Gwinnett County issues marriage licenses through the Probate Court, not a clerk’s office — the standard arrangement in Georgia. Applications are accepted on a walk-in basis.
| License fee | $56, reduced to $16 with proof of completing a state-approved premarital education course. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None — Georgia has no statewide waiting period; the license is valid the day it’s issued. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid photo ID for both applicants. Applicants must be at least 18, of sound mind, and have no living spouse from a prior undissolved marriage. |
| License validity | No expiration date (Georgia statewide rule) — the license can be held until you’re ready to marry. |
| Where & how to apply | Apply together, in person, at the Probate Court’s Vital Records office in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Walk-ins are accepted; arrive before 10:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. to be seen the same day. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an appointment to apply in Gwinnett County?
No. The Probate Court accepts walk-in applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, but arriving after 10:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. may mean you aren’t served the same day.
Does a Gwinnett County marriage license expire?
No. Georgia marriage licenses have no expiration date, so you can apply well ahead of your ceremony date.
How to get a marriage license in Gwinnett County, step by step
- If you want the discounted fee, complete a state-approved premarital education course first. Georgia law requires at least 6 hours of instruction covering conflict management, communication, finances, parenting, and extended-family roles, taught by a licensed counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active or retired clergy. Get a signed certificate from the provider.
- Go together, in person, to the Probate Court’s Vital Records office in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. Applications are walk-in only — there is no appointment option.
- Arrive before 10:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. if you want to be served the same day; the court processes applications in two blocks, roughly 8:00–11:00 a.m. and 12:00–4:00 p.m.
- Show valid photo ID for both applicants and pay $56, or $16 with your premarital course certificate.
- Marry whenever you’re ready — Georgia licenses don’t expire.
What to bring to the Gwinnett County office
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants
- Your premarital education certificate, if you completed one, to get the $16 rate instead of $56
- $56 (or $16 with the course certificate), by cash, credit card, personal check, or money order
- If either of you was previously married, proof that marriage ended (divorce decree or death certificate)
When to apply for your Gwinnett County license
Georgia has no waiting period and the license never expires in most counties, including Gwinnett, so there’s no deadline pressure either way. You can apply months or even years ahead of your ceremony and the license will still be valid, or apply the same week you plan to marry — the timing is entirely up to you.
After the ceremony: filing your Gwinnett County license and getting certified copies
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 19-3-30) puts the filing duty on the officiant, not the couple: whoever performed the ceremony must return the signed license and certificate of marriage to the Probate Court within 30 days. After that, certified copies cost $10 each and can be requested in person or by mail with the Probate Court’s Marriage Certificate Request form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order. (Filing rules checked October 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in Gwinnett County
$10 for the first certified copy (same price for each copy)
| Issued by | Gwinnett County Probate Court, Vital Records Division |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $10 per certified copy. |
| How to order | By mail with the Marriage Certificate Request form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order (75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville). |
| Timing | Can be requested once the court has received the original license. |
| Heads up | Some of the fee documents are several years old; check with the court (770-822-8350) before mailing. |
Source: Gwinnett Probate Court - Marriage Licenses and Certificates · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for Gwinnett County
- Since the license never expires, there’s no reason to delay applying if you’re worried about a busy schedule closer to your wedding date.
- Parking at the Justice and Administration Center is available in the main lot on Langley Drive or the parking deck at Constitution Boulevard and Nash Street; there’s also an overflow lot on Nash Street if those fill up.
- Remind your officiant about the 30-day filing deadline — it’s their legal responsibility to return the license, not yours, but a late return will delay your certified copies.
More questions about getting married in Gwinnett County
Who has to file our marriage license after the ceremony in Gwinnett County?
The officiant, not the couple. Georgia law requires whoever performed the ceremony to return the signed license to the Probate Court within 30 days.
What qualifies for the discounted $16 marriage license fee in Gwinnett County?
A certificate from a state-approved premarital education course of at least 6 hours, taught by a licensed counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active or retired clergy.
How do we get a certified copy of our Gwinnett County marriage certificate?
In person at the Probate Court, or by mail using the Marriage Certificate Request form with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for $10.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: September 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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