Montgomery Marriage Records
Montgomery marriage records are filed at the Montgomery County Probate Court. As Alabama's state capital with about 196,000 residents, Montgomery is a major hub for vital records in the state. The Probate Court records all marriage certificates and issues certified copies of past records. Montgomery County has marriage records going back to 1817, making it one of the oldest record collections in Alabama.
Montgomery Quick Facts
How Marriage Works in Montgomery
Alabama changed how couples get married in 2019. The state ended the old license system. Now you do not need a marriage license in Montgomery or anywhere else in Alabama. You also do not need a ceremony. No judge, minister, or officiant has to marry you. Marriage in Alabama is now a contract between two people.
Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, couples complete a Marriage Certificate Form instead of getting a license. Both people sign the form. An Alabama notary public must witness both signatures. The notary cannot be a friend or family member who is also a party to the marriage. After the notary signs and stamps the form, you file it with the Probate Court in Montgomery within 30 days.
Montgomery residents can get married without:
- A marriage license
- A wedding ceremony
- A minister or judge
- Witnesses beyond the notary
- A blood test
- A waiting period
This makes it simple. You can get married in Montgomery the same day you decide to do so. The marriage takes effect on the date of the last signature on the form. That is your legal wedding date in Montgomery. Many couples still hold ceremonies, but the law does not require them. The ceremony has no legal effect. Only the signed and filed form makes your marriage legal.
Montgomery County Probate Court
The Montgomery County Probate Court is where you file your marriage certificate and where you get copies of marriage records. The court is in downtown Montgomery at the Montgomery County Courthouse. Judge J.C. Love III leads the Probate Court and oversees all marriage filings in the county.
| Court | Montgomery County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 S. Lawrence Street, 2nd Floor Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Phone | (334) 832-1244 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | montgomeryprobatecourtal.gov |
The courthouse is in the heart of downtown Montgomery near Dexter Avenue. Parking is available on the street with meters. There are also parking lots nearby for longer visits. The court sits close to the state capitol building and other government offices. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. You will pass through security at the entrance.
Montgomery County Probate Court also has an online portal. You can view some records online through a subscription service. The portal lets you search by name and view document images. This can save you a trip downtown if you just need to look up basic info. For certified copies, you still need to contact the office by phone, mail, or in person.
How to Get Married in Montgomery
Getting married in Montgomery is a simple process. You do not need to make an appointment. There is no waiting period. Both people must be at least 18 years old. If someone is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must give consent and sign the form too. People under 16 cannot get married in Alabama under any case.
Follow these steps to get married in Montgomery:
Step 1: Get the form. Download the Alabama Marriage Certificate Form from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. You can also pick up a paper form at the Montgomery County Probate Court. The form asks for basic info: names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. Fill out your part before you meet with the notary.
Step 2: Find a notary. Both parties must sign the form in front of an Alabama notary public. The notary must be commissioned in Alabama. Out-of-state notaries will not work. You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, law offices, and many other places in Montgomery. Some notaries charge $5 to $15 per signature. The notary will verify your ID, watch you sign, and add their seal and signature.
Step 3: File the form. Take or mail the completed form to the Montgomery County Probate Court within 30 days of the last signature. The recording fee is $88. This includes the filing, one certified copy, and basic paperwork. Pay by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards may be accepted with an extra fee. Once filed, your marriage is official and part of the public record in Montgomery.
Montgomery Marriage Fees
Fees for marriage in Montgomery are set by Montgomery County. The main fee is $88 to record your marriage certificate. This is one of the higher fees in Alabama, but it includes more than just the filing. The fee covers the recording, paperwork processing, and one certified copy of your marriage certificate. Many counties charge separately for copies.
The fees in Montgomery are:
- Record a marriage certificate: $88.00
- Additional certified copies: $2.00 each
- Notary fee (varies by notary): $5.00 to $15.00
If you need more certified copies later, you can get them from the Probate Court for $2 each. You can also order from the state. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15 for the first copy and $6 for each extra copy in the same order. The state has records from August 1936 forward. For older records in Montgomery, you must use the county.
Montgomery County accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Call ahead to ask about credit card options. The phone number is (334) 832-1244. Fee waivers are not usually available for marriage filings. Unlike court cases, there is no income-based reduction for recording a marriage certificate in Montgomery.
How to Get Marriage Record Copies
You can get copies of marriage records in Montgomery from the county or the state. The county has records going back to 1817. The state has records from August 1936 to the present. Both issue certified copies that are valid for legal use. The choice depends on when the marriage happened and how fast you need the copy.
From Montgomery County: Contact the Probate Court at (334) 832-1244 or visit in person. You will need the names of both spouses and the date or year of marriage. Certified copies cost $2 each. The county can often provide copies the same day if you visit in person. For mail requests, include a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
From the State: The Alabama Center for Health Statistics handles state-level requests. You can order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The state fee is $15 plus a processing fee from VitalChek. You can also mail a request using Form HS-14 from alabamapublichealth.gov. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.
Marriage records in Alabama are public. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to the couple. You do not need to give a reason. The records are kept forever and never sealed. This applies to all marriage records in Montgomery.
Montgomery Historical Marriage Records
Montgomery County has marriage records dating back to 1817. This makes it one of the oldest collections in Alabama. The county seat, Montgomery, has been the state capital since 1846. Many historical records are still held at the Probate Court. Some have been digitized and are available through archives and genealogy sites.
Older records may contain different info than modern ones. Before 1888, records often listed the bride, groom, bondsmen, officiant, and marriage date. Starting in 1910, they added parents' names, ages, occupations, and physical descriptions. These details help with genealogy research. Montgomery's long history and central role in Alabama make its records especially useful for family historians.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of many county records. You can visit their research room to view historical marriage records. The archives are at 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130. Their website is archives.alabama.gov. Free online indexes are also available through FamilySearch and Ancestry for older Montgomery marriage records.
Legal Help in Montgomery
Most people do not need a lawyer to get married in Montgomery. The process is simple. But some situations call for legal advice. If you have questions about name changes, prenuptial agreements, or how marriage affects property or immigration status, a lawyer can help. There are also free resources for people with low income.
Legal Services Alabama has an office in Montgomery. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call (334) 264-1471 to ask about services. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. For basic forms and info, the Montgomery County Law Library can help. It is in the county courthouse.
For questions about the marriage form itself, the Probate Court staff can help. They cannot give legal advice. But they can tell you what the form asks for and how to fill it out. Call (334) 832-1244 with questions before you visit.
Nearby Cities
Montgomery is the fourth-largest city in Alabama. Several other major cities are within driving distance. If you live near a county line, you may find it more convenient to file in another county. Alabama does not require you to file in the county where you live. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county.
Other major Alabama cities with marriage record pages include:
- Birmingham (Jefferson County) - 90 miles north
- Mobile (Mobile County) - 170 miles south
- Huntsville (Madison County) - 190 miles north
- Auburn (Lee County) - 55 miles east
- Dothan (Houston County) - 100 miles southeast
For the full list of Montgomery County marriage information, including details on the court, fees, and all services, see the county page.