For All Locations: You must return your signed marriage license back to the court by mail after your ceremony. Due to COVID procedures in each court, officiants are not allowed to return licenses on your behalf.

It is easy to obtain a marriage license in Georgia & South Carolina.

General Rules for Marriage Licenses

• Your marriage license must be for the state you will be married in.
• You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a marriage certificate without parental consent.
• In Georgia, if either applicant is a resident of Georgia, the license can be issued in any county. If neither is a resident of Georgia, the license must be issued in the county in which the marriage ceremony is to be performed.
• There is no waiting period in Georgia and your licenses do not expire.
• In South Carolina, you can use get your license from any county.
• There is a 24 hour waiting period in South Carolina, meaning you must plan ahead before making your travel arrangements. For example, if you plan a Saturday wedding, you must apply for your marriage license on Thursday and pick it up on Friday. Your license does not expire.
• All marriage license applications will require your personal information, as well as 
  • Last name you will use after marriage (if you are undecided or wish to change your name at a later date, you can use other channels to legally do so)
  • Father & mother’s full name, birthplace (city and state), and current address, as well as your mother’s maiden name

Documents

Georgia:

• In addition to the application, both applicants must present a “positive” I.D. Examples of positive I.D.s include a driver’s license, a certified copy of a birth certificate, a military I.D., a passport, or a state I.D. card. Most people use a driver’s license or passport.
• If either applicant has been divorced, you must also submit a certified copy of your most recent Judgment and Decree with the Judge’s signature on the order. If a marriage ended because of the death of a spouse, you must also submit a copy of the spouse’s death certificate.

South Carolina: 

• Applicants must provide identification, including a valid driver’s license, an original birth certificate or a certified copy of the birth certificate, a valid S.C. identification card issued by the S.C. Highway Department, a current military identification card, or a current passport
• Applicants must also provide a document with their social security number, either a social security card, a tax return (page 1) showing your name and your social security number, a W-2 or tax form showing your name and your social security number (please redact the financial information)
• If you are not a United States citizen, you must also provide a copy of your valid passport or current visa with your alien registration number.

Savannah- Chatham County Procedures

Application & Appointment

• Chatham County requires an online application. 
• You must schedule an appointment online for Chatham County to pay for fee and receive your license. You can only schedule your appointment up to 30 days in advance. Make sure that you have your documents available before you schedule your appointment. 
• Masks are required at your appointment.

Fee & Payment

• The fee for a marriage license is $66 in Chatham. They accept credit cards, debit cards, cash, money orders or cashier’s checks in the exact amount. There is a 2.75% service fee assessed to any credit/debit card transaction. 

When & Where

• Your appointment will be at the Chatham County Probate Court. It is located at 133 Montgomery St., Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401, and is open Monday-Friday from 8AM to noon and 1PM to 4:30PM, excluding holidays.

Additional Questions

• You can call the Chatham County Probate Court directly at (912) 652-7264, option 2 with additional questions.

Metro Atlanta- DeKalb County

Application & Appointment

• DeKalb County requires an online application. 
• You must schedule an appointment online for DeKalb County to receive your marriage license. You can only schedule your appointment up to 30 days in advance. Make sure that you have your documents available before you schedule your appointment. 
• Masks are required at your appointment.

Fee & Payment

• The fee for a marriage license is $66 in DeKalb County, plus a $2 shipping fee. The county accepts cash, money orders, or credit or debit cards. A service fee of $2 will be added to all credit, debit, and ACH transactions.

When & Where

• Your appointment will be at the DeKalb County Courthouse at 556 McDonough Street, B190 Judicial Tower (basement level), Decatur, GA 30030 and is open Monday – Friday: 8:00AM to 11:30AM and 12:30PM to 4PM, excluding holidays. 

Additional Questions

• You can call the DeKalb County Probate Court directly at (404) 371-2601 with additional questions.

Metro Atlanta- Fulton County

Application & Appointment

• Fulton asks that you download a PDF of the marriage license application) and bring the completed version with you.
• Fulton County’s main probate office (downtown location does not require appointments, but it is highly recommended you schedule one online. Fulton’s North & South Service centers are walk in only. Make sure that you have your documents available before you schedule your appointment. 
• Masks are required at your appointment.

Fee & Payment

• Marriage licenses are $56 in Fulton County, plus a $10 fee to receive a copy of your marriage certificate. The main downtown location accept cash & credit cards. The North & South Service centers are cashless.

When & Where 

• You can receive your license at one of three locations.

1. Probate Court (downtown location): 136 Pryor Street SW Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303. Open Monday – Friday: 8:30AM to 5PM, excluding holidays. 

2. North Service Center: 7741 Roswell Road Suite 219, Sandy Springs, Ga 30350. Open Monday – Friday: 8:30AM to 4PM, excluding holidays.

3. (South Service Center) 5600 Stonewall Tell Road Suite 218, College Park, GA 30349. Open Monday – Friday: 8:30AM to 4PM, excluding holidays.

Additional Questions

• You can call the Fulton County Probate Court directly at (404) 612-4692, option 1 with additional questions.

Hilton Head- Beaufort County

Application & Appointment

• You can complete your application in person in Beaufort County.
• Appointments are recommended at the main probate court and can be made by phone. Appointments are required at the Hilton Head Island satellite office. Make sure that you have your documents available before you schedule your appointment. 

Fee & Payment

• Marriage Licenses in Beaufort County are $50 for Beaufort residents, $75 for South Carolina residents and $95 for everyone else. They require exact cash.

When & Where

• Beaufort County has two locations, where you can get your marriage license, a main office and a satellite office.

1. Courthouse (main office): 102 Ribaut Road, Room 100, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902. Open Monday – Friday: 9AM to 4PM, excluding holidays. 

2. Beaufort County Government Center (satellite office): 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9AM to 12PM and 1PM to 4PM, excluding holidays

Additional Questions

• You can call the Beaufort County Courthouse directly at (843) 255-5850 with additional questions.

Once you develop a plan to get your paperwork squared away, check out our officiating packages!