If you’re wondering how many times can you get married in Georgia, the short answer is as many times as you want. Truly. There is no "three strikes and you're out" rule in the Peach State. You could get married every weekend for a year if you really had the stamina for that many receptions.
But wait.
While the state doesn't put a cap on your romantic optimism, they are sticklers for the paperwork. You can't just keep stacking spouses like a deck of cards. Georgia law is very clear about the "one at a time" rule. Bigamy is a felony here under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-20. So, while the total number of marriages in your lifetime is unlimited, the number of simultaneous marriages must be exactly one.
People often get confused because they hear rumors about "serial marriage" laws or restrictions on how quickly you can jump back into the fray. Georgia is actually one of the more relaxed states in this regard. There’s no mandatory waiting period after a divorce is finalized before you can get a new license. If your divorce decree is signed at 9:00 AM, you can technically be at the probate court by 10:00 AM asking for a new license.
It sounds wild, right? It kind of is.
The Paperwork Trail That Never Ends
Every time you decide to tie the knot, you have to head back to the Probate Court. This is where the reality of multiple marriages hits your wallet and your schedule. Each new marriage requires a brand-new application. You can't "renew" an old license or just cross out the previous name.
When you go to apply for that third, fourth, or tenth marriage license, the clerk is going to ask for proof that you aren’t currently married. This is the part people usually mess up. Georgia requires "dissolution of previous marriage" documentation. If you’ve been married before, you must provide the date of the divorce or the date of your previous spouse's death.
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In some counties, like Fulton or Gwinnett, they might be more relaxed and just take your word for it on the application, but many judges or clerks will demand to see the actual final divorce decree. Specifically, they want to see the judge's signature and the "filed" stamp from the clerk of the court. If you show up with just a "memo of agreement," you’re going home empty-handed.
Actually, it’s worth noting that Georgia doesn’t even have a "waiting period" for the license itself. Some states make you wait three days after getting the license before you can have the ceremony. Georgia says if you have the paper, you can say "I do" the same second.
The Mystery of the "Multiple Marriage" Tax
There's a weird myth floating around that Georgia charges you more for a marriage license if you've been married before. That’s flat-out false. The fee is generally the same regardless of your "score" on the marriage leaderboard.
Currently, a marriage license in Georgia costs around $77.50 in most counties. However, if you and your partner-to-be complete a qualifying premarital education program (at least six hours of counseling), that fee drops significantly—usually down to about $17.50. The state actually wants you to succeed, even if it’s your fifth try. They figure if you're willing to sit through six hours of "how to not annoy each other," you deserve a $60 discount.
Does the court judge you? Honestly, the clerks have seen everything. They aren't there to moralize; they are there to file. If you have the ID, the divorce decree, and the cash, you’re good to go.
Why People Think There is a Limit
Why do people keep asking how many times can you get married in Georgia? Usually, it's because of old-school "Heart Balm" laws or lingering ideas about "Alienation of Affection." Some states used to have "Prohibited Degree of Relationship" laws that got convoluted, or they had restrictions on how many times a person could be the "plaintiff" in a divorce.
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Georgia doesn't care about that anymore. Since 1973, Georgia has been a "no-fault" divorce state. This changed the game. Because it's easier to get out of a marriage, the state essentially gave up on trying to limit how many times you get into one. The only real "limits" are the ones involving blood relatives. You can't marry your parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, or even your first cousin in some contexts (though Georgia law on first cousins is actually more permissive than people think—O.C.G.A. § 19-3-3 doesn't explicitly list first cousins as prohibited, whereas many other states do).
Common Roadblocks for the "Serial Groom or Bride"
If you are going for a high number of marriages, there are three things that will actually stop you:
- The "Finality" Problem: You might think you're divorced, but the judge hasn't signed the "Final Judgment and Decree." If you get married before that signature is dry, your new marriage is void. Not "voidable"—void. It means it never existed in the eyes of the law.
- Identification Issues: If you've changed your name four times through four different marriages, your paper trail needs to be impeccable. Your birth certificate, social security card, and driver's license should ideally align, or you need the name change orders to bridge the gaps.
- The Capacity Clause: Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, you must be "of sound mind." If someone has been married 15 times in three years, a particularly observant probate judge might pause to ensure the person has the mental capacity to enter into a contract. Marriage is, after all, a legal contract.
The Impact on Alimony and Social Security
Here is where the "number" of marriages actually starts to matter. It's not about the law saying "no," it's about the financial consequences.
If you were receiving alimony from Marriage #2, and you jump into Marriage #3, that alimony usually stops the moment you say "I do." Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-5) typically terminates alimony upon remarriage unless your divorce decree specifically says otherwise.
Social Security is even trickier. If you are a widow or widower receiving benefits based on a late spouse's record, remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) generally means you lose those benefits. If you've been married multiple times, you can sometimes choose which ex-spouse's record to draw from—provided those marriages lasted at least 10 years each.
So, while the state of Georgia doesn't limit your marriages, the federal government and your ex-spouse's lawyer certainly might make you pay for them.
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Legal Requirements Recap
If you’re heading to the courthouse for the third or fourth time, keep this checklist in your pocket. It’ll save you a wasted trip to the downtown probate office.
- Valid ID: Driver's license, passport, or military ID.
- Divorce Decree: The final one. Not the "settlement agreement." The one with the judge's signature.
- Fees: Bring $80 just to be safe, unless you did the counseling.
- Social Security Numbers: You don't usually need the card, but you must know the number.
- No Blood Relations: You can't be more closely related than the law allows.
Georgia is a "one-stop shop." You apply for the license in any county if one of you is a Georgia resident. If neither of you lives in Georgia, you must apply in the specific county where the ceremony will take place. This is a common trap for out-of-state couples coming to Savannah or the Blue Ridge mountains for a "destination" wedding.
Final Practical Reality
Legally, you are free. Georgia loves a wedding. But practically? The more times you marry, the more complex your "estate" becomes. If you die without a will in Georgia, the laws of "intestate succession" kick in. Your current spouse and all your children from those various marriages will be fighting over your assets in probate court.
The state doesn't limit your heart, but it does expect you to clean up your legal mess every time you move on.
Next Steps for the Hopeful Romantic:
- Verify your status: Call the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your last divorce was filed. Ask for a "certified copy" of your Final Judgment and Decree. Don't assume it was finalized just because your lawyer said "it’s done."
- Check the county rules: While state law is uniform, some Georgia counties (like Cobb or DeKalb) prefer you to start your application online before showing up in person.
- Handle the name change: If your name has changed multiple times, contact the Social Security Administration first. Correcting your name with them makes the marriage license process at the Probate Court much smoother.