Marriage Licenses and Certificates

Georgia residents who wish to get married in Georgia may obtain a marriage license in any Georgia County. Non-residents must obtain a marriage license in the County in which the marriage ceremony will occur.

The Probate Court has two offices on the first floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center located at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. Marriage license applications are accepted at the Vital Records office located just past the elevators on the judicial side of the building. The office accepts marriage license applications Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What identification is required when applying for a Georgia marriage license?

At the time the marriage license application is filed, the parties must appear together in the Probate Court and provide the Court with the following:

1. Proof of age by presenting one of the following: a birth certificate, driver’s license, baptismal certificate, certificate of birth registration, selective service card, court record, passport, immigration papers, alien papers, citizenship papers, armed forces discharge papers, armed forces identification, or hospital admission card;
   
2. Affirmative evidence of the most recent divorce by presenting a final, stamped, sealed divorce decree;
   
3. No one under the age of 17 shall be issued a Marriage License in the State of Georgia for any reason. A 17 year old may be issued a Marriage License IF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE MET:
   1. A Petititon is granted in Juvenile Court for Emancipation and a Certified Copy of such Order is presented.
   2. 15 days have passed since the date of the Order Granting Emancipation was granted.
   3. The Older Party to the Marriage is no more than 4 years older than the younger party.
   4. Applicants have completed Premarital Education according to § 19-3-30.1.

   If the parties present a legal document that is in a language other than English, the Applicant must attach a translation of the document by a certified translator.

   Please note: Parties have a legal obligation to provide current, correct, and full legal names on the marriage license application. If the information provided on the marriage license application is not correct, the applicants may have problems with other government agencies, such as Immigration, Social Security, or Driver’s Services, and may incur additional costs and time delays when seeking to have the application for marriage license corrected.

   How much does it cost to apply for a Georgia marriage license?

   The cost of obtaining a marriage license is $56.00 or $16.00 with proof of premarital education.

   Premarital Counseling Requirements

   If a couple has completed premarital counseling they must provide proof via a notarized letter or certificate of completion. The person conducting the counseling may fill in the premarital education certificate available for printing below, or create their own proof of completion. The certificate or letter of completion shall state:

   • Both Marriage applicant's full name.
   • Date course was completed.
   • Number of hours completed (Minimum of 6 hours)
   • Name, title, signature, address and telephone number of the person performing premarital counseling.
   • Certificate must be on letterhead or a notarized certificate of completion form.

   Premarital counseling shall be performed by one of the following:

   • A professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter10A of Title 43;
   • A psychiatrist who is licensed as a physician pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43;
   • A psychologist who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 39 of Title 32; or
   • 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.

   Can we get married at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center?

   The Gwinnett County Probate Court invites you to participate in our free wedding ceremonies, held every Friday afternoon. English-conducted ceremonies will be scheduled at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm, while Spanish-conducted ceremonies will take place at 2:00 pm. All ceremonies will be conducted in a group setting and reservations are required. Click here for details.

   When can we get our marriage certificate?

   Once the marriage license is signed by the officiant performing the ceremony, the Probate Court will record the license. The marriage certificate can be requested by mail as soon as the original marriage license is received by the Court.

   How do I request and obtain a marriage certificate?

   Below you will find a Marriage Certificate Request form, which may be filed by mail.

   By mail: You may request a Georgia marriage certificate by mailing a written request to:

   Probate Court
   Vital Records Division
   75 Langley Drive
   Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046

   You must include your check or money order made payable to Gwinnett County Probate Court and a self-addressed stamped envelope back to yourself.

   How much is a certified marriage certificate?

   The cost of obtaining a marriage certificate is $10.00 per certificate.

   The Vital Records Division accepts cash, credit card (Visa, Discover, MasterCard), personal check or money order payable to the Gwinnett County Probate Court. The Probate Court will not accept business or third party checks.