Whether it’s a city ceremony or a celebration wrapped in southern hospitality, Georgia is the perfect place for an elopement. From Atlanta to Savannah – there’s something for every couple. So, you’ve decided to host your ceremony in the Peach State. Amazing! Now the question lies – how the heck do you elope in Georgia?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether that be through an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional ceremony – are different from state to state. With all the local intricacies – it can feel overwhelming and confusing. With some planning and a little bit of help (read: us,) going through your marriage process can be made simple and stress free. Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license in Georgia
• How many witnesses are required for your Georgia ceremony
• All inclusive Georgia elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Georgia on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is an incredibly important step in getting you down the aisle. This is because to get married in Georgia, you legally need a marriage license. To obtain that, you’ll need to fill out your application ahead of time and make an appointment at the marriage licensing office at the probate court in the county you’re getting married. For those hoping for a destination elopement, you’re in luck! You do not need to be a resident of Georgia to get a Georgia marriage license. If one member of the couple is a Georgia resident, a marriage license can be applied for in any county in the state. If neither member of the couple is a Georgia resident, your marriage license application must be filed in the county where the ceremony will take place. Regardless of residency status, both of you need to be present for your marriage license appointment. Both of you need to bring:

• Current drivers licenses, state IDs or passports.
• Certified copies of your birth certificates (in some counties – check for yours specifically.)
• Statuses of previous marriage, if applicable. This can be done through divorce decree or certificate of death.
• About $80.00 for fees. There’s a marriage license fee of about $70.00, though the exact amount will change per county. This fee is reduced by $40.00 if you provide the court with proof of completion of a qualifying premarital education program. Each additional copy of your marriage certificate is $10.00, we recommend at least two.

Please note that applicants must be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license without parental consent. Both parties will need to appear at the marriage licensing office for your marriage license appointment in order to sign the document at the probate court. Please note that marriage license requirements change per county, so keep your particular county’s requirements in mind when preparing for your appointment.

Once you’ve completed your marriage license application and gone to your appointment at the probate court, you’re good to tie the knot! There is no waiting period in Georgia between your marriage license application and when you can get married.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant

It is a requirement in the state of Georgia that an officiant perform your elopement ceremony. Georgia considers an officiant to be any minister authorized by their church, or, anyone who is ordained by the state. They will review your marriage license before your ceremony and sign it afterwards to confirm you’re married. So it’s very important you bring your marriage license with you to your ceremony! Simply Eloped is more than happy to coordinate you with a local, professional officiant.

Are Witnesses Required for a Georgia Elopement?

Witnesses in Georgia are a bit tricky, and can depend on the county in which you’re eloping. As stated previously, in Georgia, an officiant is any minister authorized by their church, or anyone ordained by the state. In these instances where you are being married by a minister, two witnesses are required – one of these can be your officiant. However, if you are being married by someone who is ordained by the state, no witnesses are required. All Simply Eloped professional officiants are ordained by the state and no witnesses are required for our Georgia elopements. 

All Inclusive Georgia Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Georgia elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in Georgia. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Georgia elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Georgia

Let’s talk about venues! Here are our top booked venues in the state of Georgia, with all of their details.

Forsyth Park

Forsyth Park is one of Savannah’s most iconic venues. With its Spanish moss covered trees, beautiful fountains and southern charm – this park is uniquely Savannah. This venue is perfect for those seeking an elopement or micro wedding of 45 guests or less. However, it should be noted that no permit is required for ceremonies of 40 or fewer without chairs. This is a public park, so bear in mind that it is not exceptionally private. If you’re seeking more privacy by excluding the public from the park, or would like privacy guaranteed – a special event permit is required. There is also a three hour reservation limit with a permit.  If a permit is required for your ceremony, you are responsible for the application. There is a bathroom available at Forsyth Park, parking is available (though challenging,) and it is wheelchair accessible. 

Forsyth Park allows chairs (with a permit,) music (not amplified,) alcohol, food, and pets. Alcohol and food have certain limits. Savannah is an open container, so guests can bring their own cups with champagne, beer, or wine without a permit. However, no glass is permitted. Food, while allowed, requires a permit.

Tybee Island

Tybee Island is the perfect location for those looking for a Savannah elopement on the coast. This venue is perfect for those looking for a beachside ceremony with up to 40 guests. This venue requires a permit, which we will apply for on your behalf. Tybee Island is wheelchair accessible and a fair amount of parking is available.

Tybee Island welcomes chairs and decor (structures smaller than 10×10,) music, and only allows real, non-dyed flower petals. Please note that alcohol, pets, candles, sparklers, open flames, and glass are not permitted. There is also no bathroom available, so please plan accordingly. Additionally, ceremonies are not permitted at the Lighthouse, on the rock jetties or sand dunes.

Pulaski Square

Pulaski Square is a beautiful square in the very heart of Savannah. Exchange vows under the Spanish moss covered oak trees, surrounded by history and 45 loved ones. Please note that the couple is responsible for booking this venue, and reservations must be made at least 90 days in advance. Pulaski Square is wheelchair accessible, is not bathroom accessible and while parking is available, it’s a challenge. Savannah is a very walkable city, so we’d recommend parking elsewhere and walking to the venue. 

Pulaski Square welcomes chairs and decor with private reservations only, along with music. However, alcohol, drones, pets, candles, sparklers, flower petals and confetti are not permitted. 

Chippewa Square

Chippewa Square, famous for its role in Forrest Gump, is a Savannah staple. This beautiful park is centrally located in downtown Savannah – mere steps away from the Savannah Theater and Bull Street. Though able to host up to 45, we recommend no more than 20 at this venue. Please note that permits are required for events over 40 people, which the couple is responsible for coordinating.

Chippewa Square allows chairs and decor with permit, as well as music. Music, pets, drones, candles, sparklers, confetti, rice and glitter are not permitted. This venue does not have a bathroom available, is wheelchair accessible, and while parking is available – can be challenging. 

Chande Pines

Chande Pines is a 50 acre pine grove just outside of Savannah. If you’re looking for a lush forest, quiet paths, and an intimate ceremony with 20 of your closest loved ones – Chande Pines is for you. A permit is required for Chande Pines, which the couple is responsible for coordinating. This permit allows for one hour at the venue. 

Chande Pines welcomes chairs for an additional fee, as well as streaming. Music, alcohol, drones, pets, and candles are not permitted. Please also note that this venue is not wheelchair accessible and there is no bathroom available. 

Getting your Marriage Certificate

Getting your marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will declare the last name you’d like to use after you’re married, and pay for the amount of certificates you’d like to receive. From there – they will be mailed directly to you. 

How to Change your Last Name in Georgia

1. Confirm your name as you declared it to be on your marriage license: Changed your last name to your married name on your marriage license? That’s the first step. This does not legally change your name, but it gets the process started. From there, you’ll still need to complete the name changing process. However, by confirming your name as you’d like it to appear on your marriage license, you’ll avoid having to appear in court to petition for a name change. 
2. Petition for a name change: If you did not write your name as declared post wedding on your marriage license, you’ll have to petition for it. To do so, you’ll get in touch with your local Georgia superior court and explain why you’d like to change your name. You’ll then need to wait at least 30 days before a hearing. After the court approves your name change request, you can update your name on your other government documents. If you did change your name on your marriage license, your marriage certificate is your legal name change document and you do not need to apply again through the county’s Superior Court.
3. Change your name on your Social Security Card: this requires filing an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You will fill out the proper application, make an appointment at your local social security office and bring your current forms of identification (drivers license, passport, birth certificate) and your name change document (marriage certificate or otherwise) with you. Look to your local social security office for additional guidance on what to bring to your appointment. Once your application is approved and the fees are paid, you’ll receive a new social security card with your new legal name by mail. 
4. Change your name on your license: Once you have received your new passport, you’re ready to update your driver’s license. To do so, you’ll visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services customer service center within 60 days of legally changing your name. You can fill out the application online, or fill it out in person. At your appointment, you’ll need to bring:
   • Proof of name change (marriage license or court order)
   • Current driver’s license
   • Proof of any other previous name changes, including divorce decrees

Needs may vary based on the DDS you go to, so be sure to check with your local DDS for any additional needs. Once you have gone to your appointment and paid the residual fees, you’ll receive a paper driver’s license with a hard copy to follow in the mail.

1. Change your name on your passport: After you’ve received your new social security card, which can take several weeks, you’re ready to change your name on your passport. The forms you will need to do so are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
   • Your current passport
   • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
   • A new color passport photo
   • Payment and other fees in the form of a check

Depending on your passport needs, you will either be able to submit everything by mail, or need to submit your documents in person. After submitting, a new passport will take several weeks to arrive. You’ll be able to track the progress of your application and passport online.

Once you’ve finished these five steps, the legal name change process is complete! Other name change items to consider at this point are things like car titles, insurance (health, car, renters,) employers, credit cards and more. While a rather lengthy process, it is digestible if you just take it step by step.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialists in January 2026.

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.