by Jaimie Dee | Jan 14, 2023 | Atlanta Courthouse Wedding, elopement
Planning a wedding or elopement in Forsyth County? The first thing to understand is that obtaining a marriage license and having a legal wedding ceremony are separate steps.
Forsyth County Probate Court issues marriage licenses but does not currently conduct routine wedding ceremonies in its office. Couples must arrange their own authorized officiant and ceremony location unless the county announces a separate special ceremony event.
How to Apply for a Forsyth County Marriage License
Couples should begin by submitting an application through Forsyth County’s online marriage-license application system.
After submitting the application online, both applicants must appear at the Probate Court Clerk’s Office with:
- The online application confirmation number
- Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or identification card
- Information about the date and location of a previous divorce, when applicable
- An accepted method of payment
Forsyth County states that applicants who were previously divorced do not ordinarily need to bring the final divorce decree. However, they must provide the date of the final decree and the county and state where the divorce was finalized.
Applicants may complete the online form using a personal computer or mobile device. A limited number of public computer terminals are also available in the Probate Court Clerk’s Office.
Review the official Forsyth County marriage-license instructions before visiting.
Forsyth County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are issued at:
Forsyth County Probate Court
100 West Courthouse Square, Suite 008
Cumming, GA 30040
The Probate Court is open:
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Marriage-license applicants are asked to arrive by 4:00 PM to allow enough time to process the application.
Forsyth County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Forsyth County lists the marriage-license fee as:
- $56 without qualifying premarital counseling
- $16 with the court’s qualifying premarital-counseling certification
The official instructions state that payment may be made by cash, check, or credit/debit card. The card-processing company adds a 4.7% convenience fee to credit and debit card transactions.
Because fees and payment policies may change, review the county’s current marriage-license information before visiting.
Does Forsyth County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Forsyth County’s current marriage-license information states that the Probate Court does not conduct routine wedding ceremonies in its office. Couples may arrange for an authorized officiant to perform their ceremony elsewhere.
Forsyth County has offered special Valentine’s Day wedding events in previous years. For example, its 2025 event required:
- Forsyth County residency
- Advance registration
- A marriage license obtained before the event deadline
- An assigned ceremony appointment
- A valid photo ID
That event does not establish a year-round courthouse ceremony program. Do not assume that a similar event will be offered on your wedding date unless Forsyth County publishes a new announcement.
Guest and Photography Policies
Because Forsyth County Probate Court does not currently conduct routine in-office wedding ceremonies, it does not publish a guest limit for regular courthouse weddings.
The county’s previous Valentine’s Day event encouraged couples to bring family and guests, but it did not publish a numerical guest limit.
As of September 5, 2026, the official Probate Court information also does not publish a general policy covering:
- Professional wedding photography inside the courthouse
- Cameras or lighting equipment
- Photography during special wedding events
- Interior wedding portraits
Do not assume that professional photography will be permitted inside the courthouse or during a future special event. Photography plans should be based on the couple’s confirmed ceremony location and any access requirements published for that specific event.
Planning Your Forsyth County Wedding Photography
After receiving your marriage license, you can hold a brief legal ceremony with an authorized officiant at a private venue, home, outdoor setting, or another appropriate location.
Depending on your plans, your photography coverage may include:
- Rings, flowers, attire, and other details
- Your legal ceremony
- Family and guest photographs
- Portraits of the two of you
- Additional portraits at another selected location
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits before or after your legal ceremony, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
Considering another nearby courthouse option? Read our Cherokee County courthouse wedding guide or compare Georgia courthouse wedding options.
Ready to discuss your Forsyth County ceremony or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Forsyth County Probate Court’s official marriage-license, court, and special-event information.
by Jaimie Dee | Jan 14, 2023 | Atlanta Courthouse Wedding, elopement
Planning a simple wedding or elopement in Cherokee County? Before choosing your ceremony or photography location, it’s important to understand that obtaining a marriage license and having a legal wedding ceremony are separate steps.
Cherokee County Probate Court issues marriage licenses but does not perform marriage ceremonies. Couples must arrange their own authorized officiant and ceremony location.
Does Cherokee County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Cherokee County’s official instructions state that Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies. The court only issues the marriage license, and it is the couple’s responsibility to arrange an authorized officiant.
That means visiting Cherokee County Probate Court is the administrative license step—not an on-site courthouse wedding ceremony. Couples may hold their legal ceremony at a private venue, home, outdoor setting, or another appropriate location.
Review the official Cherokee County marriage-license instructions before planning your visit.
How to Apply for a Cherokee County Marriage License
Marriage-license applications are accepted on a walk-in basis from 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM, Monday through Friday.
The application must be completed and submitted to a clerk no later than 4:10 PM to be processed that day. The county recommends completing the application and gathering all required documentation before arriving.
Couples should:
- Download and complete the Cherokee County marriage-license application packet.
- Make sure both applicants have the required identification.
- Bring documentation showing how the most recent previous marriage ended, when applicable.
- Submit the completed application to a Probate Court clerk by 4:10 PM.
If both applicants live outside Georgia, the ceremony must take place in Cherokee County when the license is issued there.
Cherokee County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are issued at:
Cherokee County Probate Court90 North Street, Suite 340Canton, GA 30114
The Probate Court’s general hours are:
Monday–Friday8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Marriage-license applications have the earlier processing window of 8:30 AM–4:10 PM. Arriving before the application cutoff does not guarantee same-day processing if the application is incomplete, so prepare the required paperwork before visiting.
Cherokee County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Cherokee County lists the marriage-license fee as:
- $66 without qualifying premarital education
- $26 with a qualifying premarital-education certificate
The county also lists a separate $10 fee for a certified copy of the marriage-license application.
Payment may be made by cash or credit/debit card. A convenience fee applies to card transactions.
Fees and payment policies can change, so confirm the current amounts in the official marriage-license application packet.
Guest and Photography Policies
Because Cherokee County Probate Court does not conduct wedding ceremonies, it does not publish a courthouse-ceremony guest limit.
As of September 5, 2026, the county’s official Probate Court pages also do not publish a general policy for:
- Professional wedding photography inside the courthouse
- Camera or lighting equipment
- Interior wedding portraits
- Photography on courthouse grounds
Do not assume that a ceremony or professional photography will be permitted inside the courthouse. We’ll plan your photography around your confirmed ceremony location and spaces where photography access has been established.
Planning Your Cherokee County Wedding Photography
Your wedding can still be simple and meaningful without an on-site Probate Court ceremony. After receiving your marriage license, you can hold a brief ceremony with an authorized officiant at your selected venue or portrait location.
Depending on your plans, photography may include:
- Details such as rings, flowers, and attire
- Your legal ceremony
- Family and guest photographs
- Portraits of the two of you
- Additional photographs at another selected location
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits before or after your legal ceremony, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
If you specifically want a courthouse with a publicly confirmed on-site ceremony program, visit our Guide to Courthouse Weddings in Georgia.
You can also review the nearby Cobb County Courthouse wedding guide and Forsyth County Courthouse wedding guide.
Ready to discuss your Cherokee County wedding or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Cherokee County Probate Court’s official marriage-license and contact information.
by Jaimie Dee | Jan 14, 2023 | Atlanta Courthouse Wedding, elopement
Planning a simple wedding or elopement in Bartow County? Before finalizing your plans, it’s important to understand the difference between obtaining a marriage license and having a legal wedding ceremony.
Bartow County Probate Court issues marriage licenses, but it does not currently perform marriage ceremonies. Couples must arrange their own officiant and ceremony location. Your celebration can still be wonderfully simple, whether you plan a private civil ceremony, an intimate gathering, or portraits commemorating your marriage.
Does Bartow County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Bartow County’s official marriage-license instructions state that the Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies. Couples must select their own officiant and venue.
That means your visit to Probate Court is for the marriage-license process—not an on-site courthouse wedding ceremony. After receiving the license, you can plan a brief ceremony at a private venue, home, outdoor location, or another appropriate setting with an authorized officiant.
Review the official Bartow County marriage-license information before making your plans.
How to Apply for a Bartow County Marriage License
Bartow County requires couples to complete the marriage-license application online before visiting the Probate Court office.
The basic process includes:
Complete the online marriage-license application.
Save the confirmation number provided after completing the application.
Visit Bartow County Probate Court to finish the application process and pay the required fee.
Bring valid photo identification for each applicant.
Bring the most recent divorce decree or former spouse’s death certificate when applicable.
The official website does not state that a separate appointment is required after the online application. Follow the instructions provided with your confirmation number and review the county website for current notices before visiting.
Bartow County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are processed at:
Bartow County Probate CourtFrank Moore Administration and Judicial Center135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 243-ACartersville, GA 30120
The Probate Court’s general office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding recognized holidays. Marriage-license applicants may complete the in-person portion of the process between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
The Probate Court also publishes a notice that its offices close from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM on the first and second Thursday of each month for traffic arraignment. Review the Bartow County Probate Court website for current hours and closure notices.
Bartow County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Bartow County lists the marriage-license fee as $75. Couples who have completed at least six hours of qualifying premarital counseling may receive the reduced $35 fee by providing the required certificate.
The Probate Court accepts cash, money order, and credit or debit cards. A service charge applies to card payments.
Because fees can change, confirm the current amount on the official marriage-license page before visiting.
Guest and Photography Policies
Because Bartow County Probate Court does not conduct wedding ceremonies, it does not publish a courthouse-wedding guest limit.
As of September 5, 2026, the official county website also does not publish a general policy for professional wedding photography or camera equipment inside the courthouse. Do not assume that interior courthouse portraits are automatically permitted.
We can plan your photography around your selected ceremony venue and any locations where photography access has been confirmed.
Planning Photography for a Bartow County Wedding
Not having an on-site Probate Court ceremony does not mean your wedding needs to become complicated. You can obtain your marriage license through Bartow County and then hold a brief ceremony with your chosen officiant at another location.
If you’d like a historic setting in Cartersville, our guide to Rose Lawn Museum weddings in Cartersville shows the house, porch and grounds on a wedding day.
Depending on your plans, photography can include:
Details such as rings, flowers, and attire
Your private legal ceremony
Photographs with attending family and friends
Portraits of the two of you
A separate portrait location before or after the ceremony
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits to commemorate your marriage, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
If you specifically want a courthouse that performs on-site wedding ceremonies, compare the available processes in our Guide to Courthouse Weddings in Georgia.
Ready to discuss your Bartow County wedding or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, preferred location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Bartow County Probate Court’s official marriage-license and court information.
by Jaimie Dee | Jan 13, 2023 | Atlanta Courthouse Wedding, elopement
Planning a simple wedding or elopement in Douglas County? The Douglas County Probate Court issues marriage licenses, but obtaining the license and having a legal wedding ceremony are separate steps.
This guide explains the county’s current marriage-license process, what is publicly confirmed about courthouse ceremonies, and how to plan photography for your celebration.
How to Apply for a Douglas County Marriage License
Couples may begin the marriage-license application through Georgia’s online marriage application system. Completing the online form does not eliminate the in-person portion of the process.
Douglas County’s official instructions state that:
- No appointment is necessary.
- Both applicants must appear in person.
- Both applicants must provide valid photo identification.
- A certified final divorce decree is required when a previous marriage ended in divorce.
- A certified death certificate is required when a previous marriage ended because of a spouse’s death.
- An authorized officiant must perform the ceremony before the couple is legally married.
Review the official Douglas County marriage-license instructions before visiting the court.
Douglas County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are issued at:
Douglas County Probate Court8700 Hospital Drive3rd Floor, Judicial SideDouglasville, GA 30134
The Probate Court’s general office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage licenses are issued from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The official instructions state that applications will not be processed after 4:30 PM, so plan to arrive with enough time to complete the in-person process.
Douglas County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Douglas County lists the marriage-license fee as:
- $56 without qualifying premarital education
- $16 with proof of at least six hours of qualifying premarital education
Because fees and accepted payment methods can change, review the current information on the Douglas County marriage-license page before visiting.
Does Douglas County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Douglas County’s official marriage-license page explains that an officiant must perform the ceremony and that a list of officiants is available in the Probate Court office.
However, the official website does not clearly confirm a standing on-site courthouse wedding ceremony program or state that a Probate Court judge will be available to perform the ceremony.
Do not assume that receiving a marriage license includes or schedules a courthouse ceremony. Arrange an authorized officiant and confirm your ceremony location separately.
After the officiant signs and returns the completed license to Probate Court, the couple may purchase certified copies of the recorded marriage certificate.
Guest and Photography Policies
As of September 5, 2026, Douglas County’s official Probate Court information does not publish:
- A courthouse wedding guest limit
- An on-site ceremony schedule
- A ceremony appointment process
- A policy for professional wedding photography
- A policy for cameras or photography equipment inside the courthouse
Because an on-site ceremony service and interior photography access are not publicly confirmed, the page should not promise that couples can hold or photograph a wedding inside the courthouse.
We’ll plan photography around your confirmed ceremony location and any spaces where photography access has been established.
Planning Your Douglas County Wedding Photography
You can obtain your marriage license through Douglas County and then hold a brief ceremony with an authorized officiant at a private venue, home, outdoor location, or another appropriate setting.
Depending on your plans, photography may include:
- Details such as rings, flowers, and attire
- Your legal ceremony
- Family and guest photographs
- Portraits of the two of you
- Additional portraits at another selected location
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits before or after the legal ceremony, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
If you specifically want a courthouse with a publicly documented on-site ceremony program, visit our Guide to Courthouse Weddings in Georgia.
You can also review the nearby Cobb County Courthouse wedding guide and Fulton County Courthouse wedding guide.
Ready to discuss your Douglas County wedding or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Douglas County Probate Court’s official marriage-license and court information.
by Jaimie Dee | Jan 13, 2023 | Atlanta Courthouse Wedding, elopement
Planning a simple wedding or elopement in Paulding County? The Paulding County Probate Court can issue your marriage license, but obtaining a license and having a legal wedding ceremony are two separate parts of the process.
This guide explains the marriage-license information Paulding County currently publishes, what is not publicly confirmed about courthouse ceremonies, and how to plan photography for your celebration.
How to Apply for a Paulding County Marriage License
Paulding County Probate Court issues marriage licenses. Completing the online marriage-license application before visiting is recommended but not mandatory.
Both applicants should appear together and bring the required identification and documentation. Paulding County lists a driver’s license or passport as acceptable identification.
If either applicant was previously married, the court requires:
- A copy of the former spouse’s death certificate when applicable, or
- A copy of the most recent final divorce decree signed by the judge
Georgia does not require a blood test to obtain a marriage license.
Review the official Paulding County marriage-license information before visiting the court.
Paulding County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are issued at:
Paulding County Probate Court280 Constitution Boulevard, Room 2009Dallas, GA 30132
The Probate Court’s published hours are:
Monday–Friday8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The official marriage-license page does not state that an appointment is required. If you complete the application online, tell the clerk when you arrive at the office.
Paulding County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Paulding County lists the marriage-license fee as:
- $56 without proof of premarital counseling
- $16 with proof of at least six hours of qualifying premarital counseling
The premarital counseling certificate must be presented when applying for the license.
The court accepts cash, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard. Personal checks are not accepted, and a processing fee applies to debit or credit card payments.
Because fees and payment policies can change, confirm the current information on the Paulding County marriage-license page before visiting.
Does Paulding County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Paulding County’s official website clearly explains how to obtain a marriage license, but it does not currently publish information confirming a standing courthouse wedding ceremony service.
Do not assume that receiving a marriage license means a ceremony is included or scheduled. Couples may need to arrange their own authorized officiant and ceremony location.
After the ceremony, the person who performs it sends the original completed marriage license to Probate Court for recording. Paulding County advises that it may take approximately 10 days after receiving the completed license before certified copies are available.
Guest and Photography Policies
As of September 5, 2026, Paulding County’s official Probate Court website does not publish:
- A courthouse wedding guest limit
- A reservation or walk-in ceremony process
- A policy for professional wedding photographers
- A camera or photography-equipment policy
- A confirmed indoor courthouse portrait policy
Because a standing courthouse ceremony service is not publicly confirmed, the page should not promise that a ceremony or professional photography will be permitted inside the courthouse.
We’ll plan your photography around your confirmed ceremony location and any locations where photography access has been established.
Planning Your Paulding County Wedding Photography
Your wedding can still be simple and meaningful even if your legal ceremony does not take place inside the courthouse. You can obtain your marriage license through Paulding County and plan a brief ceremony with an authorized officiant at a private venue, home, outdoor setting, or another appropriate location.
Depending on your plans, photography may include:
- Details such as rings, flowers, and attire
- Your legal ceremony
- Photographs with family and friends
- Portraits of the two of you
- Additional portraits at another selected location
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits before or after the legal ceremony, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
If you are specifically looking for a court with a publicly confirmed on-site ceremony program, visit our Guide to Courthouse Weddings in Georgia to compare other locations and procedures.
Ready to discuss your Paulding County wedding or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, preferred location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Paulding County Probate Court’s official marriage-license and court information.
