Find Calhoun County Marriage Records

Calhoun County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Anniston. This northeast Alabama county has over 116,000 residents. The Calhoun County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings and keeps historical marriage records. Under Alabama's 2019 marriage law, couples no longer need a license or ceremony. They complete a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The court also provides certified copies of old and new marriage records to anyone who requests them.

Calhoun County Probate Court

The Calhoun County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. It is located at the courthouse in Anniston. The Probate Judge oversees this office. Staff help people file new marriage certificates and search for old records. Walk-ins are welcome during normal business hours.

Calhoun County is one of the larger counties in northeast Alabama. The Probate Court has online services for some record searches. You can search property and some court records online. For marriage certificates, you need to visit in person or call the office. The staff can guide you through the process.

The county courthouse is on Noble Street in downtown Anniston. Free parking is available nearby. The Probate Court office is on the first floor. Signs in the lobby point you to the right room. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Note that Calhoun County has the highest marriage recording fee in Alabama. At $104, it costs more than any other county. If the fee is a concern, nearby counties like Cherokee or Cleburne's neighbors may cost less. But you can file in any Alabama county, so weigh your options.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Calhoun County follows the state process. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Marriage licenses are gone. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is a contract now. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be legally married.

Start by getting the form. 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 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the form that matches your case. Fill it out with names, dates of birth, and other required facts.

Both people must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or different days. The date of the last signature becomes your marriage date. Sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Only Alabama notaries are accepted. The Calhoun County Probate Court has notary services if you need them. There may be a small extra charge.

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Anniston. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $104 recording fee. Yes, this is the highest fee in Alabama. The court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. The clerk records your form and gives you a receipt. You are now legally married in Calhoun County.

If the $104 fee seems high, keep in mind you can file in any Alabama county. Some nearby counties charge less. But Calhoun County offers good services and has online record access. Many couples choose to file here despite the fee.

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 must have mental capacity to agree
• Neither can be married to another person
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives

Calhoun County Marriage Fees

Calhoun County has the highest marriage recording fee in Alabama. At $104, it costs more than any other county in the state. Most counties charge between $70 and $90. The high fee in Calhoun County is set by local policy. Call ahead to confirm current rates.

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

• Marriage certificate recording: $104.00 (highest in Alabama)
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page
• Additional certified copies: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: varies (ask staff)

For comparison, nearby Cherokee County charges about $75. Butler and Tuscaloosa counties charge $70. If the fee matters to you, consider filing in another county. Alabama lets you file in any county, not just your home county.

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

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

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

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Anniston. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search the records and make copies. In-person requests are usually done the same day. Calhoun County has some online record access. Visit the county website to search available records. You may be able to view records online before ordering copies.

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 order online at vitalchek.com for faster service. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

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

Historical Marriage Records

Calhoun County was formed in 1832 as Benton County. It was renamed to Calhoun County in 1858. Marriage records go back to the county's early years. The Probate Court stores these historical 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 bond amount and wedding date. Old records are handwritten and can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, Alabama records got more detailed. They began to include names of parents. Physical descriptions of both parties were added. Age, job, and number of past marriages appeared. These facts help with family history research in Calhoun County.

For genealogy work, check FamilySearch and Ancestry first. They have marriage indexes online. Find the record you need, then contact the Probate Court for the actual document. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have microfilm copies of old Calhoun County records as well.

Note for Cleburne County Residents

If you live in Cleburne County, you cannot file a marriage certificate there. Cleburne County does not offer marriage recording services. The Calhoun County Probate Court is a nearby option. Other choices include Clay County, Randolph County, and Cherokee County. All of these border Cleburne County and will accept your filing.

Calhoun County is often chosen by Cleburne residents despite the higher fee. Anniston is easy to reach from most of Cleburne County. The Probate Court staff are used to helping people from neighboring counties who cannot file locally.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health also has marriage records. The state keeps records from August 1936 to today. This is useful if you cannot visit Anniston or are not sure which county holds a record.

State copies cost $15 for a search and 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 if you have questions. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders arrive faster but cost about $30 total.

For records before 1936, contact the Calhoun County Probate Court directly. The state does not have older records. Calhoun County (formerly Benton County) has records from the 1830s forward.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County has many cities and towns. All file marriage certificates at the Calhoun County Probate Court in Anniston. Major communities include Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Piedmont, and Weaver. 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 Calhoun County. If you live near a county line, check your address. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county. Some of these counties charge less than Calhoun's $104 fee.