---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1. Prerequisites to valid marriage.
collection: code
id: 19-3-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=306
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-2-6.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / MARRIAGE GENERALLY / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1. Prerequisites to valid marriage.

To constitute a valid marriage in this state there must be:

(1) Parties able to contract;

(2) An actual contract; and

(3) Consummation according to law.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 1653; Code 1868, § 1697; Code 1873, § 1698; Code 1882, § 1698; Civil Code 1895, § 2411; Civil Code 1910, § 2930; Code 1933, § 53-101.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing changes in and case application of statutes concerning marriage, divorce, and custody law in 1976 to 1977, see 29 Mercer L. Rev. 103 (1977).

For article, “Georgia Inheritance Rights of Children Born Out of Wedlock,” see 23 Ga. St. B.J. 28 (1986).

For article, “A Holy Secular Institution,” see 58 Emory L.J. 1123 (2009).

For article, “Speech or Conduct? The Free Speech Claim of Wedding Vendors,” see 65 Emory L.J. 241 (2015).