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A Georgia marriage license is a legal document that authorizes two people to marry in Georgia. It is a requirement for anyone planning to get married in the state, and obtaining one is an important step in the wedding planning process. This blog post will discuss the eligibility criteria, the documents required, and the process of obtaining a Georgia marriage license.
Eligibility Criteria for the Georgia Marriage License
- Legal recognition of the couple's union
- Access to legal rights and protections, such as inheritance and property ownership
- Ability to make medical decisions for each other
- Easier access to benefits and services, such as health insurance and tax benefits
- Widely recognized form of identification, making it easier to travel together
- Ability to file joint tax returns and potentially reduce tax liability
- Access to spousal benefits from employers, such as health insurance and retirement plans
- Ability to establish joint bank accounts and other financial arrangements
- Increased social and cultural acceptance and recognition of the couple's relationship.
Required Documents for the Georgia Marriage License
To obtain a marriage license in Georgia, you and your partner must visit the Probate Court in the county where you plan to get married.
- Photo Identification: Both you and your partner must bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID
- Proof of Age: In Georgia, if you are 18 years of age or older, parental consent is not required to enter into marriage. Nonetheless, you are required to provide evidence of your age by presenting a birth certificate or any other document issued by the government.
- Social Security Number: Both you and your partner must provide your social security numbers
- Divorce Decree or Death Certificate: If you or your partner have been previously married, you must bring a divorce decree or death certificate to prove the previous marriage has ended
- Marriage License Fee: A marriage license varies by county but is typically around $56.00. You will need to pay this fee when you apply for the license
It's important to note that Georgia has a waiting period of 24 hours after you obtain the license before you can get married. The validity of the license is for 60 days from the date of issue.
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How to Apply for a Georgia Marriage License
- Determine Which County in Georgia You Plan to Get Married in. You must obtain your marriage license from the probate court in the county where your marriage will occur
- Visit the Probate Court in Person. You and your partner must go to the probate court during business hours. You can find the location and hours of your county's probate court online or by calling the courthouse
- Bring the Required Documents. As mentioned earlier, you must bring a government-issued photo ID, proof of age, social security numbers, and any necessary divorce decrees or death certificates. You will also need to bring the fee for the marriage license, which varies by county
- Fill Out the Application. The probate court will provide you with an application for a marriage license. You must fill out the application with your personal information and sign it
- Wait for the Waiting Period. After you and your partner have completed the application and provided all necessary documents, you must wait for the 24-hour period to expire before you can get married
- Pick Up Your Marriage License. After the waiting period, you can return to the probate court to pick up your marriage license. Make sure to bring a valid ID with you
Once you have your marriage license, you can get married in Georgia if you have an officiant authorized to perform marriages in the state.
Importance of the Georgia Marriage License
The importance of obtaining a marriage license in Georgia lies in the legal recognition and protection it provides to couples who wish to marry. Here are some key reasons why a marriage license is important in Georgia:
- Legal Recognition: A marriage license legally recognizes the couple's union and establishes the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage, such as inheritance, property ownership, and medical decision-making.
- Access to Legal Rights and Protections: With a marriage license, couples gain access to legal protections that are not available to unmarried couples, such as spousal support, survivor benefits, and the ability to file joint tax returns.
- Ease of Access to Benefits and Services: A marriage license can make it easier for couples to access benefits and services, such as health insurance and social security benefits.
- Travel and Identification: A marriage license is a widely recognized form of identification, making it easier for couples to travel together and establish joint bank accounts and other financial arrangements.
- Cultural and Social Recognition: Marriage is a culturally and socially recognized institution, and obtaining a marriage license can give couples a sense of legitimacy and acceptance in their communities.
Overall, obtaining a marriage license is important for couples wishing to marry in Georgia. It provides legal recognition, protection, and benefits unavailable to unmarried couples and is essential to establishing a committed, long-term relationship.
Key Terms for the Georgia Marriage License
- Marriage License: A legal document required for anyone planning to get married in Georgia
- Eligibility Criteria: Both parties must be at least 18 years old and legally able to marry
- Required Documents: Valid forms of identification, social security numbers, and proof of divorce or annulment (if applicable)
- Application Process: Both parties must fill out and sign the application, pay the fee, and wait 24 hours before picking up the license from the probate court
- Probate Court: The court in the county where the couple plans to get married and where they must go to apply for their Georgia marriage license
Final Thoughts on the Georgia Marriage License
In conclusion, obtaining a marriage license in Georgia is a straightforward process that requires both parties to meet specific eligibility criteria. The criteria include age, identification, residency, waiting period, previous marriages, and blood tests. Couples must apply for a marriage license at the Probate Court in the county where at least one party resides and provide necessary documentation and identification.
Once the license is issued, it is valid for up to 60 days, and couples can proceed with their marriage ceremony. Obtaining a marriage license in Georgia legally recognises the couple's union and access to various legal rights and protections, such as inheritance and property ownership. Additionally, it can make it easier for couples to access benefits and services, such as health insurance and tax benefits, and facilitate travel and identification.
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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
