Search Bullock County Marriage Records

Bullock County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Union Springs. This small rural county in southeast Alabama has about 10,100 residents. The Bullock County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for the county. Under Alabama's 2019 law, you no longer need a marriage license. Couples sign a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The court also stores historical marriage records and issues certified copies to anyone who requests them.

Bullock County Probate Court

The Bullock County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. It is in Union Springs, the county seat. The Probate Judge runs this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can also search for old records and make copies. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours.

Bullock County is a small, rural county. The Probate Court has limited online services. You should call ahead to check hours. Staff can tell you what to bring and answer questions. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Plan your visit during the week.

The county courthouse is easy to find. It sits on the main street in downtown Union Springs. Parking is free on the street and in nearby lots. The Probate Court is inside the main courthouse building. Ask at the front if you need help finding the right office.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Bullock County is easy. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. The state got rid of marriage licenses. You no longer need a ceremony. Marriage is a contract now. Two people sign a form and file it at the Probate Court. That is all you need to do to be legally married.

Start by getting the form. You can download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. One is for adults 18 and over. One is for minors age 16 to 17 who have a parent's consent. Pick the form that fits your case. Fill it out with names, dates of birth, and other required info.

Both parties must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The date of the last signature is your marriage date. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries are not accepted. The Bullock County Probate Court may have a notary on staff. Call ahead to make sure or bring your own notary.

Take the signed form to the Probate Court in Union Springs. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call the office to check the current fee. Cash and checks are usually accepted. The clerk will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Bullock County.

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

• Both parties must be 18 or older
• Persons 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can be married already
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives

Bullock County Marriage Fees

Bullock County charges fees for recording marriage certificates. There are also fees for copies. Call the Probate Court to get the current rates. Fees can change, so it is best to check before you visit. The office usually accepts cash and checks.

Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $85 to record a marriage certificate. Bullock County fees are in this typical range. A certified copy usually costs $3 to $5 per page. The Probate Court can tell you exact amounts when you call.

If you want a copy from the state, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15. That fee covers a search and one certified copy. Each extra copy costs $6. You can order online through VitalChek for about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older records, you must use the Bullock County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Bullock County marriage records in a few ways. The Probate Court has the original records. The state has copies of records from 1936 forward. Pick the option that works best for you.

For county copies, go to the Probate Court in Union Springs. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often done the same day. You can also call and ask about mail requests. Bullock County has limited online services, so you may need to visit in person or send a written request.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. You can also order online at vitalchek.com which adds a service fee. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days to process.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not have to be related to the people on the record. You do not have to give a reason for the request. Marriage records in Alabama are open to all.

Historical Marriage Records

Bullock County was formed in 1866. Marriage records go back to the county's earliest years. The Probate Court stores these old records. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 show basic facts. They include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the minister or judge who led the ceremony. They show the license bond and marriage date. Old records are often handwritten and can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, Alabama records got more detailed. They began to include names of parents. Physical descriptions were added. Age, job, and number of past marriages appeared. These details are helpful for family history research.

For genealogy research in Bullock County, check FamilySearch and Ancestry. They have indexes that can help you find a record. Then request the actual document from the Probate Court. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have microfilm copies as well.

State Records Alternative

You can also get marriage records from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has records from August 1936 to today. This is a good option if you cannot visit Union Springs or if you are not sure which county holds the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. You can request by mail or online through VitalChek. The state mailing address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders ship faster but cost about $30 total.

For records before 1936, you must contact the Bullock County Probate Court directly. The state does not have older records. The county has records going back to 1866. Contact the Probate Court in Union Springs for historical record requests.

Cities in Bullock County

Bullock County has a small number of cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Bullock County Probate Court in Union Springs. The main communities include Union Springs, Midway, and Perote. None of these cities have populations over 50,000, so they do not have separate pages on this site. All residents use the county Probate Court for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bullock County. If you live near a county line, check your address to see which county you are in. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county, but many people choose their home county.