A Guide By Wedding Photographer Vitor Lindo
Georgia Marriage License
The Quick Answer
You get a Georgia marriage license from a county probate court, and you both have to go in person. If one of you lives in Georgia, any county will do and the license works anywhere in the state. If neither of you does, apply in the county where you will marry.
Bring photo ID, any divorce decree, and $40 to $76 depending on the county. Six hours of premarital education takes $40 off. No blood test, no witnesses, and the courts we read say the license does not expire.
One piece of paper makes it legal. Here is how to get it right the first time.
This guide covers the whole Georgia marriage license, from who issues it and what to bring to fees, premarital education, officiants and certified copies, with a page for each of the twelve counties I work in most. Every fact comes from an official court or state page, read in November 2026.
Step By Step
Getting A Georgia Marriage License
Pick Your County
Any Georgia county if one of you is a resident, otherwise the county where you marry. Find your county.
Gather Documents
Photo IDs, any divorce decree or death certificate, and a premarital certificate if you have one. See the checklist.
Apply Together
Fill out the application, book an appointment where needed, and go in person together. How to apply.
Marry And Return It
Your officiant completes the license and it goes back to the court within 30 days. After the wedding.
Fees
Marriage License Fees By County
| County | Without Certificate | With Premarital Certificate | Good To Know | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham County | $76 | $36 | Includes one certified copy | Court page |
| Glynn County | $40 | No fee | Base fee schedule effective January 1, 2025 | Court page |
| Fulton County | $68.50 | $28.50 | Includes one mailed certified copy | Court page |
| DeKalb County | $66 | $26 | Includes one certified copy, plus $2 shipping | Court page |
| Cobb County | $56 | $16 | Certified copies $10 each, none free | Court page |
| Gwinnett County | $56 | $16 | Certified copies $10 each | Court page |
| Camden County | $76 | $36 | Certified copies through EZCourtPay | Court page |
| Liberty County | $76 | $36 | Cash only | Court page |
| Effingham County | $76 | $36 | Cash, check, money order or card | Court page |
| Coweta County | $56 | $16 | Notarized premarital form, 5% card fee | Court page |
Last checked November 2026, from each court's own page.
The Rules
What Georgia Requires
Both of you must be at least 18, of sound mind, not already married and not closely related. You both appear in person and swear to the application. Georgia dropped the blood test in 2003, does not require witnesses, and lets you choose your married surname right on the application.
By County
Twelve Georgia Counties
Free Courthouse Weddings
Gwinnett and Fulton will marry you for free.
Gwinnett holds free ceremonies most Friday afternoons by reservation, and Fulton's Forever Fridays run at 3 PM in College Park for Fulton licenses. Cobb's Magistrate Court marries couples evenings and weekends.
From A Photographer
Why I Wrote This
I am Vitor Lindo, a Brazilian born wedding photographer and filmmaker with a studio on Howard Street in Savannah, and I work across Georgia. The license is the one part of the wedding couples often leave to the last minute. Get it done early, and on the day, let me photograph the signing.
More Of The Guide
Questions
Georgia Marriage License Questions
Where do you get a marriage license in Georgia?
From a county probate court. If at least one of you lives in Georgia, any county in the state can issue it. If neither of you does, apply in the county where the ceremony will happen.
How much is a Georgia marriage license?
In the counties in this guide, from a $40 base fee in Glynn County to $76 in Chatham, Camden, Liberty and Effingham. A qualifying premarital education certificate takes $40 off.
What do we need to bring?
Both of you, photo ID, a certified divorce decree or death certificate if either of you was married before, your premarital certificate if you have one, and the fee.
Do we need a blood test or witnesses?
No. Georgia dropped the blood test in 2003 and does not require witnesses.
Does a Georgia marriage license expire?
Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Glynn County each say the license does not expire.
Who can marry us?
A judge, magistrate, city recorder, minister or other person authorized by a religious society, or a current or former Georgia governor. Not a notary.
What happens after the wedding?
Your officiant completes the license and it goes back to the probate court within 30 days. Your certificate is then mailed, typically within 30 days.
Getting Married In Georgia
Tell me where you are getting married and I will tell you how I would photograph it.