Access Cherokee County Marriage Records

Cherokee County marriage records are filed at the Probate Court in Centre. This northeast Alabama county has about 25,000 residents and borders Georgia. The Cherokee County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings and maintains historical records. Under Alabama's 2019 marriage law, couples no longer need a license. They complete a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The court also issues certified copies to anyone who requests them.

Cherokee County Probate Court

The Cherokee County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. It is in Centre, the county seat. The Probate Judge runs this office. Staff help people file new marriage certificates and search for old records. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours.

Cherokee County has some online services. You can search certain records on the county website. For marriage certificates, visit in person or call the office. Staff are helpful and can answer questions about the process. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

The courthouse is on Cedar Bluff Road in Centre. Free parking is available in the lot. The Probate Court office is on the first floor. Look for signs that point you to the right room. Centre is a small town, so the courthouse is easy to find.

Cherokee County is a good option for residents of Cleburne County, which does not record marriages. If you live in Cleburne County and need to file, Cherokee County is one of your closest choices. Staff are used to helping people from neighboring counties.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Cherokee County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. The state got rid of marriage licenses. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is a contract now. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all you need to do 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 available. One is for adults 18 and over. One is for minors 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 facts.

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 legal marriage date. Sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries are not accepted. The Cherokee County Probate Court may have notary services. Call ahead to check or bring your own notary.

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Centre. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call to check the current amount. The clerk records your form and gives you a receipt. You are now legally married in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County fees are lower than some nearby counties. Calhoun County charges $104. Cherokee County charges less. Call to confirm the exact fee. If cost matters to you, Cherokee County is a budget-friendly choice for filing your marriage certificate.

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
• Neither party can be married to someone else
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives

Cherokee County Marriage Fees

Cherokee County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Call the Probate Court to get current rates. Fees can change, so it is smart to check before you visit. The office usually accepts cash and checks. Ask about card options when you call.

Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $85 to record a marriage certificate. Cherokee County fees are in the typical range. A certified copy usually costs $3 per page. The staff can tell you exact amounts when you contact them.

Cherokee County has lower fees than neighboring Calhoun County, which charges $104. This makes Cherokee County a good option if you want to save money. You can file in any Alabama county, not just your home county.

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

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Cherokee County marriage records in a few 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 Centre. 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. Cherokee County has some online access for records. Check the county website to see if you can search before visiting.

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. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. You do not need a reason. Marriage records in Alabama are open to everyone.

Historical Marriage Records

Cherokee County was formed in 1836. Some early records were lost in courthouse fires and floods. Records from 1882 forward are more complete. The Probate Court keeps these historical documents. 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 marriage 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 were added. Age, job, and number of past marriages appeared. These facts help with genealogy and family history research in Cherokee County.

For research, 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 Cherokee County records.

Note for Cleburne County Residents

If you live in Cleburne County, Cherokee County is one of your options for filing a marriage certificate. Cleburne County does not offer marriage recording services. Cherokee County borders Cleburne and will accept your filing. The drive to Centre is not long from most parts of Cleburne County.

Other options include Calhoun County, Clay County, and Randolph County. All of these border Cleburne. Cherokee County has lower fees than Calhoun County, which charges $104. If cost is a factor, Cherokee County is a good choice for Cleburne residents.

State Records Alternative

You can also get marriage records from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state keeps records from August 1936 to today. This is a good option if you cannot visit Centre or are not sure which county holds a 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 ship faster but cost about $30 total.

For records before 1936, contact the Cherokee County Probate Court. The state does not have older records. Cherokee County has records from 1882 forward. Staff can help with historical searches.

Cities in Cherokee County

Cherokee County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Cherokee County Probate Court in Centre. Major communities include Centre, Leesburg, Cedar Bluff, Sand Rock, and Gaylesville. 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 Cherokee 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. Cherokee County also borders Georgia.

Cherokee County also borders Floyd County and Chattooga County in Georgia. Georgia has a different marriage system. If you live in Georgia and want to use Alabama's simple process, you can file in Cherokee County or another Alabama county.