Search Morgan County Marriage Records

Morgan County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Decatur. This north Alabama county has over 123,000 residents and sits along the Tennessee River. The Morgan County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for the county. You can file a new marriage certificate here or get copies of past records. The county was originally called Cotaco County. Records date back to when the county was formed. The court serves residents of Decatur and all other Morgan County towns.

Morgan County Probate Court

The Morgan 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 Morgan County Courthouse in downtown Decatur.

You can file your marriage certificate at this office. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you want to check wait times. Staff can answer questions about the filing process. They can also help with records searches.

Morgan County offers online access to some records. You can create a free account on their website to search indexes. This helps you find records before you visit. However, you still need to go in person or contact the office to get certified copies.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Morgan 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 between two people. Both sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all it takes to get married in Morgan 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 have parental consent. Pick the right form. 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. This is a key point. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries will not work. The Morgan County Probate Court has notaries on staff. They can help you with this step.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Decatur. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $78 recording fee. Cash, check, and cards are accepted. The clerk will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Morgan 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
• 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 you were divorced in Alabama, you must wait 60 days before you can marry again. This is a state rule. The Morgan County Probate Court will check this before filing your form. Bring your divorce papers if you were divorced recently.

Morgan County Marriage Fees

Morgan 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. Fees can change over time. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for payment.

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

• Marriage certificate recording: $78.00
• Certified copy: Contact office for rate
• Notary service: Small fee if needed

Morgan County fees are in the middle range for Alabama. Some counties charge less. A few charge more. The fee covers recording your form in the county records. It also covers one certified copy in most cases. Ask the clerk what is included when you file.

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, use the Morgan County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

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

For county copies, visit the Probate Court office in Decatur. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. You should also know the approximate date of the marriage if you can. Staff will search the records and make copies for you. In-person requests are often same-day. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests.

Morgan County has online record access. You can create a free account on the Probate Court website. This lets you search marriage record indexes. You can view basic info about records. To get actual copies, you still need to contact the office. But online search can save you time by finding the record first.

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 give a reason for the request. This makes it easy to get copies for any legal purpose.

Historical Marriage Records

Morgan County has marriage records going back to its early days. The county was formed in 1818 as Cotaco County. The name changed to Morgan County in 1821. Historical records vary in what they contain. 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. Reading them can take some skill.

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 good for family research.

The Morgan County Archives has historical records. You can find estate records, old newspapers from 1919, and other documents. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online for Morgan County. 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County Probate Court. 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 state option is helpful for people who live far from Decatur. It is also good if you need an official copy fast through VitalChek. But for the most complete records, the Morgan County Probate Court is the best source. They have records going back further than the state.

Cities in Morgan County

Morgan County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Morgan County Probate Court in Decatur. Residents from any part of the county can use this office.

Other cities in Morgan County include Hartselle, Falkville, Priceville, Somerville, and Trinity. All file marriage certificates at the Morgan County Probate Court. Decatur is the only city over 50,000 people. It is the county seat and the largest city.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Morgan 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 for ease.