Search Choctaw County Marriage Records

Choctaw County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Butler. This rural county in southwest Alabama has about 12,600 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Choctaw County. You can file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records at this office. Choctaw County has kept marriage records since the county was formed in 1847.

Choctaw County Probate Court

The Choctaw County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge oversees this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or find old records. The office is in Butler, the county seat. This is the only place in Choctaw County to file your marriage.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring. Staff can help you with the filing process. Choctaw County is named for the Choctaw Native American tribe.

The county was formed in 1847 from parts of Sumter and Washington counties. It sits along the Alabama-Mississippi border. The county has kept marriage records since its early days. These records are useful for family history research. Many families have roots here going back generations.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Choctaw County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. You no longer need a license. A ceremony is optional. Marriage is now a contract between two people. You sign a form and file it. That is all it takes.

First, get the form. Download it from the state site at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two versions. One is for adults 18 and over. One is for teens 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the right one. Fill in names, birth dates, and other facts.

Both people must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The marriage date is when the last person signs. You must sign before an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries do not count. The Choctaw County Probate Court may have notaries on staff. Call ahead to ask.

Take the signed form to the Probate Court in Butler. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk will record your form. You are now married in Alabama. The process is quick once you have the signed form.

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

• Both parties must be 18 or older
• People aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity
• Neither can be married already
• The parties cannot be closely related

Choctaw County Marriage Fees

Choctaw County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Fees can change, so call to confirm. The Probate Court accepts checks for payment. Ask about other methods when you visit.

The main fees are:

• Marriage certificate recording: approximately $75
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page
• Additional copies: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: varies

The recording fee covers filing your certificate. It may include one certified copy. If you need more copies later, return to the Probate Court. Each page costs $3 to certify.

You can also get state copies. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies cost $6. VitalChek orders run about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older records, use the Choctaw County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get Choctaw County marriage record copies in several ways. Pick the method that works best for you. It depends on how fast you need the copy and what type you need.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Butler. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records. In-person requests are usually same-day. You can also call about mail requests. The office can explain what to send.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. You can order online at vitalchek.com too. This adds a service fee. The state has records from 1936 forward. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be on the record. You do not need to state a reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Choctaw County has marriage records from 1847. That is when the county was formed. Old records contain different facts than new ones. What you find depends on the date.

Records before 1888 show basic info. Names of the bride and groom appear. Bondsmen who vouched for the couple are listed. The officiant is named. Marriage dates and license bonds are shown. These old records are handwritten. They can be hard to read.

After 1910, records got more detail. Parents' names were added. Physical descriptions appeared. Age, job, and prior marriages were included. These facts help with family research.

For old records, start at the Choctaw County Probate Court. FamilySearch and Ancestry have online indexes. These help you find a record before you ask for a copy. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some Choctaw County records on microfilm. This can be useful for very old marriages.

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 works if you cannot visit Butler. It also helps if you do not know which county the marriage was in.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Request by mail or online. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 business days but costs about $30.

For records before 1936, you must use the Choctaw County Probate Court. The state does not have older records. Contact the Probate Court in Butler for historical record help.

Cities in Choctaw County

Choctaw County has a few small cities and towns. All file marriage certificates at the Choctaw County Probate Court in Butler. There are no cities in Choctaw County over 50,000 in population.

Towns in Choctaw County include Butler, Gilbertown, Lisman, Pennington, Silas, and Toxey. All residents file their marriage certificates at the Probate Court in Butler. No matter where you live in the county, Butler is your office for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Choctaw County. Check your address if you live near a county line. You can file your marriage in any Alabama county. Most people use their home county, but you have options.

Choctaw County also borders the state of Mississippi to the west. If you live near the state line, make sure your address is in Alabama before filing at the Choctaw County Probate Court.