Atlanta Marriage Records
Atlanta marriage records are kept by two county probate courts since the city spans both Fulton and DeKalb counties. Most of Atlanta falls in Fulton County, but parts of the city on the east side are in DeKalb County. Where you apply for your marriage license depends on your home address. Both courts issue licenses under the same Georgia law, so the process is much the same. The Fulton County Probate Court handles the bulk of Atlanta marriage license requests. If you live in the DeKalb portion, you go to the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur instead.
Atlanta Quick Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License in Atlanta
Atlanta residents need to figure out which county their address is in before they apply. This is the one extra step Atlanta couples face that most other Georgia cities do not. Your street address tells you which probate court to visit. If your home is in the Fulton County part of Atlanta, you go to the Fulton County Probate Court at 136 Pryor St. SW in downtown Atlanta. If you live in the DeKalb County side, you go to the DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur. Both courts are easy to reach from most parts of the city.
The Fulton County Probate Court is the busier of the two for Atlanta marriage records. It sits right in the heart of downtown near the state capitol building. Walk-in service is available, but wait times can be long on Fridays and around holidays. Call ahead at (404) 613-4583 to check current wait times. The office is in Suite C-230 of the courthouse at 136 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
| Court | Fulton County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 136 Pryor St. SW, Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| Phone | (404) 613-4583 |
| Website | fultonprobatega.org |
The Fulton County Probate Court website provides details on marriage license services in Atlanta.
This is the main portal for the Fulton County Probate Court, which handles most Atlanta marriage license requests each year.
Atlanta Marriage License Through Fulton County
Fulton County handles the vast majority of Atlanta marriage records. The court has a page just for marriage licenses with step-by-step instructions. Both people must show up in person with valid photo ID. You can use a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If either person was married before, bring a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. No blood test is needed in Georgia.
The Fulton County marriage license page explains all requirements for Atlanta couples.
This page spells out what you need to bring and what to expect when you visit the courthouse for your Atlanta marriage license.
The fee for a marriage license in Fulton County is $56 if you complete a premarital counseling course, or $77 without one. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets these fee ranges. The counseling discount is worth looking into. Several churches and counselors in the Atlanta area offer approved courses. Your license is valid for 60 days once issued. You must have the ceremony and return the signed license within that time frame, or you will need to apply again.
Note: Fulton County also lets you order certified copies of older Atlanta marriage records through their website.
The Fulton County certified copies page shows how to request past Atlanta marriage records.
Use this page to order copies of marriage records that were filed through Fulton County for Atlanta residents.
DeKalb County Marriage Records for Atlanta
A smaller share of Atlanta sits in DeKalb County. If that is where you live, the DeKalb County Probate Court handles your marriage license. The court is in Decatur, which is just a few miles east of downtown Atlanta. It is easy to reach by car or MARTA rail. The courthouse is at 556 N. McDonough St., Suite 1100, Decatur, GA 30030. Call (404) 371-2601 for hours and wait times.
| Court | DeKalb County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 556 N. McDonough St., Suite 1100, Decatur, GA 30030 |
| Phone | (404) 371-2601 |
| Website | dekalbprobatega.com |
The DeKalb County Probate Court website has information on marriage services for Atlanta residents in DeKalb.
The DeKalb Probate Court serves Atlanta residents who live on the east side of the city limits.
The DeKalb County marriage license page outlines the process for Atlanta residents filing in DeKalb.
DeKalb follows the same state rules for marriage licenses that Fulton does. The fee and process are similar.
The DeKalb County Government probate court page has additional info on court services.
This page covers the full range of probate court services in DeKalb County, including marriage records for Atlanta.
How to Apply for Atlanta Marriage Records
The process to get a marriage license in Atlanta is straightforward. Both people must appear at the probate court together. You cannot send one person alone. Bring your photo ID and your Social Security number. You do not need to bring the actual card, but you must know the number. If you were married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. This can be a certified divorce decree or a death certificate.
Fill out the application at the court. Staff will check your IDs and process the paperwork. Most Atlanta couples get their license the same day, often within an hour. There is no waiting period in Georgia, so your license is good right away. You then have 60 days to hold the ceremony and return the completed license to the court. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony, and you file it back with the same probate court that issued it.
For historical Atlanta marriage records, the Georgia Department of Public Health has records from 1952 through 1996. Contact them at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 679-4702. The search fee is $10 and copies cost $5 each. For records before 1952, try the Georgia Archives. Older marriage records may also be on file at the county level.
Note: You can also start a marriage license application online at georgiaprobaterecords.com before your visit to speed things up.
Atlanta Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 years old. There is no exception to this age rule in Georgia. You do not need to be a Georgia resident to get a marriage license in Atlanta. Out-of-state couples can apply here with no extra steps.
The requirements are simple:
- Both applicants must appear in person at the probate court
- Valid photo ID for each person (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Proof of divorce or death certificate if previously married
- Payment of the license fee ($56 with counseling, $77 without)
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1, couples who complete a premarital education course get a reduced license fee. The course must be at least six hours long. Many churches and counselors in the Atlanta area offer these courses. It is worth the time if you want to save on the fee. Ask at the probate court for a list of approved providers in the Atlanta area. The savings add up, and the courses cover topics that can help strengthen your marriage from the start.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Several cities near Atlanta also issue marriage records through their county probate courts. If you live in one of these areas, you may find it more convenient to apply at your local courthouse instead of traveling into downtown Atlanta. Each city links to its county probate court for marriage license services.
Nearby qualifying cities include South Fulton, Sandy Springs, East Point, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Stonecrest, Tucker, Redan, and Chamblee. Some of these cities are in Fulton County and some are in DeKalb County, so check which probate court serves your address before you apply for a marriage license.
Fulton County Marriage Records
Most of Atlanta falls within Fulton County. The Fulton County Probate Court manages marriage licenses and records for the city. For full details on the county court, fees, forms, and related records, see the Fulton County marriage records page.
DeKalb County Marriage Records
Parts of east Atlanta are in DeKalb County. The DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur serves these residents for all marriage license needs. Visit the DeKalb County marriage records page for full court details, office hours, and how to request copies.