How one can Get a Marriage License in Georgia

Lined in costal seashores, mountain vistas, sprawling fields, and bustling cities, Georgia offers so many breathtaking backdrops that may enhance any couple’s wedding ceremony ceremony celebration. From trendy rooftop venues in Atlanta to historic properties in Savannah, this southeastern state is full of locales that cater to every explicit individual’s preferences, making it an fascinating wedding ceremony ceremony trip spot for all. Plus, with balmy local weather year-round—significantly with affordable temperatures throughout the winter—The Peach State is the right place to throw an outside function, whatever the season. To not level out, Georgia has a rich cultural scene that options art work, music, meals, and wine—parts that may definitely contribute to the ambiance of your huge day. 

For individuals who’re inquisitive about tying the knot in Georgia, as in any state, you’ll should do some little bit of planning ahead of time. One among many devices in your pointers? Getting a marriage license. To make sure that the federal authorities to legally acknowledge your union, you want this licensed doc (significantly for taxes and insurance coverage protection). Since you and your confederate will every wish to appear particularly individual at a specific bureau to accumulate your license, must you don’t for the time being reside there, you’ll should schedule a go to to get this wanted wedding ceremony ceremony component squared away.

For help navigating this course of with ease, we turned to Melinda Guess, a Georgia wedding ceremony ceremony officiant who has a great deal of experience guiding her {{couples}} as they obtain their licenses. Questioning discover ways to get married in Georgia? Beneath, be taught up on all of the belongings you’ll should know to get your Georgia marriage license.

The place to Get a Marriage License in Georgia

If each you or your accomplice (or every of you) are residents of Georgia, it’s possible you’ll apply for a marriage license in any county throughout the state, regardless of the place your wedding ceremony ceremony is occurring. Nonetheless, if neither of you is a resident and in addition you are touring to Georgia in your nuptials, that you must apply in your marriage license throughout the county the place your ceremony will occur.

The making use of course of usually takes place contained within the county’s probate courtroom. For instance, in Fulton County, the place Atlanta is positioned, it’s possible you’ll apply at thought-about one in every of three probate courts, which can be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and welcome walk-ins (although, there may be a wait time of as a lot as two hours, Guess notes). In some counties, equal to Chatham County (the place Savannah is) or Clayton County (a further rural part of the state), you may should file a request on-line sooner than you secure an in-person appointment to sign the kinds. Take a look at the county you make use of in for his or her explicit requirements.

When to Apply for a Marriage License in Georgia

Since there is not a expiration date for Georgia marriage licenses, it’s possible you’ll buy your license as far prematurely as you need. “Throughout the state of Georgia, marriage licenses don’t expire, so I encourage my {{couples}} to go as early as attainable to confirm it off the itemizing,” Guess says. With none prepared interval, it’s possible you’ll tie the knot immediately after you receive your sort. In most counties, you’ll receive your license the equivalent day you apply, nonetheless to be on the protected facet, it’s best to plan ahead of time.

Documentation Wished To Pay money for a Marriage License in Georgia

There are a variety of devices you’ll have to ship to your in-person appointment to have the ability to get a marriage license in Georgia.

• Proof of Age: As a result of try to be on the very least 18 years outdated to get married in Georgia, you’ll should present your age. To take motion, current one in every of many following paperwork: your starting certificates, driver’s license, baptismal certificates, passport, immigration papers, hospital admission card with the entire title and date of starting, and so forth.
• Proof of Divorce or Dying: If thought-about one in every of you has been divorced beforehand, you’ll have to know the date your divorce was finalized. In case your divorce occurred close to the day you make use of in your license—inside 30 days or a lot much less—you’re required to present a duplicate of the divorce decree. If each social gathering is widowed, be sure that to ship a duplicate of the dying certificates or obituary.
• Money: In Georgia, marriage licenses worth roughly $68. You may also should pay further fees, counting on the place you make use of. Chances are you’ll pay in cash (nonetheless no funds greater than $20), money order, or financial institution card. To cut back the worth to $16, you’ll want to provide a certificates, saying you achieved a state-approved premarital coaching program.

How one can Get Married in Georgia

After you receive your Georgia marriage license, keep in mind to ship it with you to the ceremony. Sooner than you commerce vows, your officiant will examine the doc. Then, after you say “I do,” the individual presiding over your service will full the kinds and sign it. Observe that for Georgia weddings, witnesses aren’t vital, so that you simply acquired’t need further people to sign on the dotted line. Inside 30 days after your big day, your officiant will return your marriage license to the probate courtroom. As quickly because the courtroom processes the license—which can take as a lot as 30 days—they’ll ship you the marriage certificates, which proves that you just’re legally married.

You possibly can too order licensed copies of your marriage license, which you’ll should legally change your title. To take motion, submit an internet primarily based or written request to the courtroom sooner than paying a value—an amount that relies upon upon the county.