NOTICE OF CHANGE IN FEES

FOR MARRIAGE LICENSES

Effective July 1, 2005, there will be a change in the fees for applications for marriage licenses in the State of Georgia. Pursuant to House Bill 378, the application fee was raised from $10.00 to $35.00 unless the couple seeking the license have completed a qualifying premarital education program*, as defined by the Bill. Upon presentation of a certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program in accordance with the Bill, there will be no fee for the application. This Bill waives only the application fee and not other fees and costs which may apply under Georgia law. Therefore, of July 1, 2005, there will be two sets of fees for marriage license applications, as follows:

                                    Without Certification of                                              With Certification of

Premarital Counseling                                                            Premarital Counseling

Application Fee:                                    $35.00                                                  $ 0

Vital Records Recording Fee:                 $ 1.00                                                   $ 1.00

Children’s Trust Fund Fee:                     $ 15.00                                                 $ 15.00

Certified Copy of Marriage

Certificate:                                            $ 10.00                                                 $ 10.00

TOTAL FEE:                                     $ 61.00                                                            $ 26.00

Fee for each parent letter

when required                                       $ 1.00                                                   $ 1.00

Certified Copy of Marriage

Application for Social Security

Administration                                       $ 5.00                                                   $ 5.00

*Under House Bill 378, a “qualifying premarital education program” shall include at least six hours of “instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended facility roles.” The program must have been completed within twelve months prior to the application and the couple must have undergone the premarital education together. To qualify, the premarital education must have been performed by, (1) a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist; (2) a psychiatrist; (3) a psychologist; or (4) an active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy, or the designee of such active member of the clergy, provided the designee is skilled and trained in premarital education.

In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the couple must provide the Court a signed and dated certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program.