A marriage license may be issued to two people under the following conditions and procedures:
- If one of the parties is a resident of Georgia, the license can be issued in any county.
- If neither party is a resident of Georgia, the license must be issued in the county in which the marriage ceremony is to be performed.
A marriage license is issued based upon a written application made by the applicants, verified by oath of the applicants.
As of July 1, 2003, premarital blood tests are no longer required. The State of Georgia, however, recommends that each applicant applying for a marriage license obtain a blood test for sickle cell disease prior to obtaining a marriage license.
The applicants must designate on the application the legal surname that will be used after the marriage. An applicant may choose his or her given surname as changed by order of the superior court, the surname from a previous marriage, the spouseās surname or a combination of the spouseās surname and the applicantās given or change surname or surname from a previous marriage.
The parties must be of sound mind, must have no living spouse from an un-dissolved prior marriage, and must not be related in a degree prohibited by law. Both parties must be at least 18 years of age. A 17 year old may be issued a marriage license only IF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE MET:
A. A PETITION IS GRANTED IN JUVENILE COURT FOR EMANCIPATION AND A CERTIFIED COPY OF SUCH ORDER IS PRESENTED. (SEE Ā§15-11-720)
B. 15 DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE DATE THE ORDER GRANTING EMANCIPATION WAS GRANTED.
C. THE OLDER PARTY TO THE MARRIAGE IS NO MORE THAN 4 YEARS OLDER THAN THE YOUNGER PARTY.
D. APPLICANTS HAVE COMPLETED PREMARITAL EDUCATION ACCORDING TO Ā§19-3-30.1 (THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE 17 YEARS OLD)
As of July 1, 2019, No one under the age of 17 shall be issued a marriage license in the State of Georgia. Parental consent to a marriage license is no longer allowed in this State.
Under Georgia Law, a couple who presents to the court at the time of making application a certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program shall not be assessed a marriage license fee(other charges may apply). The premarital education shall include at least six hours of instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended family roles. The premarital education shall be completed within 12 months prior to the application for a marriage license and the couple shall undergo the premarital education
together. The premarital education shall be performed by:
(1) A professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 10A of Title 43;
(2) A psychiatrist who is licensed as a physician pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43;
(3) A psychologist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 39 of Title 43; or
(4) An active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy or his or her designee, including retired clergy, provided that a designee is trained and skilled in premarital education.
Check the individual county probate courts for more information concerning each court.