How Georgia''s Premarital Education Discount Works
Georgia offers a marriage license fee reduction for couples who complete a qualifying premarital education program. Under Georgia Code § 19-3-30.1, couples who complete at least 6 hours of premarital education can reduce their marriage license fee.
Requirements
To qualify:
- Complete at least 6 hours of premarital education from a qualified provider
- The program must cover topics including communication skills, conflict management, and financial responsibilities
- Obtain a certificate of completion from your provider
- Present the certificate when applying for your marriage license at the probate court
Who Can Provide the Education?
Georgia accepts premarital education from:
- Licensed professional counselors (LPC)
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed psychologists
- Ordained clergy members
- Other qualified providers approved by the court
If you''re doing premarital counseling with your pastor, those sessions likely qualify — just confirm with your county''s probate court and make sure your provider can issue a certificate.
What the 6-Hour Program Covers
Georgia requires programs to address:
- Communication skills — active listening, expressing needs, and avoiding destructive patterns
- Conflict resolution — strategies for handling disagreements constructively
- Financial management — budgeting, debt, savings, and shared financial decision-making
- Parenting — approaches to child-rearing and family planning
- Extended family and in-law dynamics
Many providers also cover intimacy, spiritual compatibility, and life goals. Programs like PREPARE/ENRICH or Gottman Method premarital counseling easily meet the 6-hour requirement and provide far more depth than the minimum.
Step-by-Step: How to Get the Discount
- Find a qualified provider. Browse Georgia premarital counselors →
- Complete 6 hours of premarital education — in-person, online, or through your church
- Receive your certificate of completion
- Apply for your marriage license at your county''s probate court. Both partners must be present with valid ID.
- Present your certificate and pay the reduced fee
- Georgia has no waiting period — your license is valid immediately
Georgia Marriage License Fees
Georgia marriage license fees vary by county but typically range from $40–$80 without the discount. The reduction amount also varies by county. Check with your specific probate court for current fees and discount amounts.
Is It Worth Going Beyond the Minimum?
The 6-hour minimum gets you the discount, but research shows that more thorough preparation leads to better outcomes. Couples who complete 8+ hours of structured premarital counseling report higher satisfaction and lower conflict in their first years of marriage.
Consider using the state requirement as a starting point and continuing with:
- A structured assessment like PREPARE/ENRICH or SYMBIS
- Additional sessions with your counselor to go deeper on areas the assessment flags
- At-home exercises to practice skills between sessions
Major Georgia Cities With Premarital Counselors
- Atlanta premarital counselors →
- Savannah premarital counselors →
- Augusta premarital counselors →
- Columbus premarital counselors →
- Macon premarital counselors →