Find Decatur Marriage Records

Decatur marriage records are filed at the Morgan County Probate Court. Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County with about 58,000 residents. Known as the "River City" for its location on the Tennessee River, Decatur is a hub of north Alabama industry. The Probate Judge keeps all marriage files and issues certified copies for Decatur residents.

Where to File Marriage Certificates in Decatur

Decatur couples file their marriage certificates at the Morgan County Probate Court. The office is in the Morgan County Courthouse in downtown Decatur. Since Decatur is the county seat, the probate court is right in town. This makes it easy for Decatur residents to file without traveling to another city.

The courthouse is on Lee Street in the heart of downtown Decatur. Street parking and lot parking are available nearby. The probate office is on the second floor. Security screens visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The staff can answer questions about filing marriage certificates in Decatur.

How to Get Married in Decatur

Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. Marriage licenses no longer exist. No ceremony is required. You do not need a minister, judge, or officiant. Marriage in Decatur is now a contract. Two people sign a form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. That is all.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, couples use a Marriage Certificate Form. Both parties fill it out. Both sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary adds a seal. You file the form at the Morgan County Probate Court. Your marriage becomes legal when the court records it. No wedding is needed for Decatur couples.

Steps to marry in Decatur:

• Download the form from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage
• Fill out all required information
• Sign before an Alabama notary public
• File at Morgan County Probate Court within 30 days
• Pay the $78 recording fee

You must use an Alabama notary. An out-of-state notary will not work. Decatur has many notary services at banks, shipping stores, and offices. The Probate Court cannot notarize your form. Get it notarized before you arrive. The whole process can be done in one day if your form is ready.

Decatur Marriage Requirements

Alabama has few marriage requirements. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Decatur or Alabama. There is no blood test. There is no waiting period unless you were recently divorced. Decatur couples can marry the same day they file if ready.

Both parties must be 18 or older to marry on their own. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-4, people aged 16 or 17 can marry with notarized parental consent. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama.

You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else. You cannot marry a close blood relative. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-10, if you divorced in the past 60 days, you must wait before remarrying in Decatur. Bring valid photo ID to file. A driver's license or passport works. Both people do not need to be present if the form is complete and notarized.

Common law marriage ended in Alabama on January 1, 2017. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-20, no new common law marriages can form. Older ones from before that date may still be valid. But you cannot start a new one in Decatur today.

Decatur Marriage Fees

Morgan County charges $78 to record a marriage certificate. This is the main fee for Decatur couples. The fee covers recording and one certified copy. You pay at the time of filing. Call (256) 351-4600 to ask about payment methods before your visit.

Fees for marriage in Decatur:

• Marriage certificate recording: $78.00
• Additional certified copies: Contact office for price
• Notary service (varies): $5.00 to $15.00

If you need more certified copies later, you have two choices. Go to the Morgan County Probate Court in Decatur. Or request from the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 per certified copy. They have records from August 1936 to present. Order by mail or online through VitalChek. State records update two to four weeks after county filing.

How to Get Decatur Marriage Records

You can get copies of marriage records from Decatur two ways. Visit the Morgan County Probate Court in person. Or request from the state by mail. Both give certified copies valid for legal use. The county is faster for same-day needs. The state works well for mail requests.

Marriage records in Alabama are public. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can get a copy. You do not need to be a spouse. You do not need a reason. Decatur marriage records are open to all.

Morgan County offers online record search. Visit morgancountyprobate.com to create a free account. You can view records online but need to visit in person for certified copies. This is helpful to check if a record exists before making the trip.

To get copies from the county:

• Visit Morgan County Probate Court in Decatur
• Provide names and approximate marriage date
• Pay the copy fee
• Same-day service usually available

For state copies, write to Alabama Center for Health Statistics at P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103. Include full names, marriage date, and a $15 check. Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a service fee. Call 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone.

Historical Marriage Records in Decatur

Morgan County was originally called Cotaco County. It was renamed Morgan County in 1821. Marriage records go back to the early 1800s. The Probate Court holds these historical records. Some early records may be incomplete or damaged from age.

Historical records have different content than modern ones. Early records show the bride, groom, date, and officiant. Records from 1910 onward add more details. These include ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and occupations. Records before 2019 show license and ceremony dates. Records after 2019 show the filing date as the marriage date.

For genealogy research on Decatur marriages:

• Morgan County Probate Court has original records
• Morgan County Archives has estate records and old newspapers from 1919
• Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm
• FamilySearch has some Morgan County records online for free
• Decatur Public Library has local history materials

The Morgan County Archives is a good resource. They hold historical records that can help with family research. Contact them for records older than what the Probate Court can easily access.

Decatur Community Information

Decatur sits on the Tennessee River and Wheeler Reservoir. It has a strong industrial base with companies like Daikin, 3M, and United Launch Alliance. The city also hosts the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic each year. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is nearby, drawing nature lovers.

Decatur was important in the Civil War. The Battle of Decatur took place in 1862. The city rebuilt after the war and grew into a manufacturing center. Today it balances industry with quality of life. The downtown area has been revitalized with shops and restaurants near the courthouse.

The Probate Court serves not just Decatur but all of Morgan County. This includes Hartselle, Falkville, Priceville, and other towns. About 120,000 people live in Morgan County. Decatur is by far the largest city and serves as the hub for county services.

Legal Help in Decatur

Most Decatur couples do not need a lawyer to marry. The process is straightforward. But some have questions about prenuptial agreements, name changes, or related matters. Several resources can help.

Legal Services of North Central Alabama serves Morgan County. They help low-income residents with family law issues. Call to check if you qualify. The Morgan County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar has a referral line at 1-800-392-5660.

For name changes after marriage:

• Get your certified marriage certificate first
• Visit the Social Security office in Decatur to update your name
• Go to the DMV for a new license with your married name
• Update your bank, employer, and other records

Social Security name changes are free. Just bring your marriage certificate and current ID. The Decatur Social Security office is on Beltline Road. The DMV charges a fee for a new license. Many people update Social Security first because other agencies often want to see that your Social Security name matches.

Nearby Counties

Morgan County borders several other counties. You can file a marriage certificate in any Alabama county. Some Decatur residents choose a nearby county if it is more convenient. Fees and hours vary by location.

Counties near Decatur:

• Limestone County (Athens) - about 15 miles north
• Madison County (Huntsville) - about 25 miles east
• Lawrence County (Moulton) - about 20 miles west
• Cullman County (Cullman) - about 30 miles south

Morgan County's $78 fee is competitive with nearby counties. The downtown Decatur location is easy to reach. Most Decatur residents find it simplest to file at the Morgan County Probate Court. But if you work in Huntsville or another area, you can file there instead.

Morgan County Marriage Records

Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. All marriage filings for the county go through the Morgan County Probate Court in Decatur. The county serves about 120,000 residents. For more on fees, hours, and services, visit the Morgan County marriage records page.

View Morgan County Marriage Records

Nearby Major Cities

Decatur is in north Alabama between Huntsville and Birmingham. Other major cities nearby include:

• Huntsville - about 25 miles east
• Madison - about 25 miles northeast
• Birmingham - about 80 miles south

Each city files marriage certificates at its own county probate court. Decatur's location makes it accessible from many parts of north Alabama. The Morgan County Probate Court is open Monday through Friday with no Friday closures.