Marriage license
Your license comes first
A ceremony cannot be recorded without a valid marriage license. Here is what to know before your appointment.
When a Georgia marriage takes effect
A Georgia marriage takes effect when the ceremony is performed and the license is executed by the officiant. Filing the executed license with the probate court records the marriage after it has occurred; it does not create it.
Where to apply
Georgia marriage licenses are issued by county probate courts, and couples may apply in any Georgia county. Georgia residents may then be married anywhere in Georgia.
Couples travelling from outside Georgia
Couples who reside outside Georgia must be married in the same county that issued their license. If you are travelling to Georgia for an in-person ceremony at Legacy Center, obtain your license from Fulton County. The Fulton County South Annex probate office is approximately five minutes from Legacy Center. This county requirement applies to in-person ceremonies only.
Virtual ceremonies
For a virtual ceremony, the issuing county does not restrict where you may marry. The officiant is present with you virtually. All that is required is a valid Georgia marriage license. Read more about virtual ceremonies.
Click here to find an Atlanta metro county probate court.
- Fulton County (opens in a new tab)
The Fulton County South Annex probate office is approximately five minutes from Legacy Center.
- Clayton County (opens in a new tab)
- Cobb County (opens in a new tab)
- Coweta County (opens in a new tab)
- DeKalb County (opens in a new tab)
- Douglas County (opens in a new tab)
- Fayette County (opens in a new tab)
- Gwinnett County (opens in a new tab)
- Henry County (opens in a new tab)
For any other Georgia county, use the statewide directory: Georgia probate courts (opens in a new tab).
What couples are typically asked to take to the probate court
- Valid government-issued photo identification for both parties
- Documentation of any previous marriage ending, if applicable
- The application fee required by that county
We require only the original license the court issues.
Timing
Bring the original license to your ceremony. Waiting periods, validity windows and return deadlines are set by the issuing county — confirm current requirements with that court.
After the ceremony
Following the ceremony, the completed license is returned to the issuing probate court for recording. Certified copies are requested from that court. Typical processing time to record and receive your final license varies by county. Ask the court clerk how long their office takes.