Who Issues Marriage Licenses in Cobb County?
Marriage licenses in Cobb County are issued by the Cobb County Probate Court at 10 E. Park Square, Suite 230, Marietta, GA 30090. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Georgia issues marriage licenses through probate courts rather than county clerk offices — a distinction that trips up many couples who show up at the wrong courthouse window. In Cobb County, the Probate Court is located in the Cobb County Justice Center in Marietta.
The $56 Fee
Cobb County's marriage license fee is $56.00. Georgia law (OCGA §19-3-30) sets the fee, and Cobb has kept it at the standard amount. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $10.00 each. Payment: cash or money order. Call ahead for card payment availability.
Required Documents — What to Bring
Both applicants must appear together and each bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Must not be expired. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application. Physical card generally not required — just know your number.
- Prior marriage documentation: If either party has been divorced, provide the exact date and state of the divorce. For divorces within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Waiting Period
Georgia has no waiting period (OCGA §19-3-2). Your Cobb County license is valid for a ceremony the moment it's issued. The 1-year validity window is among the most generous in the United States.
Many Atlanta-area couples choose Cobb County over Fulton County (downtown Atlanta) because the Marietta probate court typically has shorter wait times and easier parking. The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Georgia regardless of which county issued it.
License Validity — 1 year
Your Cobb County marriage license is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, for ceremonies performed anywhere in Georgia. Plan your application date carefully. Use our expiration calculator and Wedding Date Planner to find your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must complete and return the signed marriage license to the Cobb County issuing office within the timeframe required by Georgia law (typically 10–30 days). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $10 each. Order at least 4–6 copies — you'll need them for Social Security, driver's license, passport, and bank account name changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A Cobb County marriage license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Georgia. You can apply in Marietta and hold your ceremony in Atlanta, Savannah, the North Georgia mountains, or anywhere else in the state.
Yes. Georgia law requires both applicants to appear together at the probate court to apply. Each party must present a valid photo ID and their Social Security number.
Yes. Georgia has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. Out-of-state couples frequently apply in Cobb County for its convenience and 1-year validity window.
Government offices change hours, fees, and appointment policies without always updating their websites. Call the Cobb County office directly the day before your visit to confirm current hours, fees, and whether you need an appointment.
Planning Your Visit to the County Probate Court
The County Probate Court handles marriage license applications for Cobb County. Georgia's $56 fee is the standard probate court fee statewide. Certified copies are $10 each from the probate court.
Georgia issues licenses through probate courts, not county clerks. No waiting period applies. The 1-year validity window is one of the most generous in the country.
Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Cobb County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:
- Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
- Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the County Probate Court. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $56 fee.
- License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
- Waiting period: None from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony anywhere in Georgia: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Georgia within the 1 year validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
- Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Georgia law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
- Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the County Probate Court or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying in Georgia. Download the Day-Of Checklist PDF to bring to your appointment. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total expenses including certified copies and name change fees.