Find Hale County Marriage Records

Hale County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Greensboro. This rural west Alabama county has about 14,785 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Hale 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. Hale County keeps marriage records for anyone who needs copies.

Hale County Probate Court

The Hale County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge oversees this office. In Hale County, the Probate Judge also handles the License and Records offices. This means one office handles many services. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records.

The office is in the county seat of Greensboro on Main Street. 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.

Greensboro is a small town. The Probate Court serves the whole county from one location. There are no satellite offices. If you live in the northern or southern parts of Hale County, you will need to travel to Greensboro for marriage filings. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

The county has records going back many years. The Probate Court is your best source for older records. Staff can help you search and make copies. Most requests are handled the same day since the office serves a small population.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Hale 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 Hale 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 Greensboro. 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 Hale County.

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

Hale County Marriage Fees

Hale 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 Hale County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $75.00
• Certified copies: Contact office for rate
• Notary service: Additional fee may apply

Hale County's recording fee of $75 is in the middle range for Alabama counties. This fee pays for the clerk to process and file your marriage certificate. Call the office at (334) 624-4257 to confirm the current fee before your 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 records, you need the Hale County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Hale 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 Greensboro. Bring 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.

Hale County does not have an online record search. You need to visit or call the office to request records. The staff are helpful and can search on your behalf if you call with the right information. Give them the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage.

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

Hale County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1867 from parts of Greene, Marengo, Perry, and Tuscaloosa 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 Hale County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Hale County records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. These can help you find a record before you request a copy from the Probate Court. Many people use these sites to trace their Hale County roots.

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 Hale 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.

The state option is useful for Hale County residents who live far from Greensboro. The state office in Montgomery is open Monday through Friday. Online orders through VitalChek can be placed any time. Both give you another way to get records without visiting the county seat.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hale 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.