How to Fill out a Georgia Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Asked to officiate a Georgia wedding? Getting married in Georgia? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon-to-be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the GA marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out a marriage license in Georgia correctly the first time!

 

Wedding bells are ringing, so let’s take a look! 

 

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Completing a Georgia Marriage License: Examples & FAQs 

 

1. How to Fill Out a Georgia Marriage License (for the Officiant)

 

Getting Started: The Basics

 

It’s the couple’s responsibility to purchase a marriage license from the probate office before the wedding day. If at least one applicant is a resident of the State of Georgia, the couple can apply for their license anywhere in the state. If both applicants are from out of state, they must apply for a license in the county where the wedding will be held. 

 

• Out-of-state applicants can use this helpful resource: How to Find Out What County a Wedding Venue is In (Marriage License Tips)

 

It is the wedding officiant’s responsibility to complete and return the marriage license after the wedding. The license must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony, though we recommend you return it immediately (as soon as possible) to avoid complications. 

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Notaries cannot officiate a wedding in Georgia, however ministers ordained online with a recognized church – including those ordained for free with American Marriage Ministries – can perform weddings there. If you’re not ordained yet, click the link below to fill out a simple application: 

 

Helpful tips from GA Probate Court Clerks around the state to help you complete the marriage certificate:

 

• Print legibly in black ink - no cursive except when signing your name. Remember, this is a legal document that will remain on file forever and must be easy for the clerk to read.

 

• No witnesses are required to sign the marriage license. Do not write in a witness or have a witness sign the license – this will invalidate your official license. Use a decorative keepsake certificate for guest signatures instead.

 

• The couple must present their marriage license to the officiant before the wedding ceremony. 

 

• In the space marked “Title (Judicial / Religious), write “Minister” if you are ordained with American Marriage Ministries. Please write “Minister” even if the ceremony itself was nonreligious. You are performing your role as an ordained minister when you lead the ceremony and sign the license, regardless of the tone or style of the ceremony.  

 

• In the space marked, write your full home address. There will be two lines available – include your street address, city, state, and zip code.

 

• The license must be returned to the same office where it was issued within 30 days of the ceremony. (This return period is set by state law, § 19-3-30, and can also be found on the State of Georgia: Apply for a Marriage License page.)

 

• If the couple wants to change the date or county of the wedding before the ceremony takes place, the advice from Glynn County Probate Court Clerk is this: “You don’t need to do anything. The marriage license is still valid. Once the couple is married, the officiant [that’s you] completes the marriage license; if the date is different, we will update the computer at that time. There is no need to inform us ahead of time.” (Note: this applies to couples where at least one applicant is a Georgia resident, couples from out of state must use a license issued in the same county where the ceremony takes place.)

 

 

2. Sample Marriage License: Georgia

 

Below is an example of what your marriage license may look like, based on a recent Fulton County marriage license. Please note that we’ve recreated the official license layout here for general educational purposes only – your marriage license/certificate may not look identical to this one, but the primary items will be similar. 

 

For specific questions about the license, we recommend that you speak with a local probate court clerk or refer to the instruction sheet provided to the couple when their license was issued. 

(Above: Use this example of a Fulton County marriage license (Georgia) to familarize yourself with the license signing process. The officiant's parts are written in red to make them easy to see. Notice the spaces where you will write the date and location of the ceremony, your name and title, and your address. Remember to use black ink when completing the couple's license. This sample license is for educational purposes only.)

 

 

3. What if You Make a Mistake on a GA Marriage Certificate?

 

If you make a mistake while filling out the marriage license – such as a misspelled name or incorrect date – contact the clerk’s office directly to ask what steps should be taken to correct the error. Do not use white-out or corrective tape. Depending on the type of error, the couple may need to purchase a replacement license to fill out again. 

 

Different counties might have different steps to take to correct various types of errors, so it’s best to contact the issuance office directly with your questions. This will be the simplest way to handle any mishaps that come up.

 

How to correct or amend a Georgia marriage certificate after it’s filed

 

To amend a Georgia marriage certificate after the ceremony, start by contacting the county probate court where it was filed. Most likely, you will need to submit a “Petition to Amend Marriage Record,” provide documentation showing the correct information, and pay a fee (approximately $90).

 

Take a look at a sample “Petition to Amend Marriage Record” form provided by the Henry County Georgia Probate Court. The request form should look similar in your county, though there may be small differences.

 

Once this paperwork is submitted, it will take one to two months for the Court to process the correction. After the change is processed, you’ll be able to purchase an Amended Marriage Certificate. 

 

 

4. Can I Officiate a Wedding in Georgia?

 

Yes! AMM Ministers can officiate a wedding in Georgia. Your ordination with American Marriage Ministries qualifies you to perform marriage in the state, you do not have to register locally before the ceremony. Once you’re ordained, you’re set! 

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Please keep in mind that other online churches may not be recognized in Georgia. If you are ordained through an organization other than AMM, we recommend that you verify their standing in the state before the ceremony – or simply complete the ordination application for AMM to ensure your credentials will be accepted. Ordination with AMM is free and never expires.

 

Learn more: How to Tell if Your Officiant Can Perform a Legal Wedding

 

 

5. How Much is a Marriage License in Georgia?

 

In Georgia, marriage licenses cost approximately $65-$95, and vary from county to county. Substantial discounts are offered to couples throughout the state who complete an approved premarital counseling program – ask your probate court clerk for details! 

 

For the most-current Georgia marriage license cost, click the link below, or contact your local probate court: 

 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

 

6. Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Georgia? 

Georgia marriage licenses are issued by the County Probate Court. If you or your partner are a Georgia resident, you can apply for your marriage license anywhere in the state. If you are both out-of-state residents, you must apply for your marriage license in the same county where the ceremony will take place. 

Some probate court offices require couples to start the Georgia Marriage License Application Form online before visiting the office in person to complete the process. (For example, Oconee County Probate Court strictly requires couples to complete the online application first, before visiting the office.) Check with your local office to see if appointments are required.

After your application is issued, you can get married the same day – there is no marriage license waiting period in Georgia. 

 

 

(Above: Take a look at this screenshot of the Georgia Marriage License Online Application portal. This convenient system allows you to start your marriage application from home before heading to the probate court office. Click the link above to preview the full application or to submit your own.)

 

 

 

7. How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in Georgia? (Waiting Period)

It might surprise you to learn that there is no marriage waiting period in Georgia. Once your marriage application is approved and your license is issued, you can get married right away. 

Learn more about the marriage waiting period and same day weddings: 

 

 

• Can You Get Married on the Same Day You Get a Marriage License?
• Last Minute Wedding: Officiating a Ceremony on Short Notice, or Same Day!

 

 

 

Eloping in Georgia? You bet! Same-day weddings are allowed, and a friend or relative can get ordained online with AMM to officiate your elopement ceremony. (Above: A happy couple exchanging vows in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, photo by Inera Isovic / Unsplash)

 

 

8. How Long is a Marriage License Good For in GA?

 

Marriage licenses do not expire in Georgia, which means you can apply for your marriage license at any time before the wedding. However, your marriage license must be returned within 30 days following your ceremony

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return
• See all Georgia marriage license laws 

 

 

9. What Happens if a Marriage License is Never Turned in Georgia?

 

If a marriage ceremony never took place (wedding is cancelled), we recommend you contact the issuing office and ask whether to return or destroy the unused marriage license. Because Georgia marriage licenses do not expire, they may want you to return the unused form. While your application may remain on file indefinitely in the county, your license was never signed or filed – which means no additional steps need to be taken. 

 

If a marriage ceremony occurred, but your wedding officiant forgot to return the license, contact the issuing office immediately to ask about next steps. Depending on how much time has passed, your officiant may be able to simply submit the form late and pay a delayed filing fee. If you have the signed license (not your officiant), the Probate Court may allow you to return it on your officiant’s behalf. 

 

If your officiant loses the marriage license before it can be filed, don’t panic. While this situation can feel stressful, Georgia state law provides straightforward methods for correcting the mistake (§ 19-3-30): You’ll need two affidavits from witnesses to your ceremony confirming the date, place, and name of the official or minister performing the ceremony. Once these are submitted, the judge will issue a replacement marriage license with these details and file the record. Contact the original issuing office to get started. 

 

 

10. Where Can I Get a Copy of My Marriage License in Georgia?

 

You’ve got a few options for ordering a copy of a Georgia marriage record, depending on what you need and when it was filed:

 

The Georgia State Office of Vital Records provides certified copies of marriage records filed between June 1952 and August 1996, including Georgia marriage applications and certificates. For copies of these records, you must submit a Request for Search of Marriage Form to start the process. If you only need a verification of marriage, you can submit a Marriage Verification Request Form for records that were filed on or after January 2014. 

 

If you need a certified copy of a more recent marriage record, contact the Probate Court in the county where the license was filed.

 

To replace an unused, lost marriage license before the ceremony, contact the office that issued and ask about next steps to purchase a replacement.

 

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