How old do you have to be to get married in Georgia? What to know about tying the knot

Warmer weather, sunshine and weddings.

Summer is the second most popular season to get married, according to Wedding Wire, as 31% of couples get married in the heat of the summer.

Likewise, June is the third most popular month for weddings and in 2015, June weddings topped the charts.

So, if you’re looking to tie the knot soon, you’re probably not alone. And here’s what you need to know before saying “I do:”

Marriage license requirements in Georgia

Both parties must meet the following requirements to get a marriage license in Georgia:

• You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind

• Have no living spouse from a prior undissolved marriage

• Both parties must go to the probate court and be present in order to obtain a marriage license.

• Both parties must have proof of identification

If you are a resident of Georgia, you can go to any probate court to get your marriage license. However, if neither party is a resident of Georgia, you will have to get the license in the county where the ceremony is taking place.

Each county may have different requirements for obtaining a marriage license.

If you are 17 years of age, you must show that you have been emancipated for at least 15 days and present a certificate of completion of separate specialized premarital counseling for each applicant, even if one applicant is over 18.

How to get marriage license in GA

To get a marriage license, you must follow these steps:

• Call your local probate court and set up an appointment to get a marriage license

• When it is time for your appointment, go to probate court and make sure both parties have proof of identification, which can be one of the following: Valid driver’s license, original or certified copy of birth certificate, valid passport or valid military ID

In Macon-Bibb County, there is a marriage license fee of $77. The fee is reduced to $37 if both parties receive a certification of premarital counseling.

In Columbus, at the Muscogee County Probate Court, a marriage license is $56 and with six hours of premarital counseling, the price is reduced to $16.

Premarital blood tests are no longer required in the state of Georgia.

How to get a copy of your marriage license

To get a certified copy of your marriage license, you must fill out a request form and send it to your probate court via mail or deliver in person. There is typically a request form fee as well, usually $10.

Macon-Bibb’s request form is online. If you live in a different county, call your local probate court office to get the form.

Getting married soon? Let us know what questions you have by commenting below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com