County probate courts grant marriage licenses to couples. You'll receive your license the same day you apply for it. While in some counties you may marry at 16 years of age, you must be at least 18 years old to get married without parental consent.
- When you arrive at the court, you'll need your driver's license, passport or birth certificate. If your identifying documents are printed in a language other than English, you'll need to hire a notary to type a certified translation.
- If you've been married before, you'll need to present to the court your divorce decree.
- Marriage license fees vary by county, and some counties require payment in cash only. Check the fees at your county probate court.
- If you don't want to pay the marriage license fee, you can earn a premarital education program certificate - a six-hour class that reviews basic marriage lessons such as budgeting and conflict resolution.
Invite a trusted relative or friend who's fluent in English to come to the court with you.
If you attend religious services, speak to the leaders of your church, mosque, synagogue or temple. Many of these communities offer premarital education at a reasonable cost. If you're interested in a non-religious program, search online for a counseling center that can help.
This information was prepared as a public service of the State of Georgia to provide general information, not to advise on any specific legal problem. It is not, and cannot be construed to be, legal advice.