Lowndes County Marriage Records

Lowndes County marriage records are kept at the Probate Court in Hayneville. This small rural county has about 9,700 residents and is located in south-central Alabama. The Lowndes County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. You can file new certificates here or request copies of past records. The county has a rich history in the civil rights movement. Marriage records in Lowndes County date back to the early 1800s.

Lowndes County Probate Court

The Lowndes County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge runs this office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records. The office is in downtown Hayneville on Washington Street. It serves all of Lowndes County.

You can file your marriage certificate at this office during business hours. Walk-ins are welcome. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead to check if the office is open since small county offices can have varied hours. Staff can answer your questions about the filing process in Lowndes County.

Lowndes County added passport services in 2023. This shows the office is expanding to serve more needs. The Probate Court also handles wills, estates, and other legal matters. But marriage records remain one of their main services for local residents.

The county has some records available online from 2002 to today. You may be able to search or order records through their website. But for older records or in-person service, you will need to visit the courthouse in Hayneville.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Lowndes County is simple. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. You no longer need a marriage license. You do not need a ceremony. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be married in Lowndes County.

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 need parental consent. Pick the right form for your case. Fill it out with both names, dates of birth, and other facts the form asks for.

Next, both parties must 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 Lowndes County Probate Court has notaries on staff who can help. There may be a small extra fee for notary service.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Hayneville. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married. No judge or officiant needs to perform a ceremony. The signed contract is what makes you married under Alabama law.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, you must meet these rules to marry:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons aged 16 or 17 need notarized parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity to sign a contract
• Neither party can already be married
• The parties cannot be related by blood

Lowndes County Marriage Fees

Lowndes County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Call the Probate Court to confirm current rates before you visit. Fees can change over time. The office accepts cash and may accept checks or cards. Ask when you call.

Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $90 to record a marriage certificate. Lowndes County fees are likely in this range. You should also expect to pay a few dollars per page for certified copies. The recording fee covers the filing of your marriage certificate. A receipt serves as proof of filing until you get a certified copy.

These are typical fees you may encounter:

• Marriage certificate recording: Call to confirm
• Certified copy: $3 to $5 per page
• Additional certified copies: same rate
• Notary service: small fee if needed

If you need a certified copy from the state, 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 Lowndes County records, you must use the county Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Lowndes County marriage records in several ways. The method you choose depends on how fast you need the copy. It also matters if you need a certified copy or a plain copy. Both the county and state can provide marriage record copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Hayneville. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests. The county has some records online from 2002 to today.

Lowndes County is small. The office may have shorter hours or be closed for lunch. Call ahead before making a trip. This saves time and ensures someone is there to help you when you arrive. The staff is helpful but limited in a small county office.

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 the request.

Historical Marriage Records

Lowndes County has marriage records going back to the early 1800s. The county was formed in 1830. 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 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 appeared. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages were added. These details are useful for family history research in Lowndes County and the surrounding Black Belt region of Alabama.

Lowndes County has civil rights significance. Events here were part of the Selma to Montgomery marches. This history draws researchers to the area. Marriage records can help trace family connections during this important era in Alabama history.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes for some Lowndes County records. These can help you find a record before you request a copy. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also has microfilm copies of some county records.

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 a good option if you cannot visit the Lowndes County Probate Court in Hayneville. It also helps 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 Alabama Probate Judges Association has a helpful map at alpja.org. This shows all 67 Alabama counties and links to each probate court. Use this to find contact info for any county in the state.

Cities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Lowndes County Probate Court in Hayneville. The county does not have any cities over 50,000 in population.

Communities in Lowndes County include Hayneville, Fort Deposit, White Hall, and Lowndesboro. All residents use the single Probate Court office in Hayneville for marriage filings and records. The county is rural with a small population spread across farms and small towns.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lowndes 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.