A marriage certificate is an official recording of a couple’s marriage. It can be used as evidence of a change of name for one of the parties, for legitimation purposes, for genealogical research, and during divorce proceedings. Marriage records are available at the State Office from June 1952 to August 1996. Copies of marriage records earlier than 1952 and after 1996 are only available from the county Probate Court where the license was issued.
Who may request a Marriage Certificate?
Certified copies of marriage licenses are available to the general public, but a certified copy of the marriage license application is only available to the spouses listed on the marriage license. Some Probate Courts also issue an attractive, frameable copy of marriage documents. These copies are not available at the State Office of Vital Records.
How do I request a Marriage Certificate within the first six months after the event?
To request a copy of the marriage certificate within the first six months of the event, we recommend that you contact the county office where the marriage license was issued. You may choose to send your request to the State Office of Vital Records; however, we may not have it on file. If we do not have it on file, we will issue a “Not On File” letter and retain the $10 search fee, per Georgia law.
What information is required when requesting a Marriage Certificate?
The person requesting a certified copy of a marriage record must provide:
1. A completed and signed request form which can be downloaded by clicking here.
2. A photocopy of your valid photo ID such as one of the following:
- Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Weapons Carry License - New
- Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired U.S. Passport
- Unexpired Foreign Passport
- U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent Identification, Veteran’s Identification
- Unexpired Consulate Card
- Transportation ID
- Debit Card with Picture
- Employer ID Card
- School, University, or College Identification Card
- DMV ID Card
- Department of Corrections Identification Card
Where can I request a Marriage Certificate?
The State Office and all county offices have public walk-in service; however, some county offices may be closed certain days of the week or sometime during the day. The State Office is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday, closed on weekends and holidays. The hours of operation for our lobby are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday-Friday.
The following options are available for requesting a marriage certificate:
Mail-in Request
Mail a completed copy of the appropriate request form to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Response Time: 8-10 Weeks
Please download and complete the following form:
Request for Search of Marriage Record (Form 3913)
(A separate completed request form is needed for each record requested.)
Note: Marriage Records prior to June 1952 must be requested at the office of the probate judge in the county where the license was issued.
Walk-in Service
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday, Except State Holidays
State Office of Vital Records or any County Vital Records Office.
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Response Time: Same Day Service
Click here for a list of State Holidays.
Click here for a list of County Offices.
Note: It is not possible to request a marriage record from the State Office by email or telephone. By law, all vital record search requests must be signed and submitted.
What is the cost of a Marriage Certificate?
Georgia law requires pre-payment before a record or a service can be provided. Fees are not refundable after a service has been provided. Records are sent first class mail.
- Search fee (includes one certified copy) $10.00
- Additional certifications of same record ordered at the same time (full size only) $5.00
- Multi-year search (every three years or portion thereof) $10.00
What forms of payment are accepted?
Fees may be paid by one of the following methods:
- Certified Check
- Money Order
- Master Card or Visa (walk-in only)
- Cash or Debit Card (walk-in only)
Note: Do NOT send cash in the mail. Make certified checks and money orders payable to State Office of Vital Records.
Page last updated 01/30/2018