St. Marys, Georgia Wedding Officiant
Waterfront weddings, elopements, and short-notice military ceremonies in St. Marys, the closest Georgia wedding town to Jacksonville.
The short answer
Mila Notary & Wedding Solutions officiates waterfront weddings and elopements in St. Marys, Georgia, about 40 minutes north of our Jacksonville base. Georgia has no waiting period and requires no witnesses, so many couples marry the same day the Camden County Probate Court issues their license. We also serve Kings Bay military couples.
A wedding officiant leads your ceremony, signs your marriage license, and returns it to the issuing probate court within 30 days, so your marriage is recorded without any extra trips on your part.
Where can you get married in St. Marys?
St. Marys is a small riverfront town just across the Florida line, and its best ceremony spots cluster along the water. The gazebo at Howard Gilman Memorial Park looks straight down the St. Marys River and hosts most of the town's elopements. The oak-shaded streets of the historic district work beautifully for small gatherings, and waterfront restaurants nearby make the celebration afterward easy.
For something wilder, Cumberland Island departs from the St. Marys waterfront by ferry. Wild horses, empty beaches, and the ruins of Dungeness make it one of the most distinctive wedding settings in the country; John F. Kennedy Jr. famously married there in 1996. The island is a National Seashore, so the National Park Service requires a special-use permit for ceremonies, and ferry capacity is limited. Build extra lead time into a Cumberland plan.
- Howard Gilman Memorial Park: the waterfront gazebo at the foot of the historic district.
- St. Marys historic district: live oaks, white picket fences, and quiet side streets.
- Cumberland Island: ferry-access National Seashore ceremonies, permit required.
- Crooked River State Park: marsh-edge sunsets ten minutes north of town.
- Your own venue: homes, docks, and small inns throughout Camden County.
How do you get a marriage license in Camden County?
The Camden County Probate Court sits in Woodbine, the county seat, a short drive up from St. Marys. If either of you lives in Georgia, any county probate court in the state can issue your license. If you are both Florida residents, note that you count as out-of-state in Georgia, so your license must come from Camden County when the ceremony is in St. Marys. Bring valid photo ID, know your Social Security numbers, and bring the date of any final divorce decree.
There is no waiting period, and the fee is typically $60 to $70, or about $16 with a qualifying six-hour premarital education certificate. Every step is detailed in our Georgia marriage license requirements guide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing office | Camden County Probate Court in Woodbine, a short drive from St. Marys. |
| Waiting period | None. Apply in the morning, marry by the water that afternoon. |
| Witnesses | Not required. Only the officiant signs. |
| Typical fee | $60 to $70, or about $16 with a premarital education certificate. |
| Florida couples | Count as non-residents, so apply in Camden County for a St. Marys ceremony. |
| Cumberland Island | Ferry access from St. Marys; NPS special-use permit required for ceremonies. |
Why is St. Marys popular with Jacksonville and military couples?
Two reasons: speed and the water. St. Marys is the first Georgia town off I-95, about 40 minutes from Jacksonville, and Georgia's no-waiting-period rule means a Florida couple can skip their home state's three-day wait by simply driving north. We make that trip constantly, so short-notice and same-day ceremonies are usually workable.
St. Marys also neighbors Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Deployment schedules change fast, and we regularly perform short, legal ceremonies for Navy couples who need to be married before a boat leaves, with the full celebration planned for later. If your timeline is measured in days, call or text us and we will move quickly. For the bigger picture of marrying anywhere in the state, see our Georgia wedding officiant hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the probate court for a St. Marys wedding?
The Camden County Probate Court in Woodbine, the county seat, a short drive from St. Marys. It issues the license for any ceremony in Camden County.
We live in Jacksonville. Can we marry in St. Marys the same day?
Usually, yes. Georgia has no waiting period, and St. Marys is about 40 minutes from Jacksonville. Apply at the Camden County Probate Court, then meet us at the waterfront. Confirm timing with us first so we can hold your slot.
Can you marry us before a deployment from Kings Bay?
Yes. We perform short-notice legal ceremonies for Kings Bay military couples regularly. With a valid Camden County license, the ceremony itself can happen within days, or sometimes hours, of your call.
Can we get married on Cumberland Island?
Yes, but plan ahead. Cumberland Island is a National Seashore reached by ferry from St. Marys, and the National Park Service requires a special-use permit for ceremonies. Ferry seats are limited, so book everything early.
Do we need witnesses in St. Marys?
No. Georgia requires no witnesses at the ceremony or on the license, so a two-person elopement at the Howard Gilman Memorial Park gazebo is fully legal.
Do you officiate in other languages?
Yes. Ceremonies are available in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, or a blend, which suits many international Navy families here.
Ready for a St. Marys Waterfront Wedding?
Whether it is a sunset gazebo elopement or a pre-deployment ceremony on a tight clock, we are 40 minutes away and ready.