Chatham County, GA - Court System

MARRIAGE LICENSES/CERTIFICATES DURING COVID-19

Marriage Licenses: Getting your marriage license is a two-step process:

You must submit your application (along with copies of any necessary supporting documentation), which is done either by emailing it to us or by placing it in a drop box at the door of Probate Court in Room 509. Necessary supporting documentation includes, but is not limited to, color copies of both applicant's current driver's licenses or passports, signed or sealed divorce judgment from last marriage or death certificate for deceased former spouse.
We will then review your application and, once we find it to be complete, we will email you a link to schedule an appointment for both applicants to come to the Court for your license. (If your application or its documentation is not complete, we will email you to let you know what’s still needed.)
Probate Court is not accepting cash or personal checks at this time. You will need to pay with a credit or debit card or have a money order or cashier's check in the exact amount when you complete the process at Probate Court.

This process will minimize your time at the courthouse and save you from having to make return trips. Walk-ups without appointment will not be accepted.

After your marriage ceremony, you will be required to mail the completed license to Probate Court to obtain one certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Marriage license applications should be emailed to ProbateLicensing@chathamcounty.org

Application for Marriage License

All Request for Marriage Certificates and other Marriage Records should be made by mail:
Please complete the "Existing Marriage Document Request Form" found at https://courts.chathamcountyga.gov/Probate/MarriageLicenses

Requesting copies of MARRIAGE DOCUMENTS

Mailed Requests

The Record Room will accept requests for copies of marriage records by mail. Please complete the Existing Marriage Document Request form, attach a money order or cashier's check in the correct amount and enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Existing Marriage Document Request

Record Room Appointments

Effective June 15, 2020, the Record Room will be available by appointment only. Each appointment will be thirty (30) minutes in length. Only one person will be admitted for each appointment so please do not bring children or extra people. All persons entering the Record Room will be required to wear facemasks covering their nose and mouth. Below you will find a link to the appointment calendar:

Record Room Appointment Calendar

Please come prepared with the Existing Marriage Document request form when you arrive for your appointment to make the most of your time. You will be required to pay for services or copies with a credit or debit card (or have a money order or cashier's check in the exact amount). No cash or personal checks will be accepted.

Existing Marriage Document Request

Hours to Apply: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Thursday)

Georgia residents may apply for a marriage license in any county in Georgia.
If neither applicant is a resident of Georgia, the marriage license must be obtained in the county where the ceremony is going to be performed.
For marriage licenses issued in the State of Georgia, the marriage ceremony must be performed in Georgia.
Premarital blood tests are no longer required in Georgia.

Chatham County Courthouse
133 Montgomery Street, Room 509
Savannah, GA 31401
Map & Directions

Ceremonies

The Probate Court of Chatham County does not offer or conduct wedding ceremonies.

The Probate Court is not currently accepting cash or personal checks. Mailed in pleadings and requests must be paid by money order or cashier's check. Credit and Debit cards will be accepted if services are rendered on premises.

Fees

Without Certificate of Premarital Education
- License Fee: $66.00*
  *Includes one certified copy of marriage certificate
With Certificate of Premarital Education
- License Fee: $26.00*
- For reduced fee, applicants must present at Court:
  - Signed and dated certificate of completion from a qualifying premarital education program with at least six hours of instruction
  - Premarital Education Certificate of Completion
  - Premarital Counseling Under 17 Underage Marriage
    See O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1
  - Supporting Affidavit Pre-marital Education
Forms of Payment
Probate Court only accepts credit card (Discover, Visa, MasterCard only), debit cards, money orders or cashier’s checks in the exact amount. Probate Court does not accept cash or personal checks for Marriage Licenses and Pistol Permits.

Please note: there will be a 2.75% service fee assessed to any credit/debit card transaction.

All fees are nonrefundable.

Forms

Marriage License and Certificate Process

Both applicants must be present in order to obtain a marriage license.
You must provide proof of your age. Documents that are accepted include, but are not limited to, a valid driver’s license, original or certified copy of birth certificate, valid passport, or valid armed forces identification care. See O.C.G.A. 19-3-36 for more information
Pursuant to 19-3-2, no one under the age of 17 shall be issued a marriage license in the State of Georgia for any reason. If either applicant for marriage is 17 years of age, documentary proof shall be required that such applicant was emancipated by operation of law or pursuant to a petition filed with the Juvenile Court; provided, in addition, that:
- A certified copy of the order providing for the emancipation shall be provided as documentary proof;
- At least 15 days shall have passed since such emancipation;
- The older party to the marriage contract shall not be more than four years older than the younger party to the marriage contract; and
- Each party to the marriage contract who is 17 years of age shall present a certificate of completion of premarital education as provided under Code Section 19-3-30.1.
If either applicant was previously married and the spouse died, you must present proof of death such as a death certificate or an obituary.
If either applicant was previously divorced, you must present a final, stamped and sealed divorce decree(s).
If either applicant presents a legal document in a language other than English, the applicant must attach a translation of the document by a certified translator.
Following the wedding ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the Probate Court for recording. With your application fee, you are entitled to one (1) certified copy of your marriage certificate which will be given to you when you return the completed marriage license to this Probate Court. If you cannot come to Probate Court in person, you can mail the completed marriage license to the following address:

Probate Court of Chatham County
Attention: Marriage Certificates

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 8344
Savannah, Georgia 31412

Physical Address and Overnight Delivery
133 Montgomery Street, Room 509
Savannah, Georgia 31401

Requesting Certified Copies of Marriage Documents

The fee for a certified copy of a marriage certificate, a marriage license and/or a marriage license application is $10.00/copy (no cash or personal checks).
Please send the "Request Form" if requesting by mail:
- Existing Marriage Document Request Form
You can request certified copies either in person or by mail to the following address:

Probate Court of Chatham County