Covington County Marriage Records

Covington County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Andalusia. This county sits in south-central Alabama near the Florida border. The Covington County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Staff can help you file a new form or get copies of existing records. Covington County has about 37,000 residents and keeps marriage records going back many years.

Covington County Probate Court

The Covington County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge oversees this office. Staff help people file new marriage certificates. They also give out copies of existing records. The office is at the courthouse in Andalusia.

Covington County provides marriage services to all county residents. The Probate Court has one location. Services are available in person or by phone. Online access is limited to property records. For marriage records, you will need to visit or call. The office is open on weekdays.

We recommend calling ahead before you visit. Ask the staff to confirm current fees. They can tell you what forms and ID you need. They can also let you know if you need an appointment. The staff are helpful and will answer your questions about marriage filings.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Covington County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. The state passed Act 2019-340. This law ended marriage licenses. Now you use a marriage certificate form. No wedding ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. Two people sign a form and file it. That is how you get married in Covington County.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. There are two versions. One is for adults age 18 and over. One is for minors age 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Choose the right form. Fill it out with both names and birth dates. Add your county and state of residence.

Next, both people 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 in front of an Alabama notary. Only Alabama notaries work for this. Out-of-state notaries are not accepted. The Covington County Probate Court can help with notary services.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Andalusia. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call ahead to confirm the exact amount. The clerk will record your form. You get a receipt. Your marriage is now legal in Covington County.

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

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can be married already
• The parties cannot be related by blood

Covington County Marriage Fees

Covington County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. The fees are set by state law and county policy. We recommend calling the Probate Court to confirm current fees before you visit. Fees can change over time.

Here are the typical fees you can expect:

• Marriage certificate recording: Call (334) 428-2510 to confirm
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page (typical)
• Additional certified copies: $3.00 per page

Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $90 for recording a marriage certificate. Covington County falls in this range. The staff can give you the exact amount when you call. They accept cash and checks. Ask about credit card options.

If you need a certified copy from the state, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search plus one copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. You can order online through VitalChek for about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older Covington County records, use the local Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Covington County marriage records in a few ways. The method you choose depends on how fast you need the copy. It also depends on whether you need a certified or plain copy. Both the county and state can give you marriage record copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Andalusia. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Tell staff the marriage date if you know it. They will search the records. They can make copies right away. In-person requests are often same-day. Call the office to ask about mail requests.

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. That adds a service fee. The state has records from 1936 to today. 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 related to the people on the record. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

Historical Marriage Records

Covington County has marriage records going back to 1821. That is when the county was formed. Old records are stored at the Probate Court. What you find depends on when the marriage took place. Records from different eras have different details.

Early records show basic facts. They list the bride and groom names. They show bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the person who led the ceremony. They give the marriage date. These old records are often handwritten. Some can be hard to read.

Starting around 1910, records got more detailed. They began to include parent names. Physical descriptions appeared. Age and occupation were added. Number of prior marriages was noted. These details are useful for family history research in Covington County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some Covington County records on microfilm. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. These can help you find a record before you request a copy. The Covington County Probate Court is your main source for local records.

Andalusia and Covington County

Andalusia is the county seat of Covington County. The city has about 9,000 people. It sits in south Alabama near the Conecuh National Forest. The area is known for its natural beauty. Lakes and rivers draw visitors year round.

The Covington County Probate Court serves all county residents. Whether you live in Andalusia, Opp, or Red Level, you file at the same office. The courthouse is on the town square in Andalusia. Parking is available nearby. The building is easy to find.

Opp is the second largest city in Covington County. It has about 6,700 people. Residents of Opp and other towns use the Andalusia office for marriage filings. The drive is not far. Most of the county is within 30 minutes of the courthouse.

Covington County borders Florida. Some couples from the Florida panhandle come here to get married. Alabama has no waiting period for marriage. The process is quick and simple. You can complete everything in one visit to the Probate Court.

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 is an option if you cannot visit the Covington County Probate Court. It also helps if you are not sure which county a marriage was filed in.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. You can request by mail or online through VitalChek. The state address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders ship faster but cost about $30 total.

For marriages before August 1936, the state does not have records. You must use the Covington County Probate Court. They have original documents going back to 1821.

Cities in Covington County

Covington County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Covington County Probate Court in Andalusia. There are no major cities in Covington County that have their own pages on this site.

Cities and towns in Covington County include Andalusia, Opp, Red Level, Florala, and Sanford. Andalusia is the county seat and largest city. Opp is the second largest. All marriage filings go through the Andalusia office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Covington 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. Many people prefer to use their home county.