Monroe County Marriage Records

Monroe County marriage records are filed and kept at the Probate Court in Monroeville. This county sits in southwest Alabama. Monroeville is the county seat and known as the hometown of Harper Lee and Truman Capote. The Monroe County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. You no longer need a license or ceremony. The Probate Court records the marriage certificate that makes your marriage legal. Staff can also help you get copies of records from the past.

Monroe County Probate Court

The Monroe County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge Greg Norris oversees this office. Staff help with filing new marriage certificates and getting copies of old records. The office is in Monroeville, the county seat.

You can file your marriage form in person at the Probate Court. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call before you visit if you have questions. Staff can tell you what documents to bring. Wait times are usually short in this rural county.

Monroe County was formed in 1815. It is one of Alabama's older counties. The Probate Court has served the area for over 200 years. Records from early times still exist. The county has a limited online presence, so most services are in person or by mail. Call the office for the best way to handle your needs.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Monroe County is simple. Alabama made big changes in 2019. The old way with licenses and ceremonies ended. Now marriage is a contract. Two people sign a form. They file it at the Probate Court. That is all you need to get married in Monroe County.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. Two forms exist. One is for adults 18 and older. One is for minors 16 to 17 who need parental consent. Choose the right form. Fill it out with both names, birth dates, addresses, and other facts.

Both people 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 before an Alabama notary public. This is key. Out-of-state notaries do not work. The Monroe County Probate Court has notaries on staff. They can help you sign. There may be a small notary fee.

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Monroeville. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Staff will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Monroe County, Alabama.

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

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Minors aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can already be married
• The parties cannot be related by blood
• You must wait 60 days after a divorce before remarrying

Monroe County Marriage Fees

Monroe County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. Call ahead to confirm current rates. Fees can change. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks. Ask about credit card options when you visit.

These are typical fees at the Monroe County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: approximately $75.00
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: varies

You can also get copies from the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. Orders through VitalChek cost about $30 total with service fees. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older Monroe County records, you must use the Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Monroe County marriage records in a few ways. The method depends on how fast you need the copy. Both the county and state can provide copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Monroeville. Bring your ID. Give staff the names of both spouses. If you know the marriage date, that helps. They will search and make copies. In-person requests are often done the same day. Monroe County has limited online services. Most record requests need to be done in person or by mail. Call to ask about mail request procedures.

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. Order online at vitalchek.com for faster service. VitalChek adds a service fee. State records go back to 1936. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

Historical Marriage Records

Monroe County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1815. That makes it one of the older counties in Alabama. Early records may be harder to find or read. The Probate Court in Monroeville has the original documents.

Records from before 1888 show basic facts. They list the names of the bride and groom. They show bondsmen who vouched for the couple. The officiant name appears. License bond amounts and marriage dates are included. These old records are handwritten. The script can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, records became more detailed. They began to list parent names. Physical descriptions of both parties appeared. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages were added. These details help family history researchers trace their roots in Monroe County.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have some Monroe County indexes online. Search there first to find a record. Then contact the Probate Court for a copy. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some county records. These can help with genealogy research.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health also has marriage records. The state has copies from August 1936 to today. This helps if you cannot visit the Monroe County Probate Court. It also works if you are not sure which county has the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Request by mail or online through VitalChek. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. The phone number is (334) 206-5418. 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 map of all 67 counties. Visit alpja.org to find contact info for any county in Alabama.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Monroe County Probate Court in Monroeville. There are no cities in Monroe County with over 50,000 people. Monroeville is the largest city with about 5,800 residents.

Other places include Frisco City, Excel, and Beatrice. All file marriage records through the county Probate Court. The court serves everyone in Monroe County no matter where they live.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. If you live near a county line, check your address. You can file in any Alabama county, but many people use their home county.