Cleburne County Marriage Records

Cleburne County does not record marriage certificates. This is the only county in Alabama that does not offer this service. If you live in Cleburne County and want to get married, you must file your marriage certificate in a neighboring county. This page explains your options and how to complete the process.

Why Cleburne County Does Not Record Marriages

Cleburne County stopped recording marriages some years ago. The Probate Court in Heflin handles many county services. However, marriage recording is not one of them. This situation is unique in Alabama. Every other county in the state records marriages.

The reason is not entirely clear. Some small counties have limited staff and resources. The Cleburne County Probate Court chose to focus on other services. Whatever the reason, the result is the same. You cannot file a marriage certificate in Cleburne County.

This does not mean you cannot get married. It just means you file in another county. Alabama law lets you file your marriage certificate in any county. You do not have to live there. You do not have to get married there. You just file the paperwork there. The marriage is still valid no matter which county you use.

Many Cleburne County residents use one of four neighboring counties. Each one is a short drive from Heflin. All of them accept marriage filings from Cleburne County residents. You pay the same fees as their own residents.

Where Cleburne County Residents Can File

If you live in Cleburne County, you have four good options for filing your marriage certificate. Each neighboring county offers marriage recording services. Pick the one that works best for you.

Calhoun County

Calhoun County is west of Cleburne County. The county seat is Anniston. This is a larger county with more services. The drive from Heflin to Anniston is about 25 miles.

Clay County

Clay County is south of Cleburne County. The county seat is Ashland. This is a smaller county with a rural feel. The drive from Heflin to Ashland is about 20 miles.

Randolph County

Randolph County is east of Cleburne County. The county seat is Wedowee. This county has an online marriage certificate completion option. The drive from Heflin to Wedowee is about 30 miles.

Cherokee County

Cherokee County is north of Cleburne County. The county seat is Centre. This county has good online records access. The drive from Heflin to Centre is about 25 miles.

How to File Your Marriage Certificate

The process is the same no matter which county you use. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. No license is needed. Ceremonies are optional. Marriage is a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That is all.

First, get the form. Download it from the state site at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. 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 work. You can find notaries at banks, law offices, and shipping stores. Some Probate Courts have notaries on staff.

Take the signed form to the Probate Court in your chosen county. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk records your form. You are now married in Alabama. The marriage is valid even though you live in Cleburne County.

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

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

Fee Comparison

Each county sets its own fees. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide where to file. Note that Calhoun County has the highest fee in Alabama. The other three counties have similar rates.

Most Cleburne County residents pick Clay County or Cherokee County. These have lower fees and short drives. Call ahead to confirm current fees before you go. Fees can change.

Getting Copies of Marriage Records

If you filed your marriage in a neighboring county, request copies from that same county. The Probate Court that recorded your marriage keeps the record. Contact them for certified copies.

You can also get copies from the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health has records from August 1936 to today. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. The fee is $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies are $6 each.

Online orders go through vitalchek.com. This costs about $30 total with service fees. Orders ship in 3 to 5 business days. Mail requests take 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. No reason is required.

Historical Marriage Records

Cleburne County has some historical marriage records from when the county did offer this service. If you need an old record, contact the Cleburne County Probate Court in Heflin. They may be able to help with historical requests.

The county was formed in 1866 from parts of Benton, Calhoun, Randolph, and Talladega counties. It is named for Confederate General Patrick Cleburne. Early marriage records may exist from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ask the Probate Court what they have.

For records from August 1936 forward, you can also check with the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state keeps copies of all marriage records filed in Alabama. This includes any older Cleburne County records that were reported to the state.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have online indexes for Alabama marriages. These can help you find old records. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of many county records.

Cleburne County Probate Court

While the Cleburne County Probate Court does not record marriages, it does handle other services. These include estate matters, adoptions, guardianships, and mental health commitments. The office is in Heflin.

If you have questions about why Cleburne County does not record marriages, you can call this office. They can confirm the current policy and direct you to neighboring counties.

State Records Alternative

For copies of existing marriage records, you can use the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state stores records from August 1936 to today. This is useful if you do not know which county holds a record.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Request by mail or online through VitalChek. 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, contact the county where the marriage was filed.

Cities in Cleburne County

Cleburne County has a few small towns. None have populations over 50,000. All residents must use a neighboring county for marriage filings.

Towns in Cleburne County include Heflin, Ranburne, Edwardsville, and Fruithurst. No matter where you live in Cleburne County, you will need to travel to Calhoun, Clay, Randolph, or Cherokee County to file your marriage certificate.

Nearby Counties That Record Marriages

These are your options for filing a marriage certificate. Each county borders Cleburne County and accepts marriage filings.

Talladega County also borders Cleburne County to the southwest. It is another option if the other counties are not convenient for you.