Find Clarke County Marriage Records

Clarke County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Grove Hill. This southwest Alabama county has about 23,000 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Clarke County. You can file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records here. Clarke County has marriage records going back to 1812, before Alabama was even a state.

Clarke County Probate Court

The Clarke County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge runs this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can also help you find old records. The office is in Grove Hill, the county seat.

This is the only place in Clarke 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. Staff can tell you what documents to bring.

Clarke County is one of Alabama's oldest counties. It was formed in 1812 as part of the Mississippi Territory. The county predates Alabama statehood by seven years. This means Clarke County has some of the oldest marriage records in the state. Family history researchers often find valuable information here.

The county offers e-recording through Tradition Lien Service. This can speed up some document filings. Ask the Probate Court about electronic options when you call.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Clarke County is straightforward. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. Licenses are gone. Ceremonies are optional. Marriage is now just a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the county. That is all.

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 who are 18 or older. The other is for people aged 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the form that fits your situation.

Fill out the form completely. Enter both names, birth dates, and other required facts. Both people must then sign the form. You can sign on the same day or different days. The marriage date is when the last person signs. You must sign before an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries do not work in Alabama.

Take the signed form to the Probate Court in Grove Hill. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk will process your form. You are now married. It is a quick process if you have everything ready.

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

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

Clarke County Marriage Fees

Clarke County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and copies. Fees may change, so call to verify current rates. The Probate Court accepts checks for payment. Ask about other methods when you visit.

The standard 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 often includes one certified copy. Need more copies? Return to the Probate Court. Each page costs $3 to certify. Ask about notary fees if you need that service.

State copies are also available. 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. The state has records from August 1936 to today.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get Clarke County marriage record copies in a few ways. The best method depends on your needs. Consider how fast you need the copy and what type you need.

For county copies, go to the Probate Court in Grove Hill. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search the records. In-person requests are usually same-day. Mail requests may also be an option. Call the office to ask about this.

For state copies, use the Alabama Department of Public Health. The mail address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. Online orders go through vitalchek.com. This adds a service fee. The state has records from 1936 to present. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public documents. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be named on the record. No reason is required for your request.

Historical Marriage Records

Clarke County has marriage records from 1812. This makes it one of the best counties for historical research. Records from different eras contain different facts.

Early records from before 1888 are basic. They show the bride and groom names. Bondsmen names often appear. The officiant is listed. Marriage dates and license bonds are included. These records are handwritten. The old script can be difficult to read. Some documents may be damaged or faded.

Records after 1910 include more detail. Parents' names were added. Physical descriptions became standard. Age, occupation, and prior marriages were recorded. This extra information helps family researchers trace their roots in Clarke County.

For historical records, start at the Clarke County Probate Court. Online databases like FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes. Use these to find a record before requesting a copy. The Alabama Department of Archives and History holds Clarke County records on microfilm. This is helpful for very old marriages.

State Records Alternative

You can get marriage records from the state level too. The Alabama Department of Public Health stores records from August 1936 to today. This is useful if you cannot visit Grove Hill. It also works if you do not know which county holds the record.

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

For records before August 1936, use the Clarke County Probate Court. The state does not keep records that old. The Probate Court in Grove Hill can help with historical records dating back to 1812.

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County has several cities and towns. All residents file marriage certificates at the Clarke County Probate Court in Grove Hill. There are no cities in Clarke County with population over 50,000.

Towns in Clarke County include Grove Hill, Jackson, Thomasville, Coffeeville, and Fulton. All marriage filings go through the Probate Court in Grove Hill. No matter where you live in the county, this is your office for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clarke County. If you live near a county line, verify your address. You can file your marriage in any Alabama county, though most people use their home county.