Search Autauga County Marriage Records

Autauga County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Prattville. The court handles all marriage filings for the county. Since 2019, Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. The Autauga County Probate Judge and staff help with new filings and copies of old records. This county has records going back to 1820. Prattville is the county seat and the only Probate Court location in Autauga County.

Autauga County Probate Court

The Autauga County Probate Court handles all marriage filings. The office is in Prattville. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can also find copies of past records. The Probate Judge runs this office. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Autauga County has used computers for records since November 1996. This makes recent records easy to find. Older records are on paper. Staff can still search them but it takes more time. Call ahead if you need a record from before 1996. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. There is no more marriage license. There is no required ceremony. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it at the Probate Court. That is all you need to do to get married in Autauga County.

Get the marriage certificate form first. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. There are two versions. Adults age 18 and up use one form. Minors age 16 to 17 with parental consent use another. Pick the right one. Fill it out with names, dates of birth, and other facts. Both parties must sign the form.

You must sign in front of an Alabama notary. This is key. Out-of-state notaries do not work. The Autauga County Probate Court has a notary on staff. You can use their notary for a small fee. Or find any Alabama notary in your area. Banks, shipping stores, and law offices often have notaries.

Bring the signed form to the Autauga County Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $77 recording fee. The clerk will record the form. You are now married. The marriage date is the date of the last signature, not the filing date.

Per Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, you must meet these rules:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons aged 16 or 17 need notarized parental consent
• Both parties must have mental and legal capacity
• Neither party can be already married
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives
• If divorced, you must wait 60 days before remarrying

Autauga County Marriage Fees

The Autauga County Probate Court charges fees for marriage services. The main fee is for recording your marriage certificate. Copy fees are extra. Call ahead to check current rates. Fees can change.

Current fees at the Autauga County Probate Court include:

• Marriage certificate recording: $77
• Certified copy: $3 per page
• Additional copies: $3 per page
• Notary service: small fee (ask at office)

The court accepts cash, checks, and cards. Some cards may have a service fee. Ask when you arrive. If you order from the state instead, the fee is $15 for a search plus one copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek online orders cost about $30 total with fees.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Autauga County marriage records are public. Anyone can get a copy. You do not need to be related. You do not need to state a reason. Just ask for what you need and pay the fee.

For copies at the county, visit the Probate Court in Prattville. Bring the names of both spouses and the date of marriage if you know it. Staff will search the records. In-person requests are usually same-day. You can also call or write to ask about mail requests. Recent records from 1996 on are quick to find. Older records take more time.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has records from August 1936 to now. Mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for a search and one copy. You can order online at VitalChek but it costs about $30 total. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public and unrestricted. This means anyone can get a copy for any reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Autauga County has marriage records from 1820. The county was formed in 1818 from Montgomery County. Early records are on paper and may be hard to read. Handwriting styles have changed over the years.

Old records before 1888 show basic info. They list names of the bride and groom. They name the bondsmen and officiant. They show the bond amount and marriage date. That is about all. These records are short compared to modern ones.

Records from 1910 on have more detail. They list parents of both parties. They include ages and occupations. They note how many times each person was married before. This info is useful for family history research.

The Autauga County Probate Court has the original records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. You can search these to find a record before you request a copy. The Alabama Department of Archives in Montgomery has some microfilm copies too.

State Records Option

You can get marriage records from the state too. The Alabama Department of Public Health keeps records from August 1936 to now. This is an option if you cannot go to Prattville. It also helps if you are not sure which county has the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. You can order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Online orders cost about $30 total. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. Online orders ship in 3 to 5 days.

If you need a copy for international use, get an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State can add an apostille to your certified copy. This costs $5 per document. Visit sos.alabama.gov for details.

Cities in Autauga County

Autauga County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Autauga County Probate Court in Prattville. There is one office for the whole county.

Cities in Autauga County include Prattville, Autaugaville, Billingsley, Booth, Jones, Marbury, Pine Level, and White Hall. Prattville is the largest city and the county seat. All Autauga County residents use the Prattville Probate Court for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Autauga County. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county. But most people use their home county. Check your address if you live near a county line.