Tuscaloosa Marriage Records

Tuscaloosa marriage records are handled by the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. Tuscaloosa is the fifth-largest city in Alabama with about 114,000 residents. It is home to the University of Alabama and has a large student population. The Probate Court records all marriage certificates and keeps copies of past marriage records for the county. Tuscaloosa County has one of the lower filing fees in Alabama, making it an affordable place to file.

How Marriage Works in Tuscaloosa

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. The state got rid of marriage licenses. Now Tuscaloosa residents do not need a license to get married. You also do not need a ceremony. No judge, pastor, or officiant is required. Marriage in Alabama is now based on a signed contract between two people.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, couples fill out a Marriage Certificate Form. Both people sign the form. An Alabama notary public must witness the signatures. Then you file the form with the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court within 30 days. That is all it takes. Your marriage becomes legal when the form is filed.

This new system means Tuscaloosa couples can get married without:

• A marriage license from the county
• A formal wedding ceremony
• A minister, judge, or officiant
• A blood test or medical exam
• Any waiting period
• Extra witnesses beyond the notary

Many couples in Tuscaloosa still have weddings. But the ceremony is optional. It has no legal effect. Only the signed and filed form creates a legal marriage in Alabama. The effective date of your marriage is the date of the last signature on the form, not the date of any ceremony you may hold.

Tuscaloosa County Probate Court

The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court is where you file your marriage certificate and get copies of marriage records. The court is at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse on Greensboro Avenue. Probate Judge Rob Robertson oversees marriage filings and other Probate Court functions in Tuscaloosa County.

The courthouse is in downtown Tuscaloosa near the Tuscaloosa River Walk. There is metered street parking and a parking deck nearby. The building has security at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. The Probate Court is on the first floor. Staff can help with questions about marriage forms and fees.

The Tuscaloosa County Probate Office website has a detailed fee schedule in PDF format. You can view the current fees for marriage recording and certified copies before you visit. This helps you bring the right payment and avoid any surprises at the counter.

How to Get Married in Tuscaloosa

Getting married in Tuscaloosa takes three steps. There is no appointment needed. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. If one person is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must consent in writing. No one under 16 can get married in Alabama.

Step 1: Get the form. Download the Alabama Marriage Certificate Form from the state portal at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. You can fill it out online and print it. You can also get a paper form at the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The form asks for names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses. Fill in your sections before meeting with the notary.

Step 2: Get it notarized. Both parties must sign the form in front of an Alabama notary public. The notary must be commissioned in Alabama. Notaries from other states do not count. Many banks, shipping stores, and law offices in Tuscaloosa have notary services. The fee is usually $5 to $15 per signature. The notary will check your ID, watch you sign, and stamp the form.

Step 3: File the form. Bring or mail the signed form to the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court within 30 days of the last signature. The recording fee is between $70 and $75. Pay by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards may have an extra fee. Once filed, your marriage is official and on record in Tuscaloosa County.

Tuscaloosa Marriage Fees

Tuscaloosa County has some of the lowest marriage recording fees in Alabama. The cost to file a marriage certificate is between $70 and $75. This is well below the state average. The exact fee can vary based on document length and any extras you need. Contact the Probate Court at (205) 464-8204 for the current rate.

The fees in Tuscaloosa are:

• Record a marriage certificate: $70.00 to $75.00
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification
• Notary fee (varies by notary): $5.00 to $15.00

If you need more copies later, you can get them from the Probate Court. You can also request copies from the state. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. State records go back to August 1936. For earlier records, you must go through Tuscaloosa County.

The Tuscaloosa County Probate Office has a full fee schedule on their website at tuscco.com. This includes fees for recording, copies, and other services. Check the schedule before you visit to make sure you bring the right payment amount.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Tuscaloosa marriage records from the county or the state. The county has older records. The state has records from August 1936 forward. Both issue certified copies that are legal proof of marriage. Choose based on when the marriage took place and how fast you need the copy.

From Tuscaloosa County: Contact the Probate Court at (205) 464-8204 or visit in person at 714 Greensboro Avenue. You will need the names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus $3 for certification. Walk-in requests are often handled the same day. For mail requests, include a check and return envelope.

From the State: Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The state fee is $15 plus a processing fee. You can also mail a request using Form HS-14 from alabamapublichealth.gov. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.

Marriage records in Alabama are public records. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can request copies. You do not need to be one of the spouses. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The records are kept forever and are never sealed or restricted.

Marriage Records and the University

Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama with over 38,000 students. Many students and young professionals get married while living in the city. The simple process in Alabama makes it easy. You do not need to be a resident of Tuscaloosa to file here. Any couple can file their marriage certificate in any Alabama county.

Some things to know if you are a student getting married in Tuscaloosa:

• You do not need to be an Alabama resident to marry here
• You can use your campus address on the form
• The notary must be an Alabama notary, not from your home state
• Your marriage is valid in all 50 states once filed

The University of Alabama campus is just minutes from the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. After filing, you can request extra certified copies to send to your home state or for other legal needs. The low fees in Tuscaloosa make it an affordable option for students and young couples.

Tuscaloosa Historical Marriage Records

Tuscaloosa County has marriage records going back many years. The city was the state capital from 1826 to 1846, so it has a long history of record keeping. The Probate Court holds the original records. Some older records have been microfilmed or digitized for preservation.

Older marriage records may have different info. Before 1888, records often listed names, bondsmen, officiant, and the marriage date. After 1910, records added parents' names, ages, and occupations. These details help with family research. The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court can search their indexes for you if you are looking for older records.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has copies of many county marriage records on microfilm. Their research room is in Montgomery at 624 Washington Avenue. Online, you can find indexes to older Tuscaloosa marriage records on FamilySearch and Ancestry. These can help you locate records before you request certified copies.

Legal Help in Tuscaloosa

Most people do not need a lawyer to get married. The process is straightforward. But some may want legal advice about prenuptial agreements, name changes, or how marriage affects property or immigration status. Tuscaloosa has several resources for legal help.

Legal Services Alabama serves the Tuscaloosa area. They offer free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call 1-866-456-4995 for the statewide intake line. The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association can refer you to a local family law attorney. Call (205) 758-4403 for a referral. The Alabama State Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660.

For questions about the marriage form, the Probate Court staff can help. They cannot give legal advice. But they can explain what the form asks for and how to file it. Call (205) 464-8204 before your visit if you have questions.

Nearby Cities

Tuscaloosa is in west-central Alabama. It is about an hour from Birmingham. Several other major Alabama cities are within a few hours drive. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county. If you live near a county line, another county may be closer or have lower fees.

Other major Alabama cities with marriage record pages include:

• Birmingham (Jefferson County) - 60 miles northeast
• Hoover (Jefferson/Shelby County) - 50 miles east
• Montgomery (Montgomery County) - 100 miles southeast
• Huntsville (Madison County) - 150 miles north
• Mobile (Mobile County) - 220 miles south

For the full Tuscaloosa County marriage information, including court details, all fees, and other services, visit the county page.

View Tuscaloosa County Marriage Records