Greene County Marriage Records

Greene County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Eutaw. This small west Alabama county has about 7,730 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Greene County. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019 with Act 2019-340. You no longer need a marriage license or a ceremony. Just file a signed form with the court and you are married. Greene County keeps marriage records going back to 1823 for anyone who needs copies.

Greene County Probate Court

The Greene County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge oversees this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records. The office is in the county seat of Eutaw on Morrow Avenue.

You can file your marriage certificate during business hours. The office accepts walk-ins. Staff are helpful and can answer questions about the filing process. Call ahead if you want to check on wait times or ask about services. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Greene County requires a photo ID when you request records. Bring a valid driver's license or state ID. This helps the staff verify your identity and find the right records. The office serves a small population, so wait times are often short. Most requests are handled the same day.

The county has records going back to 1823. This makes Greene County a good place for family history research. Many people come from out of state to trace their roots. The staff can help you search old records and make copies of what you find.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Greene County is simple. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. You do not need a ceremony or an officiant. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be legally married.

First, get the marriage certificate form. You can download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. One is for adults age 18 and over. One is for minors age 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the right form for your case. Fill it out with both names, dates of birth, and other facts.

Next, both parties sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The marriage date is the date of the last signature. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries will not work. The Greene County Probate Court has notaries on staff. There may be a small fee for notary service.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Eutaw. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee by check. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Greene County. Bring a photo ID when you visit.

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
• If divorced, wait 60 days before remarrying

Greene County Marriage Fees

Greene County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. The fees are set by state law and county policy. Call ahead to confirm current rates since fees can change. The office accepts payment by check. Ask about other payment options when you call.

These are the main fees at the Greene County Probate Court:

• First certified copy: $15.00
• Additional copies: $6.00 each
• Recording fee (first page): $10.00
• Notary service: Additional fee may apply

Greene County's fees for certified copies match the state rate. The recording fee is per page, which can add up for longer forms. Call the office at (205) 372-3349 to get the exact total. This way you can bring the right payment when you visit.

If you need a certified copy from the state instead, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy costs $6. You can order online through VitalChek at about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older Greene County records going back to 1823, you need the local Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Greene County marriage records in several ways. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the copy and whether you need a certified or plain copy. Both the county and state can provide copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Eutaw. Bring a photo ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. The office serves a small population, so wait times are usually short. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests.

Greene County has marriage records back to 1823. This is earlier than most Alabama counties. If you need a very old record, the county is your best bet. The state only has records from 1936 forward. For anything before that, Greene County is the place to look.

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 which adds a service fee. The state has records from 1936 to today. Mail requests take 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 state a reason for your request.

Historical Marriage Records

Greene County has marriage records going back to 1823. This is over 200 years of records. The county was formed in 1819, making it one of Alabama's original counties. Old records contain different information than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 show basic facts. These include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the officiant who led the ceremony. They show the license bond amount and marriage date. These old records are often handwritten and can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They began to include names of parents. Physical descriptions of both parties appeared. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages were added. These records help with family history research in Greene County.

Many people visit Greene County to research their ancestors. The Probate Court can help you search. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Greene County records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online too. These can help you find a record before you request a copy.

Greene County's long record history makes it valuable for genealogy. Families who lived in west Alabama before the Civil War often appear in these records. Researchers come from across the country to dig into Greene County's past.

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 Greene County Probate Court or if you are not sure which county the 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 in 3 to 5 business days but cost about $30 total.

Keep in mind the state only has records from 1936 forward. Greene County has records back to 1823. If you need an older record, you must contact the Greene County Probate Court directly. The state cannot help with pre-1936 marriages.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Greene 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, but many people prefer to use their home county.