{"id":372696,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-26T16:45:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T21:45:56","slug":"georgia-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Every state has a list of conditions that disqualify a couple from getting married, including blood relations, age, and bigamy. States also have specific grounds for annulment, which allow for a quick end to a marriage without the expense or stigma of divorce. Laws in Georgia related to civil annulments and prohibited marriages<\/a> are similar to those of other states.<\/p>\r\n

Under Georgia law, it is prohibited for closely related relatives to marry. Like all other states, at some point in history, Georgia has also prohibited same-sex marriages. However, a Supreme Court ruling in 2015 found that state bans on same-sex marriage violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection guarantee<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What Is the Difference Between a Civil Annulment and a Divorce?<\/h2>\r\n

An annulment is a declaration by a court that a marriage is invalid. In other words, an annulled marriage is a marriage that never should have been allowed in the first place. The process of annulment effectively "erases" the union as if it never happened. Divorce, on the other hand, is the dissolution of a valid marriage. In Georgia, grounds for annulment include fraud and lack of consent.<\/p>\r\n

Georgia, as do other states, lists certain conditions and relationships that disqualify a couple from getting married in the first place. These include having an existing blood or marriage relationship (such as first cousins or in-laws) or more than one spouse (bigamy).<\/p>\r\n

Couples must also be above a certain age before they can be legally married. Georgia law requires individuals be either a legal adult or at least 17 years old and emancipated to be legally married.<\/p>\r\n

Georgia Laws Related to Civil Annulments and Prohibited Marriages<\/h2>\r\n

The main provisions of Georgia’s laws related to civil annulments and prohibited marriages are listed in the table below. See Annulments – Overview<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Prohibited Marriages<\/td>\r\n
Grounds for Annulment<\/td>\r\nFor reasons why marriages qualify for civil annulments, please review the list of prohibited marriages under "Prohibited Marriages." It is immediately above.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Time Limits for Obtaining Annulment<\/td>\r\n–<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Legitimacy of Children<\/td>\r\nChildren born to legally invalid marriages or marriages that have been annulled are considered legitimate.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n

Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about laws related to civil annulments and prohibited marriages:<\/p>\r\n