Bibb County Marriage Records Search

Bibb County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Centreville. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for the county. Since 2019, Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples sign a form and file it with the court. Bibb County has marriage records going back to 1818. The county is named for William Wyatt Bibb, Alabama's first governor. Staff can help you file a new marriage or find copies of old records.

Bibb County Probate Court

The Bibb County Probate Court handles all marriages. The office is in Centreville at the courthouse. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can find old records too. The Probate Judge runs this office.

Bibb County has had computerized records since 1996. This makes recent records quick to find. Older records are on paper. Staff can still search them. It just takes more time. Call ahead if you need an old record. The office is closed weekends and state holidays.

Bibb County has an online search for records from 1996 on. You can check for a record before you visit. But you must go in person or mail a request to get copies. The online search is just for looking up what exists.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. No license required now. No ceremony required either. Marriage is just a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That makes you married in Bibb County.

First get the form. Download it from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. One for adults 18 and up. One for minors 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the right one for you.

Fill out the form with both names. Add dates of birth and other facts. Both parties sign. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary. This is required by law. Out-of-state notaries do not work in Alabama. The Bibb County Probate Court has a notary you can use. There may be a small fee. Banks and shipping stores also have notaries.

Take the signed form to the Probate Court in Centreville. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call ahead to check the current amount. The clerk records the form. You are now married. The date of marriage is when you signed, not when you filed.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, these rules apply:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons 16 or 17 need notarized parental consent
• Both must have mental and legal capacity
• Neither can be already married
• Parties cannot be close blood relatives
• Wait 60 days after a divorce to remarry

Bibb County Marriage Fees

Bibb County charges fees for marriage services. Call the Probate Court to check current fees. Fees can change. Most Alabama counties charge $70 to $90 for recording a marriage.

Typical fees you might expect:

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

The court accepts cash and checks. Ask about cards when you call. State copies from ADPH cost $15 for search and one copy. Extra copies are $6. VitalChek online is about $30 total with fees.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Bibb 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 and pay.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Centreville. Bibb County has online search for records from 1996 on. Check there first. Then visit or mail a request for copies. Bring names of both spouses. Bring the date if you know it. Staff will make copies. In-person is often same-day.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has records from August 1936 to now. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15. Order online at VitalChek for about $30. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21 makes marriage records public. Anyone can request copies.

Historical Marriage Records

Bibb County has marriage records from 1818. The county was formed in 1818 from Montgomery County. It is one of Alabama's original counties. Old records are on paper and may be hard to read.

Records before 1888 show basic facts. Names of bride and groom. The officiant and bondsmen. The bond amount and date. Not much more. These early records are short.

Records from 1910 on have more detail. Parents of both parties. Ages and occupations. Number of prior marriages. This info is useful for family history research.

The Bibb County Probate Court has originals. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes. Search there first. Then ask the court for copies. The Alabama Archives in Montgomery has some microfilm too.

State Records Option

You can get records from the state too. The Alabama Department of Public Health has records from August 1936 on. This is an option if you cannot go to Centreville. It helps if you do not know which county has the record.

State copies cost $15 for search and one copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 for help. Order at vitalchek.com for about $30. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

Need an apostille for foreign use? The Alabama Secretary of State can add one. It costs $5 per document. Go to sos.alabama.gov for info.

Cities in Bibb County

Bibb County has a few cities and towns. All file marriage certificates at the Probate Court in Centreville. There is one office for the whole county.

Cities and towns in Bibb County include Centreville, Brent, West Blocton, and Woodstock. Centreville is the county seat. All Bibb County residents use the Centreville Probate Court for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

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