Thursday, September 23, 2010

Going to the Chapel... Not without the marriage license!

3 Common Misconceptions About Marriage Licenses in Georgia

**Back by popular demand - here are some answers to questions we get all the time about getting your marriage license in Georgia. Enjoy!**

Common Misconceptions #1: “Blood Tests are required in Georgia.” The real answer is no. As of July 1, 2003 blood tests are no longer required in the state of Georgia.

Common Misconceptions # 2: “You have to register in the county you are getting married in.” If either the bride or groom is a Georgia resident you can get your marriage license in any probate court in Georgia. If neither the bride nor groom is a Georgia resident you do have to get your marriage license in the county you will be married in.

Common Misconceptions # 3: “You can just show up at a probate court and get your license.” Come Prepared. Here’s a quick checklist for things to bring with you: both the bride and groom’s birth certificate, driver’s licenses, passports, and social security cards. Original forms of all of these things are required.

Fees for marriage licenses range from $50 to $100. Make sure you call the probate court you are planning to go to well in advance to determine the specific requirements for that county. In Georgia if a couple completes a premarital education program the marriage license fee will be waved. Check out the Georgia probate court website for more information on requirements for premarital education and other information.

Probate Courts in Georgia:
Clayton County:
21 South McDonough St.
Jonesboro, GA
770-477-3301

Cherokee County:
90 North St. Suite 340
Canton, GA
678-493-6160


Clarke County:
325 E. Washington St.
Athens, GA
706-613-3320

Cobb County:
32 Waddel St., Bldg D, Probate Court
Marietta, GA
770-528-1921

Coweta County:
22 East Broad St.
Newnan, GA
770-254-2640

Dekalb County:
556 North McDonough St., Rm G1B
Decatur, GA
404-371-2601

Douglas County:
8700 Hospital Dr.
Douglasville, GA
770-920-7249

Fayette County:
One Center Ave.
Fayetteville, GA
770-716-4225

Forsyth County:
112 West Maple St., Suite 101
Cumming, GA
770-781-2140

Fulton County:
136 Pryor St., Suite C230
Atlanta, GA
404-730-4692

Gwinnett County:
75 Langley Dr.
Lawrenceville, GA
770-822-8250

Hall County:
225 Green St.
Gainesville, GA
770-531-6921

Henry County:
99 Sims St.
McDonough, GA
770-228-7600

Newton County:
1132 Usher St., Room 107
Covington, GA
770-784-2045

Rockdale County:
922 Court St., Room 107
Conyers, GA
770-929-4057

Oconee County:
23 N. Main St
Watkinsville, GA
706-7699-3936
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2 comments:

ChristyF said...

I didn't know you could register in any court if a resident. And, it was a large discount because we had premarital counseling! Just have the pastor or counselor write a letter stating the completion and number of hours. There is an hour minimum.
However, the big shocker for us was that we had to go back to the court house to pay for a marriage certificate, which is what you must have to legally prove you're married. This may have just been ignorance on our part, but no one told us about this!

ChecklistQueen said...

Christy,
Great addition to the thread.
Yes, you can get a discount on your marriage license if you have proof (from your clergy/rabbi) that you've had premarital counseling.

Most probate courts will give you an order form to fill out and mail back in after the wedding to get your marriage certificate. The certificate cost about $5. I always recommend you get at least 5 copies because your banks is going to want one, you'll need to mail one off for your new social security number, etc.

Thanks for commenting!

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