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Not a Vegas Quickie — What You Actually Need to Get Married in Savannah, GA

Making it official in Savannah

takes a bit of pre-planning. Since Chatham County requires an appointment with the Probate Court and will turn walk-ins away, this isn’t your Vegas quickie wedding destination. 

Here is the quick 3-step process to get your license at the courthouse on Montgomery Street:

01.
Go Online

Fill out and submit the online marriage license application form ahead of time.

02.
Schedule

your in-person licensing appointment (both of you must attend).

03.
Your Appointment

Head to Room 509 at the courthouse with your current IDs, passports, or any necessary historical documents (like sealed divorce decrees) in hand.

The Cost & Payment Rules (Don’t get stuck at the counter!):

Standard Fee: $76.00  (this includes one certified copy of your marriage certificate).

The Discount: If you complete a qualifying premarital education program (at least 6 hours of instruction) and bring the signed/dated certificate of completion, the fee drops to $36.00.

How to Pay: They accept credit/debit cards (with a 5% service fee), cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks in the exact amount. They do not accept personal checks. All fees are nonrefundable.

FYI to out-of-state couples:

If neither of you is a resident of Georgia, you will need to apply for your license in the exact county where your ceremony is taking place. You can find all the forms and booking links directly on the [Chatham County Marriage License Portal].

Crucial Paperwork Checklist (Don’t skip this part!) 

Previous Marriages: If either partner has been divorced, Chatham County requires a final, stamped and sealed copy of the most recent decree. To avoid getting your hand figuratively slapped, don’t try to skate by with a photocopy or a scan on your phone. 
International Documents: If any of your legal documentation is in a language other than English, they must be officially translated by a certified translator. Apparently Google translator will not get the job done. 


For the complete, nitty-gritty legal text and to double-check your ID types, head straight over to the official  [Chatham County Marriage License Portal]

Now that you have the legalities out of the way.

Let’s talk about planning something small in one of Savannah’s iconic public spaces.

The “No Permit Needed” Loophole

The Rule: If the wedding has fewer than 50 people and requires zero setup (no chairs, arches, aisle runners, or tables), a permit is not required.


The Catch: Public spaces are entirely first-come, first-served. You cannot ask tourists to move, and you have to share the space with the natural hustle and bustle of the city (like street performers or tours)

The Pro-Tip: You can check the city’s public Special Events Calendar ahead of time to make sure a massive festival or a permitted wedding hasn’t already claimed the square for that afternoon.

The Upside: Once your paperwork is squared away with the Probate Clerk, the ceremony itself doesn’t have to come with red tape. A small, simple ceremony in one of Savannah’s squares doesn’t require a permit or a fee — just your license, your two signatures, and somewhere beautiful to stand. 

When a Permit IS Required

The Trigger: Any event with 50 or more guests, OR any event that involves physical setup (even just a few chairs for grandparents, a small table, or a floral arch) strictly requires a permit.

What it Guarantees: A permit legally secures your specific zone just for you. While there will be tourists and locals walking by on the surrounding sidewalks, the permit gives you the right to clear out your designated ceremony area.

The Safety Catch: When you get a public property permit, the city requires you to hire an off-duty Savannah Police Officer for security for the duration of the event. When you apply for this permit, hiring the mandatory off-duty officer is handled directly through the city’s permitting system.

  • Hourly Rates: Standard extra-duty officer rates are $50.00 per hour, while holiday rates increase to $55.00 per hour plus a $1 to $6 admin fee per hour. With a minimum of 4 hours
  • Cancellations: If your plans change, you must notify the scheduled officer directly at least 24 hours in advance to avoid paying the minimum fee (reduced to 4 hours notice for severe weather). For more information [Savannah Police Department website]
The Timeline & The Costs

How Early to Apply: You can apply up to one year in advance, starting at 12:01 AM on the first day of the month. (e.g., if they want an October 2027 date, you can apply October 1st, 2026).  
The Fee Schedule:  
There is a non-refundable $30 application fee.  Permits require a 4-hour minimum rental.  
Local Residents: $350 flat rate (year-round).  
Non-Residents (Peak Season): $725 (March, April, May, September, October, November).  
Non-Residents (Off-Peak): $557.50 / $575 (January, February, June, July, August, December). 

Who can officiate your Ceremony?

Georgia definitely isn’t a self solemnized state, but they don’t restrict who can perform your ceremony too much.

Religious Leaders: If you identify with a specific religion you have options in Savannah, any ordained minister, priest, rabbi, or pastor. 
Online Ordained Ministers: Georgia fully recognizes online ordinations. You want your cousin or best friend to be part of the wedding without being in the wedding party, they can quickly become an ordained minister through organizations like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries to legally perform your ceremony. 
Judicial Officials: Active or retired judges (including state, federal, and probate court judges), magistrates, and city recorders 
State Officials: The Governor or any former Governor of Georgia. (good luck with this one, seems like a bit of a stretch.)


Things your officiant might want to know, especially if they are getting ordained online

There is no State Registration necessary, meaning they don’t need to submit their credentials to a government office or clerk before the wedding.

They don’t need to live in the state of Georgia to become ordained here.

They do need to keep those credentials handy in case they are asked for them. The local probate court clerk can and might ask for proof of ordination when a license is returned. 

Legal responsibilities of you officiant is to obtain the physical marriage license from the couple at the ceremony, verify their mutual consent, complete and sign the officiant section, and ultimately return the license to the issuing probate court with 30 days.

The “March” Warning

The annual block-out dates in March for St Paddy’s Day Celebration. The Forsyth Park Fountain is dyed green at the beginning of March and stays green until after the festivities wrap up. If you like the idea of a green fountain and crowds, March is your month to get married in Savannah. If not and you still want to escape the potential high temps, February, April and May are still amazing months to spend time here in Savannah. 

You can look at the current fee schedules, check block-out dates, and submit your paperwork directly through the [City of Savannah Wedding Portal].

Engagement Sessions

Still planning your engagement session? If you want a setting with a bit more privacy, texture, or a modern edge, check out my guide to Unconventional Savannah Engagement Locations—where we trade the fountain crowds for local coffee shops, breweries, and hidden gardens.

Beyond the Fountain

Tell me more about your vision

Once you’ve got your date locked in (permit or not), the fun part starts — figuring out how you actually want it documented. If you’re picturing something that feels like you instead of a checklist, let’s talk about your date and start planning what that looks like together.

Let’s Talk

Looking for more?