Search Escambia County Marriage Records

Escambia County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court. The county sits in south Alabama near the Florida border. Brewton is the county seat where the main court office is found. Around 37,000 people live in Escambia County. The Probate Court files new marriage certificates and stores old records. A second office in Atmore also serves residents. Both spots can help with marriage record needs.

Escambia County Probate Court

The Escambia County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. Judge Scott Chambers leads this office. Staff can help you file a marriage certificate or pull copies of old records. The county has two office spots. One is in Brewton. The other is in Atmore. This gives residents options.

You can use either office for most services. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Staff will guide you through the steps. Both offices are closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead to check wait times or ask about specific needs. The Brewton office is the main location with more staff.

Escambia County has some online search options. You can look up certain records from home. This helps you find what you need before you visit. Check the county website to see what is available online.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Escambia County is simple. Alabama changed its laws in 2019. Marriage licenses are gone. No ceremony is required. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That is how you get married in Escambia County.

First, get the form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ and download it. One form is for adults 18 and over. A different form is for minors aged 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the right one. Fill in both names, dates of birth, and other facts.

Both people must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or different days. The wedding date is the date of the last signature. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries will not work. Many banks and stores offer notary service. Ask around to find one near you.

Take the signed form to either Probate Court office in Escambia County. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $70 recording fee. Cash and checks are accepted. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Escambia County.

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

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

Escambia County Marriage Fees

Escambia County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Fees are set by county policy. Call ahead to confirm current rates. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks.

Here are the main fees at the Escambia County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $70.00
• Certified copy (1-20 pages): $5.00
• Additional pages: contact office

You can also get copies from the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek orders run about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to now. Older Escambia County records are only at the local Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Escambia County marriage records in several ways. Pick the method that fits your needs. The county and state both offer services.

For county copies, visit either Probate Court office. The Brewton office is the main location. The Atmore office also helps with records. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search and print copies for you. In-person requests are often done same day.

Escambia County has online search options. Some records can be viewed from home. This lets you confirm a record exists before you visit. Check the county website to see what is available. It may save you a trip.

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 with a service fee. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. No special reason is needed. You do not have to prove a relationship to the couple.

Historical Marriage Records

Escambia County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1868. Old records may differ from modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 are basic. They list bride and groom names. They show bondsmen and the officiant. They have the bond amount and wedding date. These old records are handwritten. The script can be hard to read at times.

Starting around 1910, records got more detailed. They added parent names. Physical traits of both spouses appeared. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages showed up too. These details help with family tree research in Escambia County.

For older records, try FamilySearch or Ancestry online. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have microfilm. These tools can help you locate a record before you request a copy from the Probate Court. The archive sources are often free to search.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health offers another way to get marriage records. The state keeps records from August 1936 to today. This is useful if you cannot visit Escambia County or if you do not know which county holds the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one certified copy. Each extra copy is $6. Mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 for help. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders are faster but cost about $30 total.

If you need a copy for use outside the United States, you may need an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State handles this. It adds $5 to $25 to the cost. Contact that office for current fees and steps.

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County has several cities and towns. All residents file marriage certificates at the Escambia County Probate Court. The Brewton and Atmore offices both serve the county.

Major communities include Brewton, Atmore, Flomaton, East Brewton, and Pollard. The Poarch Creek Indian Reservation is also in Escambia County. All county residents use the Probate Court for marriage filings. Pick the office closest to you.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Escambia County. Check your address to see which county you are in if you live near a line. You can file a marriage certificate in any Alabama county, but most people use their home county.

Escambia County also borders Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in Florida. Alabama marriage records can only be filed in Alabama counties.