Access Dallas County Marriage Records

Dallas County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Selma. This county in central Alabama has about 37,000 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Dallas County. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. No license is needed now. Couples sign a form and file it at the Probate Court to be legally married. Dallas County has marriage records going back to 1818, making it one of the oldest record collections in the state.

Dallas County Probate Court

The Dallas County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The office sits in the county seat of Selma on Lauderdale Street. The Probate Judge oversees the office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or search for old records.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. You do not need an appointment for most services. The staff know the local records well. Dallas County has some of the oldest records in Alabama. The county was formed in 1818, just one year before Alabama became a state. These old records are valuable for family research.

Selma has deep roots in American history. The city was a key site in the Civil Rights Movement. The Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Selma to Montgomery marches made national news in 1965. The Probate Court has served the community through all of this history. Marriage records from every era are kept here.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Dallas County is simple. Alabama passed Act 2019-340 and changed its marriage system completely. No license is issued anymore. No ceremony is required. No officiant has to sign. Marriage is a contract. Two people agree, sign a form, and file it.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. There are two versions. One form is for adults 18 and over. One form is for minors aged 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Choose the right form and fill it out with both 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 becomes the marriage date. An Alabama notary public must witness both signatures. The notary adds their stamp. Out-of-state notaries will not work. You need an Alabama notary. The Dallas County Probate Court may have notary service. Call ahead to ask.

Bring the completed, notarized form to the Probate Court in Selma. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk records the form and gives you a receipt. You are now married under Alabama law.

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

• Both people must be at least 18 years old
• Minors aged 16 to 17 need parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity to agree
• Neither can already be married
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives

There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Alabama or Dallas County to file here. No blood test is needed. If either person was divorced recently, there may be a 60-day wait. This gives time for any appeals. Ask the clerk if this applies.

Dallas County Marriage Fees

Dallas County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Call ahead to confirm current rates since fees can change. The office accepts cash and checks. Ask about credit card acceptance when you call.

Here are the typical fees at the Dallas County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: approximately $75
• Certified copy: contact office for current rate
• Additional certified copies: contact office
• Notary service: varies

The state also offers copies. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one copy. Each extra copy is $6. VitalChek online orders cost about $30 total with service fees. State records go back to August 1936. For older records, Dallas County is your only source.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Dallas County marriage records in a few ways. The best method depends on how fast you need the copy and what kind of copy you want. Both the county and state offer marriage record copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Selma. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Tell the clerk the year if you know it. Staff will search the records and make copies. In-person requests are usually same-day. Dallas County has records from 1818, so family researchers often come here for old records.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and one copy. You can also order online through VitalChek. That site adds a service fee. State mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

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

Historical Marriage Records

Dallas County has marriage records going back to 1818. The county was formed that year. Alabama became a state in 1819. This makes Dallas County records some of the oldest in the state. Family researchers prize these old documents.

Records from before 1888 show basic facts. They list the names of the bride and groom. They name bondsmen who vouched for the couple. The officiant who led the ceremony is shown. License bond amounts and marriage dates appear. These records are handwritten. The ink may be faded. Names may be spelled in old ways.

After 1910, records became more detailed. Parent names were added. Physical descriptions were included. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages were noted. This extra detail helps with family tree work in Dallas County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Dallas County records. FamilySearch offers free online indexes. Ancestry has Alabama marriage data. Use these to find a record before you pay for a copy from the Probate Court.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health is another way to get marriage records. The state keeps records from August 1936 to the present. This is a good option if you cannot travel to Selma. It also helps when you do not know which county the marriage was filed in.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. VitalChek online orders add about $15 in fees but ship faster. Standard mail takes 10 to 15 business days.

If you need a copy for international use, you may need an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State handles this for $5 per document. Visit sos.alabama.gov for more details on authentication.

Cities in Dallas County

Dallas County has several towns and communities. All of them file marriage certificates at the Dallas County Probate Court in Selma. There are no cities in the county large enough to have their own page on this site.

Selma is the county seat and the largest city. It has about 17,000 people. Other towns include Orrville, Plantersville, Valley Grande, and Sardis. All these places use the Probate Court on Lauderdale Street for marriage filings. Selma is located on the Alabama River and has a rich history that draws visitors from around the country.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dallas County. You can file a marriage certificate in any Alabama county. If you live near a county line, a neighboring county might be more convenient. Check your address to see which county you are in.