Family
Civil Code family law with registration through the Public Service Hall
Book Five of the Civil Code governs family relations. Marriage is registered through the Public Service Development Agency, and since 2017 the minimum age is 18 without exception, closing a route that had permitted marriage at 16.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National. Registration through the Public Service Development Agency; disputes in the city and district courts.
- Deadline — Restraining orders issued by police are subject to judicial confirmation within 24 hours
Governing law
- Civil Code of Georgia (1997), Book Five — family law
- Law on Elimination of Domestic Violence (2006) — protective and restraining orders
In practice
The 2017 amendment removed all exceptions to the age-18 rule for marriage, an important child protection reform. Property acquired during marriage is joint by default and divided on divorce, with prenuptial agreements permitted. Divorce may be registered administratively where both spouses agree and there are no disputes over children or property; otherwise it is decided by a court. The 2006 domestic violence law created police-issued restraining orders subject to prompt judicial confirmation and court-issued protective orders. Georgia's Public Service Halls consolidate civil registration functions and are notably efficient in practice.