Huntsville Marriage Records
Huntsville marriage records are filed at the Madison County Probate Court. Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama with over 230,000 people. It serves as the county seat of Madison County. All Huntsville marriage certificates go through the Probate Judge office. The court records new marriages and keeps copies of past records dating back to 1809.
Huntsville Quick Facts
How Marriage Works in Huntsville
Alabama changed how couples get married in 2019. The state got rid of marriage licenses entirely. Huntsville couples now use a signed form instead. No ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. Marriage is treated as a contract between two adults.
This change came from Code of Alabama § 30-1-9.1. It took effect on August 29, 2019. Alabama is the only state that works this way. Huntsville couples follow this new process just like everyone else in the state.
To get married in Huntsville, you need to:
- Download or pick up the Marriage Certificate form
- Fill in all required information for both people
- Sign the form in front of an Alabama notary public
- File the form at the Madison County Probate Court
- Pay the recording fee
Your marriage date is the day you file. Not the day you sign. Not the day of any ceremony. The legal marriage starts when the Probate Court records your form. This is important for Huntsville couples to understand. You can sign the form weeks before filing if you want. But you must file within 30 days of the last signature.
Many Huntsville couples still have wedding ceremonies. That is perfectly fine. The ceremony can be religious or secular. It can happen before or after you file. But the ceremony has no legal effect. Only the filing matters under Alabama law.
Where to File in Huntsville
Huntsville residents file marriage certificates at the Madison County Probate Court. The county has two main locations. Most people use the Service Center on Memorial Parkway. It handles most probate services including marriage filings. Bring your signed and notarized form to the counter. Staff will check it and record it that day.
| Office | Madison County Probate Court - Service Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 1918 Memorial Parkway NW Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge |
The courthouse location is at 100 North Side Square, Room 101, Huntsville, AL 35801. This is the historic courthouse on the downtown square. Both locations can help with marriage records. For most Huntsville residents, the Service Center is easier to reach and has better parking.
Madison County requires an appointment for some services. Call ahead to check. The phone number is (256) 532-3330. Wait times vary. The Service Center tends to be less busy than the courthouse. Plan to spend 20-30 minutes for a standard marriage filing in Huntsville.
Get Your Marriage Form
You need the official Alabama Marriage Certificate form. There are two ways to get it. The state has an online portal at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. This site walks you through the form. You can fill it out online and print it. Or you can pick up a blank form from the Madison County Probate Court in Huntsville.
The form requires this info:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Birth dates and ages
- Current addresses
- Social Security numbers
- An affidavit stating you are free to marry
Social Security numbers go on the form but are not shown on the public record. This protects your privacy. The affidavit section is where you swear that you meet all legal requirements to marry. You confirm you are not already married and not closely related to the other person.
Both people must sign the form. Then an Alabama notary public must watch you sign or confirm your signature. The notary adds their seal, signature, and commission info. Out-of-state notaries do not work. It must be an Alabama notary. Many banks, shipping stores, and law offices in Huntsville provide notary services for a small fee.
Requirements for Marriage in Huntsville
Alabama law sets the rules for who can get married. Both people must be 18 years old or more. Under Code of Alabama § 30-1-4, minors aged 16 or 17 can marry with notarized parental consent. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama.
Other rules for Huntsville marriages:
- You cannot marry a close blood relative
- You cannot be married to someone else
- Both parties must consent freely
- Both must have mental capacity to agree
There is no residency rule in Alabama. You do not need to live in Huntsville. You do not need to live in Madison County. You do not even need to live in Alabama. Out-of-state couples can come to Huntsville and get married the same day. This is one reason Alabama attracts couples from other states.
There is no waiting period. You file and you are married. The only exception is if you just got divorced. In that case, you must wait 60 days before marrying again. The court will check your divorce date. This 60-day rule is in state law. Other than that, Huntsville couples can marry whenever they are ready.
Alabama ended common law marriage on January 1, 2017. If you started a common law marriage before that date, it may still be valid. But new common law marriages are not recognized. You must file the official form to be married in Huntsville now.
Huntsville Marriage Fees
The fee to record a marriage in Huntsville is $89. This is the Madison County recording fee. You pay it when you file your form at the Probate Court. The fee covers recording and includes one certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Other Madison County Probate Court fees:
- Marriage recording (with one certified copy): $89.00
- Additional certified copies: $2.00 each
- Notary service: varies by provider
The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. They do not help you fill out the form. You must bring a completed form that has already been notarized. If your form has errors, you may need to fix them and come back. Check your form carefully before your Huntsville visit.
State certified copies cost more. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for one copy and $6 for each extra. If you order through VitalChek online, there is an added service fee of about $15. For most Huntsville couples, getting copies from the Probate Court is cheaper.
How to Search Marriage Records
Madison County has marriage records from 1809. This is one of the oldest sets of records in Alabama. Madison County was formed in 1808 and started keeping marriage records right away. You can search these records in person or request copies by mail.
To search Huntsville marriage records:
- Visit the Madison County Probate Court
- Call (256) 532-3330 with your request
- Search state records through ADPH for $15
- Check online genealogy sites for older records
Marriage records in Alabama are public. Under Code of Alabama § 22-9A-21, anyone can get a copy. You do not need to be named on the record. You do not need a reason. This makes research easy in Huntsville.
The state health department has marriage records from August 1936 forward. For older records, you must go to the county. Madison County has records going back over 200 years. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has microfilm of early marriage records for genealogy research.
Get Copies of Marriage Records
You can get copies of Huntsville marriage records from the county or the state. The county is faster for most requests. The state is better if you need records from multiple counties or if you live far from Huntsville.
At the Madison County Probate Court:
- Visit 1918 Memorial Parkway NW or 100 North Side Square
- Give the names and approximate marriage date
- Pay $2.00 per certified copy
- Get copies the same day
From the Alabama Department of Public Health:
- Order online at VitalChek
- Mail in Form HS-14 with payment
- Pay $15 for the first copy, $6 each for extras
- Allow 4-6 weeks for mail orders
The state address is: Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 for questions. VitalChek phone orders are at 1-888-279-9888. Online orders arrive faster than mail, usually within 2-3 weeks.
About Huntsville
Huntsville is known as the "Rocket City." It is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. The city has a highly educated population with many engineers and scientists. Cummings Research Park is the second largest research park in the country.
Huntsville was the first city in Alabama to desegregate its schools in 1963. The city has grown rapidly in recent decades. It passed Birmingham to become the largest city in Alabama around 2020. The tech industry continues to drive population growth. Many people move here for aerospace and defense jobs.
The city spans parts of Madison County and has expanded significantly. Downtown Huntsville has the historic courthouse square. This is where the original Probate Court office is located. The newer Service Center on Memorial Parkway handles most daily business including marriage filings.
Legal Help in Huntsville
Most couples do not need a lawyer to get married. The process is straightforward. But help is available if you have questions about prenuptial agreements, name changes, or other legal matters related to marriage in Huntsville.
Legal Services Alabama has an office serving the Huntsville area. They provide free legal help to people with low income. Call (256) 536-9645 for the local office or (866) 456-4995 toll-free. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org lists all services.
The Madison County Bar Association can refer you to a family law attorney. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660. The Alabama Probate Judges Association at alpja.org has info on all 67 county probate courts.
Madison County Marriage Records
Huntsville is in Madison County, and all marriage filings go through the Madison County Probate Court. The county handles records for Huntsville, Madison city, and other communities in the area. For more on the county probate office, full fee details, nearby areas, and other resources, visit the Madison County marriage records page.