Access Blount County Marriage Records

Blount County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court. The main office is in Oneonta, the county seat. There is also an annex office in Hayden. The 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. Blount County has records going back to 1820. Staff can help you file a new marriage or find old records.

Blount County Probate Court

The Blount County Probate Court handles all marriages. There are two office locations. The main office is in Oneonta. There is also an annex in Hayden. Call ahead to check which office handles marriage filings. The main Oneonta office does for sure.

Staff at the Probate Court can help with new filings. They can find old records too. The Probate Judge runs these offices. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Both offices are closed weekends and state holidays.

Blount County has marriage records from 1820. This is two years after the county formed. Old records are on paper. Recent records may be in the computer system. Staff can search both for you.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. No license is needed now. No ceremony is required. Marriage is a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That is all it takes to get married in Blount County.

Get the marriage form first. Download it from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. Adults 18 and up use one form. Minors 16 to 17 use another with parental consent. Pick the right one.

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

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court. The Oneonta office handles marriage filings. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $87 recording fee. The clerk will record your form. You are now legally married in Blount County. The marriage date is the date of the last signature.

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

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

Blount County Marriage Fees

Blount County charges fees for marriage services. The main fee is for recording your marriage certificate. Copy fees are extra. Call ahead to confirm rates. Fees can change.

Current fees at the Blount County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $87
• Certified copy: $3 per page
• Additional copies: $3 per page
• Notary service: small fee (ask at office)

The court takes cash, checks, and cards. Cards may have a service fee. Ask when you arrive. State copies through ADPH cost $15 for search and one copy. Extra copies are $6. VitalChek online is about $30 total.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Blount County marriage records are public. Anyone can get a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. No reason is required.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Oneonta. Bring names of both spouses. Bring the date if you know it. Staff will search the records. They can make copies on the spot. In-person requests are often same-day. You can call to ask about mail requests. Recent records are quick. Old records take more time.

For state copies, use 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 for search and one copy. Order at VitalChek for about $30. 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. Anyone can request copies for any reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Blount County has records from 1820. The county was formed in 1818. Early records are on paper. The handwriting can be hard to read. Staff may need extra time for old records.

Records before 1888 show basic info. Names of bride and groom. The officiant and bondsmen. Bond amount and date. These old records are short compared to today.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They list parents of both parties. They include ages and occupations. They show prior marriages. This helps with family history research in Blount County.

The Probate Court has the original records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have some indexes online. Search there first. Then ask the court for copies. The Alabama Archives in Montgomery has microfilm of some old records.

State Records Option

You can get records from the state too. The Alabama Department of Public Health has records from August 1936 to now. This is useful if you cannot visit Oneonta. 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. Visit sos.alabama.gov for info.

Cities in Blount County

Blount County has several cities and towns. All file marriage certificates at the Probate Court. The main office in Oneonta handles marriage filings.

Cities in Blount County include Oneonta, Hayden, Cleveland, Blountsville, Locust Fork, Susan Moore, and Altoona. Oneonta is the county seat and largest city. All Blount County residents use the Oneonta Probate Court for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

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