Access Madison County Marriage Records

Madison County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Huntsville. This is Alabama's oldest county with nearly 400,000 residents. The Madison County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for the area. You can file new certificates or request copies of past records dating back to 1809. Huntsville serves as the county seat. The city of Madison also has residents in Madison County. This is one of the fastest-growing areas in Alabama.

Madison County Probate Court

The Madison 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. Madison County has two locations. The Service Center on Memorial Parkway handles most daily business. The main courthouse is on the square downtown.

You can file your marriage certificate at either location. The Service Center is often faster for routine filings. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The offices are closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead to check wait times. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Madison County.

Madison County is Alabama's oldest county. It was formed in 1808, eleven years before Alabama became a state. Records go back to 1809. This makes it one of the best places for historical research in the state. The Probate Court has preserved records for over 200 years.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Madison 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 Madison 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.

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 Madison 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 either Probate Court location in Madison County. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $89 recording fee. Cash, check, and cards are accepted. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Madison 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 notarized parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can already be married
• The parties cannot be related by blood

Madison County Marriage Fees

Madison 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 Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

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

• Marriage certificate recording: $89
• Certified copy: $2 per page
• Additional certified copies: $2 per page
• Notary service: varies

The Madison County recording fee of $89 is on the higher end for Alabama. Most counties charge between $70 and $90. This fee covers the recording of your marriage certificate. You will get a receipt as proof of filing. If you want a certified copy right away, ask the clerk and pay the extra copy fee.

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 records, you must use the Madison County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Madison 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 marriage record copies.

For county copies, visit either Probate Court location in Madison County. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. You may need an appointment for court and land record searches. Call ahead to check. You can also ask about mail requests.

Madison County has extensive online records through their website. This can help you search before you visit in person. The county has preserved records going back to 1809. This makes it excellent for historical and genealogical research. The Service Center on Memorial Parkway handles most walk-in requests.

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

Madison County has marriage records going back to 1809. This is one of the oldest collections in Alabama. The county was formed in 1808. 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. The script 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 are useful for family history research in Madison County.

Madison County was settled early in Alabama's history. Huntsville was one of the first cities in the state. Many pioneer families have roots here. Marriage records help trace these early settlers and their descendants. The county has done a good job preserving these historical documents for over two centuries.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes for Madison County records. These can help you find a record before you request a copy from the Probate Court. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also has microfilm copies of some Madison 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 an option if you cannot visit the Madison 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 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 if you need to search more than one location.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Madison County Probate Court. Residents can use either the Service Center or the main courthouse.

Huntsville is Alabama's largest city with over 230,000 people. Madison is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Part of Madison extends into Limestone County. If you live in Madison, check your address to see which county you are in. You can file at the Madison County Probate Court or the Limestone County Probate Court depending on where you live. Other Madison County communities include Harvest, Hazel Green, Meridianville, and New Hope.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison 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.