Houston County, Georgia

Marriage License

The Probate Court of Houston County issues marriage licenses and maintains those records. We also issue certified and plain copies of marriage licenses and applications for all marriages that were applied for in Houston County.

Obtaining a License to Marry

  • Applicants must both appear in person (special circumstances apply - Please email us at the email address below for details)
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, BOTH parents must sign a consent form - NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • A picture identification card is required for both applicants.
  • A divorce decree or death certificate from the former spouse is required from one or both applicants that have had prior marriages.
  • An application for a marriage license must be filled out and signed by both applicants.
  • At least one applicant has to be a resident of Georgia in order to apply for a marriage license in a county other than the county they are to be married in. If both applicants are not residents of Georgia, you must apply in the same county you are getting married in.
  • There is a $61.00 fee for a marriage license without Certification of Premarital Counseling and $26.00 with Certificate of Premarital Counseling. These can be paid by cash, check, or money order.
  • In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the couple must provide the Court with a signed and dated certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program. You may use the following form: Premarital Education Certificate.

Filing a License after the Marriage Ceremony

After a couple is married by a clergy or person who is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, the license is mailed back to the Probate Court. The court then issues a certified copy of the marriage license to the couple through the mail.

Fees for Certified and Plain Copies of Marriage Licenses and Applications

  • If a couple needs additional copies of their marriage license, they may be purchased for $5.00 each using the same payment methods as listed above.
  • Both the marriage application and license are public record and can be purchased by anyone. No identification is required to purchase a certified application or a certified copy of a marriage license.
  • Plain copies are .25 per page.

To receive certified or plain copies in the mail

  • Send us a written request with the name of the Bride (name prior to marriage) and Groom and date of marriage
  • Please tell us what type of copy and how many copies you are requesting
  • Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Please enclose a local check or money order for the total amount of copies requested (fees listed above)

To receive a certified copy of YOUR marriage license online

Related Links

NOTE: To receive a copy online, the requester must be the bride or the groom of the marriage that is being requested. Otherwise, you must apply in person or by mail.

For further information please contact Susan Simons.