Fayette County Marriage Records

Fayette County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Fayette. This small county sits in northwest Alabama with around 16,300 residents. The Probate Court files new marriage certificates and keeps all past records. Fayette is both the county seat and the largest city in the county. The county was named for Marquis de La Fayette, the French hero who helped America in the Revolutionary War. The Probate Court has some online record access to help you find what you need.

Fayette County Probate Court

The Fayette County Probate Court handles all marriage filings in the county. Judge Mark Foust leads this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records. The office is on Temple Avenue North in Fayette. It sits in the heart of the small downtown area.

You can visit during normal business hours. Walk-ins are welcome. The staff knows the local process well and can guide you through each step. Fayette County is a small community where the office staff often knows residents by name. Call ahead if you have questions or want to check on wait times.

Fayette County offers some online search options. You can look up certain records from home. This can save you a trip to the courthouse. Check the county website to see what is available. The online system is limited compared to big counties but still helpful.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Fayette County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019 with Act 2019-340. The state ended marriage licenses. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it. That is how you become married in Fayette County.

First, get the form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/ to download it. One form is for adults 18 and older. Another 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.

Next, both parties sign the form. You can sign the same day or on 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. In a small town like Fayette, check your bank or a local business for notary service.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call ahead to get the exact amount. The clerk will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Fayette 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 married to someone else
• The parties cannot be close blood relatives

Fayette County Marriage Fees

Fayette County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Contact the office for current rates. Fees are set by county policy and can change. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks.

Expected fees at the Fayette County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: contact office for amount
• Certified copy: contact office
• Search fee: contact office

The state also offers copies. 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 Fayette County records are only at the local Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Fayette County marriage records in a few ways. Pick the method that works best for you. Both the county and state can help.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Fayette. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff will search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often done the same day. You can also call to ask about mail requests if you cannot visit.

Fayette County has limited online search options. You may be able to view some records from home. Check the county website to see what is available. This can help you find a record before you visit in person.

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 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 request a copy. You do not need to be related. You do not need a special reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Fayette County has marriage records going back many decades. The county was created in 1824. Old records have different info than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage happened.

Records from before 1888 are basic. They list the 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 sometimes.

Starting around 1910, records got more detailed. Parent names were added. Physical descriptions of both parties appeared. Age, occupation, and number of past marriages were included. This helps with family history research in Fayette County.

For very old records, try FamilySearch or Ancestry online. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have microfilm. These tools help locate records before you pay for copies. Many are 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 Fayette County or if you do not know which county the marriage was filed in.

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

If you need a copy for use in another country, you may need an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State handles this. It adds $5 to $25 to the cost. Check with that office for current fees and steps.

Cities in Fayette County

Fayette County has several small communities. All residents file marriage certificates at the Fayette County Probate Court. There is one office for the whole county.

Communities in Fayette County include Fayette, Berry, Belk, and several small unincorporated areas. Fayette is the largest town and serves as the county seat. The county has a rural character with no large cities. All residents use the Fayette Probate Court for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

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