Crystal Wright | September 4, 2026 | Family Law
Georgia generally requires a person to be at least 18 years old to marry. However, state law provides a limited exception that allows certain emancipated 17-year-olds to obtain a marriage license if they satisfy additional requirements.
Georgia changed its marriage-age laws in 2019, raising the absolute minimum age and adding protections for 17-year-olds who want to marry. Understanding these requirements is important because parental consent alone does not allow a minor to marry in Georgia.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, a person generally must be at least 18 years old to contract marriage in Georgia. An adult who otherwise meets Georgia’s requirements for marriage does not need parental consent based on age.
The primary age-related exception applies to certain 17-year-olds who have been emancipated and satisfy additional statutory requirements. No marriage license may be issued in Georgia to a person who is under 17 years old.
Age is not the only requirement for a valid marriage. Couples must also follow Georgia’s rules for legally entering a marriage. Georgia no longer permits couples to create a new common law marriage, so simply living together and presenting yourselves as married does not create a new legal marriage in the state.
Can an Emancipated 17-Year-Old Get Married in Georgia?
Georgia allows a person who is 17 years old to marry only if the state’s additional requirements are satisfied. The 17-year-old must provide documentary proof of emancipation by operation of law or through the applicable court process. Parental consent by itself is not enough.
Several additional conditions apply:
- At least 15 days must have passed since the emancipation took effect
- The older person cannot be more than four years older than the younger person
- Each 17-year-old entering the marriage must provide a certificate showing completion of the required premarital education
- The premarital education must satisfy Georgia’s statutory requirements
Georgia law requires at least six hours of premarital education covering marital issues. The program must be completed within 12 months before applying for a marriage license, and other requirements apply to how the education is provided.
Can Someone Under 17 Get Married in Georgia?
No Georgia marriage license may be issued to a person who is under 17 years old. The 2019 changes to Georgia law raised the minimum age from 16 to 17 and created additional requirements for 17-year-olds who want to marry.
Parental consent alone does not allow someone under the minimum age to obtain a marriage license. A person who is 17 must meet the emancipation and other requirements established by Georgia law before a license can be issued.
Questions about whether a marriage was legally valid can have consequences later. Depending on the circumstances, someone who believes a marriage was invalid from the beginning may need to explore whether getting a marriage annulled in Georgia is an option.
Why Does Emancipation Matter for a 17-Year-Old?
Emancipation generally gives a minor certain legal rights and responsibilities that would otherwise belong to a parent or guardian. For purposes of Georgia’s marriage laws, emancipation is a required step for a 17-year-old who wants to obtain a marriage license.
However, emancipation alone does not automatically make a 17-year-old eligible to marry. The person must also satisfy the waiting period, age-difference, premarital education, and other applicable requirements. These protections are intended to ensure that a 17-year-old seeking to marry meets the conditions established by Georgia law.
Contact the Atlanta Family Attorneys at Crystal Wright Law, LLC for Help Today
Georgia’s marriage laws generally require a person to be 18, but certain emancipated 17-year-olds may marry if they satisfy the state’s additional requirements. Questions about marriage, marital status, and other family law matters can become more complicated when unusual circumstances are involved.
Crystal Wright Law, LLC helps clients understand their rights and options under Georgia family law. Our legal team can review your circumstances, explain how the law may apply, and help you determine your next steps.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an Atlanta family lawyer.
We have offices in Atlanta and Lawrenceville, Georgia.
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