 Lavonia Road in Carnesville.

A few entries have county fields that differ from the office name. Grady County's office at 250 North Broad Street in Cairo is one example. Treat the office name and street address as your guide, and verify by phone before you travel.

In Georgia, the probate court in each county issues marriage licenses. There is no statewide marriage bureau, and no state agency approves your application. The probate judge's clerks take the application, collect the fee, issue the license and later record the completed marriage. Our database lists 153 offices across 143 counties, including Fulton County's North Service Center on Roswell Road, Dougherty County on Pine Avenue in Albany and Wilcox County on North Broad Street in Abbeville. You can usually apply in any county, so choose the office that fits your schedule best.

Most Georgia probate courts expect both applicants to appear together, show identification and sign the application at the counter. Small rural offices, such as the Wheeler County probate and magistrate office in Alamo, may have fewer staff on hand, so call to confirm hours before making the drive. If one of you cannot attend because of military service, illness or distance, ask the clerk whether any exception exists. Do not assume a friend or relative can submit the paperwork on your behalf. Each court applies state law in its own way.

The fee is set county by county, so there is no single statewide price. Georgia law allows a reduced fee when both applicants complete at least six hours of premarital education with an approved provider and bring the certificate to the court. Our Bacon County listing in Alma carries a fee note of $27.00 plus, but that figure may be out of date. Call the probate court before you go and ask for the exact total, the accepted payment methods and whether the premarital education discount applies to your application.

Georgia has no waiting period between getting the license and holding the ceremony, and it does not require a blood test. A Georgia license also does not expire. Couples can therefore collect it weeks or months ahead, then marry on the date they choose. If you are planning a same-day ceremony, still call the probate court first to check hours and ask when the last application is accepted. Courthouses in places like Calhoun, Canton and Brunswick may close the license counter earlier than you expect.

Yes. Georgia does not require residency, so visiting couples can apply at a probate court and marry in the state. Offices in our data include Union County at 114 Courthouse Street in Blairsville, Fannin County at 420 West Main Street in Blue Ridge and Glynn County at 701 H Street in Brunswick. Bring valid photo identification and any details about earlier marriages. Plan your travel so you can visit the court during business hours, and arrange your officiant before you arrive.

Start with the probate court in the county that issued your license. After the ceremony, your officiant returns the signed license to that court, which records the marriage. Allow a short processing period before you ask for copies, then call the clerk to confirm it has been recorded. Ask what ID and fee are required for certified copies, and order more than one if you will be changing your name with several agencies. If you cannot remember which county issued the license, check your paperwork or contact the officiant.