Madison City Marriage Records
Madison marriage records may be filed at either Madison County or Limestone County Probate Court. The city of Madison spans two counties. With about 64,000 residents, Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama. Where you file depends on which part of the city you live in. Check your address to find out which county applies to you.
Madison City Quick Facts
Where to File Marriage Certificates in Madison
Madison residents can file at the probate court for their county. You can actually file in any Alabama county, but most people file where they live. If you live in the Madison County part of the city, file in Huntsville. If you live in the Limestone County part, file in Athens. Both options work. The fees differ slightly between the two.
Madison County Probate Court (Huntsville)
| Office | Madison County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1918 Memorial Parkway NW Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fee | $89.00 |
| Website | madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge |
Limestone County Probate Court (Athens)
| Office | Limestone County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 South Clinton Street, Suite D Athens, AL 35611 |
| Phone | (256) 233-6427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | $79.00 |
| Website | limestonecounty-al.gov |
Madison County's office is at the Service Center on Memorial Parkway, not the main courthouse. This location is closer to Madison city. Limestone County's office is at the courthouse in downtown Athens. From Madison, Huntsville is closer for most residents. Athens is about 20 minutes away. Choose whichever is more convenient for you.
How to Get Married in Madison
Alabama changed how marriage works in 2019. There is no marriage license anymore. No ceremony is required. You do not need a minister or judge. Marriage in Madison is a simple contract. Two people sign a form, get it notarized, and file it at a probate court. That is all.
Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, couples complete a Marriage Certificate Form. Both people sign it. An Alabama notary witnesses the signing and adds a seal. The form goes to either Madison County or Limestone County Probate Court for recording. The marriage is legal when filed. No wedding ceremony is needed for Madison couples.
Steps to get married in Madison:
- Download the Marriage Certificate Form from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage
- Complete all fields with accurate information
- Sign before an Alabama notary public
- File at Madison County ($89) or Limestone County ($79) within 30 days
- Receive your certified copy
The notary must be from Alabama. Out-of-state notaries do not work. Madison has many notary services at banks, UPS stores, and offices. The probate courts do not notarize forms. Get it done before you visit. If you choose Limestone County, you save $10 on the fee. Madison County is often closer for most Madison residents.
How to Know Which County You Are In
Madison city sits in both Madison County and Limestone County. The county line runs through parts of the city. Most of Madison is in Madison County. The western and northern edges extend into Limestone County. You need to know which side you are on.
Ways to check your county:
- Look at your property tax bill - it shows which county
- Check your voter registration card
- Search your address on the county GIS or mapping website
- Call the city of Madison at (256) 772-9300 and ask
Even if you live in one county, you can file in either. Alabama lets you record a marriage certificate in any county. Some Madison residents in Madison County choose Limestone for the lower fee. Some in Limestone County choose Madison County because it is closer. Both are valid options for Madison couples.
General geographic guide for Madison addresses:
- East of I-565 - mostly Madison County
- Near Hughes Road/County Line Road - may be Limestone
- Downtown Madison area - Madison County
- Near the Limestone County line - verify your specific address
Madison Marriage Requirements
Alabama has simple marriage rules. No residency is required. You do not need to live in Madison or even Alabama. No blood test is needed. No waiting period unless you recently divorced. Madison couples can marry the same day they file.
Both people must be 18 or older. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-4, those 16 or 17 need notarized consent from a parent or guardian. No one under 16 may marry in Alabama.
You cannot marry if already married. 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 Madison. Bring a valid photo ID when you file. A driver's license or passport works. Only one person needs to be present if the form is complete and notarized.
Common law marriage is no longer possible in Alabama. The state abolished it on January 1, 2017 under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-20. Common law marriages started before that date may still be valid. But you cannot form a new one in Madison.
Madison Marriage Fees
Fees differ between the two counties. Madison County charges $89 to record a marriage certificate. Limestone County charges $79. Both fees cover recording and one certified copy. Pick whichever works better for your location and budget.
Fee comparison:
| Service | Madison County | Limestone County |
|---|---|---|
| Recording fee | $89.00 | $79.00 |
| Extra certified copies | $2.00 | Contact office |
For extra copies later, you can go to either county or to 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 through VitalChek online. Records reach the state about two to four weeks after county filing.
How to Get Madison Marriage Records
To get copies of a marriage filed in Madison, you need to know which county has the record. If filed at Madison County, go to Huntsville. If filed at Limestone County, go to Athens. You can also request from the state, which has both.
Marriage records in Alabama are public. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can get a marriage certificate. You do not need to be a spouse. No reason is required. Madison marriage records are open to all.
To get county copies:
- Visit the probate court where the marriage was filed
- Provide both names and approximate date
- Pay the copy fee ($2 Madison County, varies Limestone)
- Same-day service is usually available
For state copies, contact the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103. Include full names, marriage date, and a $15 check. Order online at vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a processing fee. Call 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone.
Historical Marriage Records for Madison
Madison County was formed in 1808. It is the oldest county in Alabama. Marriage records date back to 1809. Limestone County was formed in 1818 with records starting then. Both counties have long histories of marriage records.
The city of Madison was incorporated in 1869. Early Madison area marriages are in Madison County records mostly. Some may be in Limestone if the family lived on that side. Historical records contain less detail than modern ones. Early records show names, date, and officiant. Later records add ages, birthplaces, and parents' names.
For genealogy research on Madison area marriages:
- Madison County Probate Court has records from 1809
- Limestone County Archives has extensive historical records
- Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm copies
- FamilySearch and Ancestry have digitized Alabama records
- Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has local history materials
Limestone County Archives at limestonearchives.com has over 350,000 searchable entries. This is a great resource for historical marriage research. Madison County has online records through its probate office website.
Madison Community Resources
Madison is a suburb of Huntsville in north Alabama. It has grown fast in recent years. Many residents work at NASA, Redstone Arsenal, or tech companies. The city has highly rated schools. This draws young families who often need marriage services.
Madison City Schools serve most of the city. Parts of Madison are in Madison County Schools or Limestone County Schools. This split mirrors the county line issue. When you move to Madison, check which school district and county cover your address. The same applies when filing for marriage.
For legal questions about marriage, resources include:
- Legal Services of North Alabama - serves low-income residents
- Madison County Bar Association - lawyer referrals
- Alabama State Bar - statewide referral service at 1-800-392-5660
Name changes after marriage are free at Social Security. Bring your certified marriage certificate to the Huntsville Social Security office. Then visit the DMV for a new license. Both counties have DMV locations that can help Madison residents.
County Marriage Records
Madison city spans two counties. For full details on each county's marriage services, fees, and hours, see the individual county pages:
Nearby Major Cities
Madison is part of the Huntsville metro area. Nearby major cities include:
- Huntsville - adjacent to Madison, same metro area
- Decatur - about 25 miles southwest
Huntsville is in Madison County. Decatur is in Morgan County. Each files at its own county probate court. Madison city residents have two filing options because of the split-county situation. This gives you flexibility other cities do not have.