Where to Get a Marriage License in Fulton County
136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303 — Fulton County Probate Court. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Georgia issues licenses through probate courts, not county clerks.
Fulton County is Georgia's most populous county and home to Atlanta, the state capital. The Probate Court in the Fulton County Courthouse is one of the busiest in the Southeast. Downtown Atlanta parking is expensive — the MARTA rail system (Garnett or Five Points station) provides affordable access.
Fee — $56
Fulton County's fee is $56. Georgia's certified copies are available from the probate court at $10 each.
Accepted payment at most Georgia county offices: cash, credit/debit card, money order. Personal checks are generally not accepted. Call the office to confirm current payment options before your visit.
Required Documents — Bring These
Both applicants must appear together in person and each bring:
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or equivalent. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application for both parties. Physical card not required — just know the number. Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN write "None."
- Prior marriage information: Date and state where prior marriage ended (divorce date or death of spouse). For divorces finalized within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Government office hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods can change without public notice. A 2-minute phone call the day before your visit prevents wasted trips. The office number is available on the Fulton County government website.
Waiting Period — None
Georgia has no waiting period and a 1-year validity window — ideal for couples planning ahead. Fulton County's volume means occasional wait times at the Probate Court. Arriving before 10 AM on a weekday typically results in the shortest lines.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying based on your ceremony date and Georgia's waiting period and validity rules.
License Validity — 1 year
Your Fulton County marriage license is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. It is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Georgia. Do not apply too far in advance — if the license expires before your ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Use our expiration calculator to track your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Fulton County issuing office within the timeframe required by Georgia law (typically 10–30 days after the ceremony). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $10.00 each. Order at least 4–6 certified copies — you will need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport agency, and financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Georgia requires both applicants to appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Both must present valid photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers. There are very limited exceptions for active military deployment in some states — contact the office directly if one party cannot appear.
Yes. Georgia has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Georgia, regardless of where you live. Out-of-state ID is accepted.
Order at least 4–6 certified copies when you're at the office (or request them after recording). You will need one each for: Social Security Administration name change, state DMV name change, passport name change, and potentially one or two more for banks, insurance companies, or professional licensing boards. Ordering multiple copies at once is far more efficient than reordering individually later.
An expired marriage license cannot be used. If your ceremony is delayed beyond the validity window, you must return to the Fulton County office, reapply, and pay the $56 fee again. There is no extension process. Use the expiration calculator to track your deadline.
Planning Your Visit to Fulton County Probate Court
The Fulton County Probate Court is located at 136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303. Fulton County (Atlanta) is Georgia's most populous county and home to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport — the world's busiest. Georgia issues licenses through probate courts. The Fulton Probate Court is in the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta, accessible by MARTA (Garnett or Five Points stations).
Atlanta's wedding market spans from Buckhead luxury venues to Ponce City Market industrial chic. Arrive before 10 AM to minimize wait times. Georgia's no-waiting-period rule and 1-year validity make same-day or advance-planning marriages equally practical.
What Makes Fulton County, Georgia Different
Fulton County (Atlanta) is Georgia's most populous county and home to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport — the world's busiest. Georgia issues licenses through probate courts. The Fulton Probate Court is in the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta, accessible by MARTA (Garnett or Five Points stations).
Timeline: From Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Fulton County, Georgia marriage, from the day you apply to the day you have certified copies in hand for name changes:
- Application day: Both parties appear at Fulton County Probate Court. Bring photo IDs, Social Security numbers, and the $56 fee. The application takes 15–25 minutes at the counter.
- License issued: You leave with a physical paper marriage license. Guard it — if it is lost or damaged, you must reapply.
- Waiting period: None from the moment of issuance (if applicable for this state). Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony: Hold your ceremony anywhere in Georgia within the 1 year validity window. Your officiant signs the license immediately after the ceremony.
- Officiant returns license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Georgia law (typically 10–30 days).
- Certificate recorded: The county records the marriage. Allow 2–4 weeks.
- Order certified copies: Request certified copies from the Fulton County Probate Court or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for SSA, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. See our complete name change guide.
Download our free Day-Of Marriage License Checklist PDF — a print-ready document you can fill in with your county-specific details and bring to the Fulton County Probate Court on your application day. No signup required.