The best way to Get a Georgia Marriage Certificates

There are so many places in Georgia to get married. From hip Atlanta venues to Savannah’s historic homes to the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is something for everyone. Another plus for getting married in Georgia: marriage certificates are affordable (one is $ 56, and you can cut the fee by taking a pre-marriage class).

However, it can take some planning. You and your partner must both appear in person (often on a date set by the courts) at a specific office in order to obtain the license. For help in controlling the process, we turned to the expert Melinda Guess. She gave us a step-by-step guide on how to get a marriage license in Georgia and how to look out for pitfalls. The idea is to make this process as easy as possible so you get to the fun part: getting married!

Meet the expert

Melinda Guess is a professional wedding officer based in Atlanta.

Where to get a marriage license in Georgia

If one or both of the people who are getting married reside in Georgia, the process is a little easier. You can apply for a marriage license in any county in Georgia, regardless of where your wedding is taking place. However, if neither of you are Georgia residents (maybe you have a wedding in your travel destination?), You will need to apply for marriage permits in the county where your ceremony is taking place.

Each county has its own procedure for securing a marriage certificate. For example, in Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, you can apply to one of the three probate courts. They’re all open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and walk-ins are welcome (though you may have to wait).

In Chatham County, where Savannah is, you can apply for a marriage certificate by email or by filing a motion in a dropbox with the probate court (do so with time as they will then schedule an in-person meeting). In a more rural part of the state, Clayton County, you must apply for a marriage license online before you can schedule an in-person appointment to sign the forms.

The good news is that there is no waiting time in Georgia, which means you can get married as soon as you receive your marriage certificate. They also don’t have an expiration date, so you can get a license well in advance of your celebrations.

“In the state of Georgia, marriage certificates don’t expire, so I encourage my couples to leave as early as possible to get them off the list,” Guess said. “Some probate courts in Georgia have switched to nomination only and have month-long appointments. The metro districts with walk-ins usually have long lines and waiting times of up to two hours. It’s best to do this on a day when you have nothing planned. ”

The process could also take a bit of perseverance, Guess said. “I’m just telling couples to be patient and contact the clerk if they haven’t received their marriage certificate within 30 days.” Some counties issue them the same day so this is not a problem.

Bring your documentation

There are a few things that you will need in order to get a Georgia marriage license. Bring her to your personal appointment.

• Proof of age. You must be 18 years old to get married in Georgia and you must provide proof of age. The following documents will suffice: birth certificate, driver’s license, baptismal certificate, passport, immigration papers, hospital admission card with full name and date of birth, etc.
• Proof of divorce. If either of you ever got divorced, you must include your divorce date on the application. If a divorce has been granted 30 days or less from the time you applied for your license, you will need a copy of the divorce decree. “One of the biggest mistakes couples make when applying for a marriage license is not bringing their divorce decree with them,” Guess said.
• Money. Marriage certificates cost $ 56 in Georgia. You can pay by cash (but excluding bills over $ 20), money order, or credit card. To get the price down to $ 16, you can take a federally accredited pre-marital education program.

Marry!

Your marriage certificate is not a proof of marriage or a legal document proving that you are married. Rather, it is a license that gives you permission to get married. Your official will review your marriage certificate prior to your ceremony and complete it after the ceremony is complete. It should be returned to the probate court within 30 days.

Make it special

Many couples consider securing their marriage license to be another task to complete before they get married. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it special if you want. When it arrives in the mail or when you go home with it after an appointment, open a bottle of your favorite wine or make a special meal. Remember, this is your first step in legally becoming a married couple. We celebrated after doing less valuable tasks.