Getting a Georgia marriage license when you live out of state

Which county issues your license

The county matters most when neither of you lives in Georgia: then the license must come from the county where you'll marry. For a ceremony in Henry County, that's the Henry County Probate Court, 99 Sims Street, McDonough, GA 30253. You can reach the court at 770-288-7600.

If one of you lives in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court in the state, not just your home county.

Planning around your trip

Apply online before you travel

Fill in the application online before you arrive, so the visit to the court is for finishing and signing it.

Book a weekday appointment

The court takes marriage license applications Monday–Friday, 8:00–11:30 AM and 1:00–4:00 PM. You must be signed in before 4:00 PM. Book an appointment online and choose the "Marriage License" appointment type. Both of you need to be there.

No waiting period

There's no waiting period, so the court can issue your license as soon as your application is complete. That means one trip can cover both the license and the wedding. If you'll get the license well before the wedding, ask the court whether it has an expiration date.

No blood test

You don't need a blood test; Georgia stopped requiring one on July 1, 2003.

What to bring

Proof of age

Each of you needs proof of age that shows your full name and date of birth. Henry County lists a driver's license, certified birth certificate, baptismal certificate, certificate of citizenship papers, armed forces discharge papers, identification card or hospital admission card. Georgia law also lists a passport and immigration papers as proof of age. If you'll rely on a passport or other documents from outside the US, confirm with the court that it will accept them before you travel.

Social Security numbers

Be ready to give each applicant's Social Security number. If one of you doesn't have one, for example because you aren't a US citizen, call the court before you book travel.

If either of you was married before

Bring a copy of the decree that ended your most recent marriage, by divorce or annulment, or the death certificate if your last marriage ended when your spouse died. Ask the court which kind of copy it needs, especially if the decree is from another state or country.

Your married name

You choose your married surname on the application itself.

Who can marry in Georgia

Both of you must be at least 18; if either of you is 17, call the court. Same-sex couples marry in Georgia on the same terms as every other couple, under the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015).

After the ceremony

Your officiant must return the signed license to the probate court within 30 days of the ceremony, so you don't need to stay in Georgia to do it yourselves. Your marriage certificate then arrives by mail, typically within 30 days. One set of certified copies is mailed to you. Extra certified copies are $10 each, and you can order them later online, by mail or in person.