Baldwin County Marriage Records

Baldwin County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Bay Minette. This is Alabama's largest county by land area. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Since 2019, Alabama no longer requires a marriage license. Couples sign a form and file it with the court. Baldwin County has marriage records going back many years. The main Probate Court is in Bay Minette, the county seat. Marriage filings must be done at this location.

Baldwin County Probate Court

The Baldwin County Probate Court records all marriages. The office is in Bay Minette at the courthouse. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can find copies of old records too. The Probate Judge runs this office.

Baldwin County has four Probate Court satellite offices. But there is a key point. You can only file marriage certificates at the Bay Minette location. The other offices handle tags and other services. They do not handle marriages. Make sure you go to Bay Minette for marriage filings.

The Bay Minette office is open weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you have questions about wait times or need to check on services.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing for marriage in Baldwin County is simple. Alabama changed its laws in 2019. There is no marriage license. There is no required wedding ceremony. Marriage is a contract now. Two people sign a form and file it. That makes you married in Baldwin County.

Start by getting the form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. There are two forms. One is for adults age 18 and up. One is for minors age 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the right one for your case.

Fill out the form with both names. Include dates of birth and other facts. Both parties must sign. You have to sign in front of an Alabama notary public. This is required. Out-of-state notaries do not count. The Baldwin County Probate Court has notaries on staff. You can use them for a small fee. Many banks and shipping stores also have Alabama notaries.

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Bay Minette. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $79 recording fee. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married. The marriage date is the date of the last signature.

Under 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 already be married
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives
• If recently divorced, wait 60 days before remarrying

Baldwin County Marriage Fees

Baldwin County charges fees for marriage filings and copies. The main fee is for recording your marriage certificate. Fees can change so call ahead to check current rates.

Current fees at the Baldwin County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $79
• Certified copy: $3 per page
• Additional copies: $3 per page
• Notary service: small fee (ask at office)

The court takes cash, checks, and cards. Credit cards may have a small service charge. Ask when you get there. You can also get copies from the state. The state fee is $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies cost $6. VitalChek online orders are about $30 total with service fees.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Marriage records in Baldwin County are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

For county copies, go to the Probate Court in Bay Minette. Bring the names of both spouses. Bring the marriage date if you know it. Staff will search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. You can ask about mail requests by calling the office. Recent records are easy to find. Older records may 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 also order online at VitalChek for about $30 total. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. Online orders ship in 3 to 5 days.

Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21 says marriage records are public. This is state law. Anyone can get a copy for any purpose.

Historical Marriage Records

Baldwin County has kept marriage records for a long time. The county was formed in 1809 from Washington County. It is one of the oldest counties in Alabama. Old records may be on paper and hard to read.

Records before 1888 are basic. They show names of the bride and groom. They list the officiant and bondsmen. They include the bond amount and marriage date. That is about all. These old records are short.

Records from 1910 on have more details. They list both parents. They note ages and occupations. They show how many times each person was married before. This info helps with family history research.

The Baldwin County Probate Court has the original records. Online sites like FamilySearch and Ancestry have some indexes. You can search there first. Then ask the Probate Court for a copy. The Alabama Archives in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some old records too.

State Records Option

You can get marriage records from the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health keeps records from August 1936 to now. This is useful if you cannot travel to Bay Minette. It also helps if you do not know which county has the record.

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

For international use, you may need an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State adds apostilles to certified copies. This costs $5 per document. Go to sos.alabama.gov for more info.

Cities in Baldwin County

Baldwin County is Alabama's largest county by area. It has many cities and towns. All residents file marriage certificates at the Probate Court in Bay Minette. There is no other location for marriage filings in Baldwin County.

Major cities in Baldwin County include Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Loxley, and Spanish Fort. All of these use the Bay Minette Probate Court for marriages. The county stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama River.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Baldwin County. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county. Most people use their home county. Check your address if you live near a county line.