COLUMBUS, Ga. - A marriage license in Muscogee County costs $56, but couples who complete at least six hours of qualifying premarital education can pay just $16, saving $40. Both applicants must appear in person at the Probate Court, which processes marriage licenses on a walk-in basis only and stops processing applications at 4 p.m. Couples can begin the application online, but they must visit the court to finish it.

The Muscogee County Probate Court currently handles marriage licenses at 100 10th St., 6th Floor. The court will relocate in November, making the date of an application important for couples planning a visit. Here are seven steps for getting a license, arranging a courthouse ceremony and obtaining certified copies afterward.

Step 1: Start the application online

Couples can begin their marriage license application through the online portal linked from the Muscogee County Probate Court's marriage license page. The portal allows applicants to enter information before visiting the office. Completing the online portion does not eliminate the required in-person visit.

After completing the application, applicants receive an order number. The court states that applicants will not receive a confirmation email after completing the online application. Once they have their order number, they can visit the Probate Court to finish the process.

Step 2: Gather identification and previous marriage records

Both applicants must bring valid identification, such as a driver's license or passport. The court also accepts a birth certificate accompanied by photo identification. Anyone previously married must bring a copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate if the previous spouse died.

For divorces handled in Muscogee County, applicants can obtain copies from the Superior Court Clerk's Office on the second floor of the Government Center. Georgia generally requires applicants to be at least 18 years old. Applicants must also be of sound mind, have no living spouse from an undissolved marriage and not be related within a degree prohibited by law.

Georgia has additional restrictions for applicants who are 17 years old. They must provide a certified juvenile court emancipation order, wait at least 15 days after it was granted and bring printed proof of at least six hours of premarital counseling. The county adds that the two applicants' ages cannot differ by more than four years. Since July 1, 2019, Georgia has not issued marriage licenses to anyone younger than 17, and parental consent is no longer allowed.

Step 3: Both applicants must visit before the 4 p.m. cutoff

The Probate Court requires both people to appear when applying for a marriage license. Applications are processed on a walk-in basis only, and the office stops processing licenses at 4 p.m. The court issues licenses based on written applications verified by the applicants' oaths.

If either applicant lives in Georgia, the couple may obtain a marriage license in any Georgia county. If neither applicant lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place. Couples can call 706-225-4750 to confirm office availability before visiting.

Step 4: Pay $56 or qualify for the $16 reduced charge

Georgia law waives the marriage license fee for couples who complete qualifying premarital education, although other charges may apply. Muscogee County's fee schedule lists a $40 license fee without the education certificate, plus additional charges totaling $16. That produces a $56 standard total and a $16 total for qualifying couples.

The education must include at least six hours covering marital issues such as communication, conflict management, finances, parenting and extended family roles. Both applicants must complete the education together within 12 months before applying. Qualifying providers include licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and eligible clergy or trained designees.

The couple must present printed physical proof of the completed education to receive the reduced charge. The Probate Court accepts cash, money orders and credit or debit cards, with a 3% processing fee for cards. It does not accept American Express, personal checks or tap-to-pay methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Step 5: Arrange a ceremony after receiving the license

Couples who want a courthouse ceremony with a judge must first obtain their marriage license. The Probate Court offers ceremonies on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday ceremonies are available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m.

The court does not conduct ceremonies on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Courthouse ceremonies have a 3 p.m. cutoff on the days they are offered. Couples planning to use a judge should account for these limited ceremony hours when arranging their license application.

Step 6: Return the original license after the ceremony

After a ceremony performed by an officiant, the couple must return the original marriage license to the Probate Court. The court accepts the original document in person or through U.S. Mail. This return allows the court to record the marriage.

The Probate Court's mailing address is P.O. Box 1340, Columbus, GA 31902. The mailing address will remain the same after the court relocates in November. Couples can contact the marriage license office at [email protected] with questions about the return process.

Step 7: Request certified copies of the marriage license

Certified copies cost $10 each and become available after the marriage has taken place and the original license has been returned and recorded. Couples can request copies online using a credit card or submit requests by mail. The court does not offer certified copies that applicants can print at home.

A mailed request must include the marriage date, both parties' full names and a return address. Applicants must include a $10 money order for each copy, payable to Probate Court, and mail the request to P.O. Box 1340, Columbus, GA 31902. The court says mailed copies take approximately five to seven days.

Important: Probate Court moving Nov. 6

The Muscogee County Probate Court will close at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, to relocate to the second floor of the John D. Allen Judicial Center. The court says it will resume normal operating hours Monday, Nov. 9. Its telephone number and mailing address will remain unchanged.

The court has also announced several additional November schedule changes. It will close Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day, and close at noon Wednesday, Nov. 25. The office will remain closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for Thanksgiving.

Other Georgia marriage license rules

Georgia no longer requires blood tests for marriage licenses, having eliminated the requirement effective July 1, 2003. The state nevertheless recommends a sickle cell blood test before obtaining a license. Applicants must also designate their intended surname after marriage on the application.

Georgia permits applicants to select their existing surname, a surname from a previous marriage, their spouse's surname or an authorized combination of surnames. The county charges $75 for a petition to amend a marriage license application. Couples can review their proposed surname selections when completing the original paperwork.

## How we did this Columbus Times reviewed the Muscogee County Probate Court's marriage license instructions, courthouse information, fee schedule and online application instructions as available Oct. 28, 2026. We also reviewed marriage license requirements published by the Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia, including premarital education rules, eligibility requirements and state fee provisions. The $40 savings figure is Columbus Times math based on the county's published $56 standard charge and $16 reduced charge.