How To Officiate A Wedding In Georgia: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're planning a wedding in Georgia, you'll need to make sure you're following the correct legal process to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch. In Georgia, weddings are considered legal and civil unions, so they fall under the mandatory oversight of the Georgia state legislature and judicial branch. For a wedding to be legally recognised, there are a few key steps that need to be followed. Firstly, it's important to obtain a valid marriage license from the probate court in the county where the wedding will take place. There is no waiting period for the license, but it must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony. Secondly, the state requires the presence of two witnesses and an officiant who is a recognised minister or clergyman of any religious society or sect. There is no requirement for the minister to be a resident of Georgia, and no stipulation for minister registration, but they should be in ''good standing' with their ministry. Finally, the marriage ceremony must include a proclamation and a pronouncement, where both individuals express their desire to wed and are then announced in front of their witnesses.

Who can officiate a wedding in Georgia?

In the state of Georgia, any ordained minister or clergyman of any religious society or sect is authorized to perform wedding ceremonies. There is no requirement for the minister to be a resident of Georgia, and the state does not have any stipulation for minister registration. However, the officiant should be in 'good standing' within their ministry.

To officiate a wedding in Georgia, you must be over the age of 18 and follow these steps:

• Become ordained online through organizations such as the Universal Life Church or Christian Leaders Alliance.
• Check the county marriage requirements of the specific county where the wedding will take place.
• Obtain a valid marriage license from the probate court in the county where the wedding will occur.
• Prepare for the wedding ceremony.

It is important to note that marriage licenses in Georgia do not expire, but they must be submitted within 30 days after the wedding ceremony. Additionally, there is no waiting period between when the couple applies for the license and when it is issued.

When signing the marriage license, the officiant's title will be "Minister", the ceremony type is "Religious", and the denomination is "Non-Denominational". No ministerial ID number is required.

What are the requirements to officiate a wedding in Georgia?

To officiate a wedding in Georgia, one must be an ordained minister or clergyman of any religious society or sect. There is no requirement for residency in Georgia, and the state does not require minister registration. However, the officiant should be in 'good standing' with their ministry. The minimum age to officiate a wedding in Georgia is 18.

To obtain the necessary credentials to officiate a wedding in Georgia, one can follow these steps:

• Become ordained online through an organization such as the Universal Life Church or Christian Leaders Alliance.
• Check the specific requirements of the county where the wedding will take place, as they may vary. For example, some counties may ask to see credentials or other documents.
• Contact the office of the probate court in the county and introduce yourself as the minister who will be officiating the wedding. Ask them what documents they will need from you.
• Obtain a valid marriage license from the probate court. In Georgia, marriage licenses do not expire, and there is no waiting period between when the couple applies for the license and when it is issued. However, the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days after the wedding ceremony.

It is important to note that the couple getting married is responsible for picking up the marriage license. As an officiant, it is your responsibility to know how marriage licenses work in Georgia and the specific rules of the county where the wedding will take place.

How do you officiate a wedding in Georgia?

To officiate a wedding in Georgia, you must be an ordained minister or clergyman of any religious society or sect. There is no requirement for residency in Georgia, and the state does not require minister registration. However, the officiant should be in "good standing" within their ministry.

Become an Ordained Minister:

The first step is to become an ordained minister through an organization like the Universal Life Church or Christian Leaders Alliance. Both organizations offer free online ordination, which will allow you to officiate weddings in Georgia.

Check County Marriage Requirements:

Each county in Georgia may have slightly different requirements for officiants, so it is essential to contact the local probate court where the wedding will take place. They will be able to inform you of any specific documents or requirements needed.

Obtain a Valid Marriage License:

In Georgia, the couple getting married is responsible for obtaining the marriage license from the probate court. There is no waiting period for the license, and it does not expire. However, the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.

Prepare for the Wedding:

As an officiant, you will need to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements of the wedding ceremony. In Georgia, a legal wedding only requires the proclamation ("I do") and the pronouncement ("I now pronounce you married"). Both parties must be present, and the marriage license must be signed by the officiant, the married couple, and two witnesses.

Perform the Wedding:

Once all the paperwork is in order and you have prepared the ceremony, you are ready to perform the wedding!

Finalize the Marriage:

After the ceremony, you will need to sign the marriage license, listing your title as "Minister," the ceremony type as "Religious," and the denomination as "Non-Denominational." No ministerial ID number is required. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days to finalize the marriage.

What are the legal requirements for a wedding in Georgia?

To be legally married in Georgia, there are several requirements that must be met. These include:

Age and Capacity Requirements:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
• If either party is 17, they must provide documentary proof of parental emancipation.
• Both parties must be of sound mind and cannot be closely related to their prospective spouse by blood or marriage.
• Neither party can have a living spouse from a previous undissolved marriage.

Marriage License Requirements:

• The marriage license must be obtained from the probate court in the county where the ceremony will take place.
• There is no waiting period for the license to be issued, and it does not expire.
• The license must be returned to the probate court within 30 days after the wedding ceremony, along with a certificate stating the fact and date of the marriage.
• The cost of the marriage license varies from county to county.

Officiant Requirements:

• The wedding ceremony must be officiated by an ordained minister or clergyman who is in good standing with their religious organization.
• The officiant does not need to be a resident of Georgia and there is no statewide registration process or minimum age requirement.
• However, some counties may require documentation of ordination, so it is important to check the local requirements.

Ceremony Requirements:

• Both parties must be present for the ceremony, as proxy marriages are not allowed.
• The ceremony must include a proclamation, where both individuals express their desire to wed ("I do"), and a pronouncement, where the couple is announced as married in front of witnesses.
• The marriage license must be signed by the officiant, the married couple, and two witnesses.

Additional Requirements:

• There is no residency requirement for either party, but if both individuals are from out-of-state, they must obtain the marriage license in the county where the ceremony will take place.
• There is no requirement for a blood test, but proof of identification is needed to obtain the marriage license.
• If either party has been previously divorced, proof of the divorce decree may be required.

By ensuring that all these legal requirements are met, couples can have a valid and recognized marriage in the state of Georgia.

What is the process to get a Georgia marriage license?

To obtain a marriage license in Georgia, you must meet the following requirements:

• Both parties must be present when applying for a marriage license.
• You must be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and have no living spouse from a prior undissolved marriage.
• A 17-year-old may be issued a marriage license if they have proof of parental emancipation. If the 17-year-old has parental consent, they can marry at 16, but they cannot marry someone more than four years their senior.
• If at least one person getting married is a resident of Georgia, the marriage license can be issued at a probate court in any county. If neither person is a resident, the license must be issued in the county where the ceremony is taking place.
• You will need to provide proof of age, proof of divorce (if applicable), and a method of payment when applying for a marriage license. Accepted forms of ID include a birth certificate, driver's license, passport, etc.
• Marriage licenses in Georgia cost around $50-60 but may vary depending on the county. You may be able to reduce the cost by providing a certificate of completion of a state-approved premarital education program.
• You can apply for a marriage license online or in person, depending on the county.

After receiving your marriage license, remember to bring it with you to the ceremony. Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant will sign the document. Within 30 days after the wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the probate court. The court will then process the license and send you the marriage certificate within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions