Georgia Marriage License Application (O.C.G.A. § 19-3-33): What Gwinnett County Couples Need to Know About the Oath Requirement

Getting married in Georgia is an exciting milestone, but before you walk down the aisle, you need a marriage license — and the application for that license has specific legal requirements that many couples don't expect. Under Georgia law, the marriage license application must be "verified by oath," a process that typically involves notarization. Here's what you need to know.

What Is the Georgia Marriage License Application?

The Georgia Marriage License Application is the official form that couples must complete before a marriage license can be issued by the probate court. The form collects essential information from both applicants, including:

• Full legal names and any prior names
• Dates of birth and places of birth
• Current addresses and counties of residence
• Social Security numbers (used for the state's marriage index and child support records)
• Information about prior marriages, if any
• Whether the applicants have completed a premarital education course

In Gwinnett County, both applicants must appear together in person at the Probate Court, located at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. You'll need valid government-issued photo identification, and if either applicant was previously married, certified divorce decrees or death certificates must be presented.

Why Does Georgia Law Require Notarization?

O.C.G.A. § 19-3-33 explicitly states that a marriage license "shall be issued on written application therefor, made by the persons seeking the license, verified by oath of the applicants." The key phrase is "verified by oath" — this means the applicants must swear under oath that the information provided on the application is true and accurate.

The verification by oath serves several important purposes:

• Legal accountability: Swearing to the truth of the information makes the applicants legally responsible for its accuracy. Knowingly providing false information on a marriage license application can carry legal consequences.
• Fraud prevention: The oath requirement helps deter marriage fraud, bigamy, and the concealment of prior marriages.
• Record integrity: The verified application becomes part of the permanent marriage record maintained by the probate court, ensuring the data is reliable for future reference.

The standard marriage license application form includes a jurat — a notarial certificate in which the applicants swear or affirm the truth of their statements before a notary public or a clerk of the probate court who is authorized to administer oaths. The notary or clerk certifies that the applicants personally appeared, were properly identified, and took the oath.

Where to Get the Form

The Georgia Marriage License Application is available through the Georgia Probate Records system at georgiaprobaterecords.com or directly from the Gwinnett County Probate Court. Many counties now offer an online pre-application portal where you can fill in your information before visiting the courthouse in person to swear the oath. Visit the Gwinnett County Probate Court marriage license page for current fees, hours, and appointment requirements.

Key Things to Remember

• Both applicants must appear in person at the probate court — no exceptions.
• Bring valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID).
• The marriage license is valid for the ceremony only in Georgia.
• If either applicant is 17, a premarital education course is required, and the older applicant can be no more than 4 years older.
• If you completed a premarital education course, bring your notarized certificate of completion — it may reduce the license fee.

Need this document notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.