Butler County Marriage Records

Butler County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Greenville. This south-central Alabama county has about 19,000 residents. The Butler County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Since Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019, you no longer need a license or ceremony. Couples complete a marriage certificate form, get it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The court also keeps historical records and provides certified copies to anyone who asks.

Butler County Probate Court

The Butler County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. It is located at the courthouse in Greenville. The Probate Judge oversees this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Butler County has a special schedule. The office closes early on Wednesday. Plan your visit for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday for full hours. If you must come on Wednesday, arrive before noon. Call ahead if you have questions about hours or services.

The courthouse sits on Court Square in downtown Greenville. Parking is free on the street and in nearby lots. The Probate Court is inside the main building. Signs will direct you to the right office. Staff are friendly and can help answer questions about the marriage process in Butler County.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Butler County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019 under Act 2019-340. The state did away with marriage licenses. A ceremony is no longer required. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That is all you need to do.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two versions. One is for adults age 18 and up. One is for minors age 16 to 17 with parental consent. Choose the form that fits your situation. Fill it out with names, dates of birth, and other facts.

Next, both parties must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on separate days. The date of the last signature is your legal marriage date. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Notaries from other states will not work. The Butler County Probate Court has notary services. There may be a small extra fee.

Then take the signed form to the Probate Court in Greenville. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $70 recording fee. The court accepts cash, checks, and some cards. The clerk records your form and gives you a receipt. You are now legally married in Butler County.

Butler County has one of the lowest recording fees in Alabama. The $70 fee is tied with Tuscaloosa and Crenshaw as the cheapest in the state. This makes Butler County a popular choice for couples who want to save money on filing costs.

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

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

Butler County Marriage Fees

Butler County has clear and low fees for marriage services. The county charges $70 to record a marriage certificate. This is one of the lowest fees in Alabama. Many couples choose Butler County because of the savings. The fee is the same for all couples, whether they live in the county or not.

Here are the main fees at the Butler County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $70.00
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page
• Additional certified copies: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: varies (call ahead)

If you want a state copy, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek online orders run about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 forward. For older Butler County records, contact the Probate Court directly.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Getting copies of Butler County marriage records is easy. You can get them from the county or the state. The Probate Court has the original documents. The state has copies of records from 1936 forward.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Greenville. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search the records and make copies. Most in-person requests are done the same day. You can also call or write to request copies by mail. Remember that the office closes at noon on Wednesday.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. 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 for faster service. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days but costs more.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public records. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. You do not need to explain why you want it. Marriage records in Alabama are open to all.

Historical Marriage Records

Butler County was formed in 1819. It is one of Alabama's oldest counties. Marriage records go back to the county's earliest years. The Probate Court keeps these old records. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

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

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They began to list parents' names. Physical descriptions were added. Age, occupation, and number of past marriages appeared. These details help with genealogy and family history research.

For research in Butler County, check online indexes first. FamilySearch and Ancestry have marriage indexes that can help you find a record. Then contact the Probate Court to get the actual document. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have microfilm copies too.

State Records Alternative

You can get marriage records from the Alabama Department of Public Health as well. The state keeps records from August 1936 to today. This option works if you cannot visit Greenville or are not sure which county holds the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Request by mail at P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. You can also use VitalChek online. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders arrive faster but cost about $30 total.

For records before 1936, contact the Butler County Probate Court. The state does not have older records. Butler County has records going back to 1819. Staff at the Probate Court can help with historical record searches.

Cities in Butler County

Butler County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Butler County Probate Court in Greenville. The main communities are Greenville, Georgiana, and McKenzie. 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 Butler County. Check your address to see which county you are in if you live near a line. You can file in any Alabama county, but many people use their home county.