Find Etowah County Marriage Records

Etowah County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Gadsden. This northeast Alabama county has over 103,000 residents. Etowah is one of the more populous counties in the state. The Probate Court files new marriage certificates and keeps all past records. Gadsden serves as the county seat and holds the main court office. Records date back to 1867 when the county was formed. The name Etowah comes from a Cherokee word meaning edible tree.

Etowah County Probate Court

The Etowah County Probate Court handles all marriage filings in the county. Judge Scott Hassell leads this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records. The office sits on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden. It is in the main courthouse area.

You can visit during normal business hours. Walk-ins are welcome. The staff is helpful and can answer questions about the process. Call ahead if you want to check on wait times or ask about specific services. The office closes on weekends and state holidays.

Etowah County keeps records going back to 1867. Some online search options exist. Check with the office to learn what is available. The county has limited online access compared to larger counties. Most requests are handled in person or by mail.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Etowah County is straightforward. Alabama overhauled its marriage system in 2019. The state ended marriage licenses. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is now a simple contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is how you get married in Etowah County.

Start by getting the form. Visit dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. There is one form for adults 18 and older. Another form exists for minors aged 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the correct form. Fill in both names, birth dates, and other required info.

Both parties must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The date of the last signature is your wedding date. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Notaries outside Alabama cannot be used. Find a notary at a bank, shipping store, or other local business.

After both sign, bring the form to the Probate Court in Gadsden. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Contact the office for the exact amount as fees can vary. The clerk records your form and gives you a receipt. Once filed, you are legally married in Etowah County.

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

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Minors aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity to consent
• Neither can be currently married to another person
• The parties cannot be closely related by blood

Etowah County Marriage Fees

Etowah County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Contact the office for current rates. Fees can change and the exact amount may vary. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks for most payments.

Here are the expected fees at the Etowah County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: approximately $85
• Certified copy: contact office for pricing
• Search fee: contact office

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 with processing fees. The state has records from August 1936 to now. Older Etowah County records are only at the local Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Etowah County marriage records in a few ways. The right method depends on how fast you need the copy and what format you need. The county and state both provide options.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Gadsden. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Give staff as much detail as you have. They will search the records and print copies. In-person requests are often processed the same day. Call ahead to ask about mail requests if you cannot visit.

Etowah County has limited online search options. The county is working on expanding digital access. Check the website or call to see what records are online. For now, most requests need to be made in person or by mail.

For state copies, write to the Alabama Department of Public Health at P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. Order online at vitalchek.com for a service fee. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships faster.

Per Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone may request a copy. You do not need to be related to the parties. No stated reason is required for the request.

Historical Marriage Records

Etowah County has marriage records dating back to 1867. The county was formed that year from parts of several other counties. Old records contain different details than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage happened.

Records from before 1888 are basic. They show bride and groom names. They list bondsmen and the officiant. They include the bond amount and wedding date. These records are handwritten. Reading old script can be tricky.

Records from 1910 and later have more info. Parent names were added. Physical descriptions appeared. Age, job, and number of past marriages were recorded. This extra detail helps with genealogy work in Etowah County.

For old records, try FamilySearch or Ancestry. They have indexes online. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm of some records. These free tools can help you find a record before you order a paid copy.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health is another option for marriage records. The state has records from August 1936 to today. This helps if you cannot get to the Etowah County Probate Court or if you are unsure which county the marriage was filed in.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders arrive faster but cost about $30.

For international use, you may need an apostille on your copy. The Alabama Secretary of State handles this. It adds $5 to $25 to your cost depending on the service. Check with that office for current steps and fees.

Cities in Etowah County

Etowah County has many cities and towns. All residents file marriage certificates at the Etowah County Probate Court in Gadsden. There is one office location for the whole county.

Major communities in Etowah County include Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, and Sardis City. Gadsden is the largest city and serves as the county seat. All Etowah County residents use the Gadsden Probate Court for marriage record services.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Etowah County. If you live near a county line, check your address to verify which county you are in. You can file a marriage certificate in any Alabama county, but most people use their home county.