Find Pickens County Marriage Records

Pickens County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Carrollton. This west Alabama county sits along the Mississippi border. The Pickens County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for county residents. You can file a new marriage certificate here or get copies of past records. The county has records dating back to 1876. Carrollton is known for the famous courthouse window legend.

Pickens County Probate Court

The Pickens 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 located in the Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton.

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 to check hours or ask about wait times. Pickens County is a small county, so the staff often has more time to help. The courthouse itself is historic and worth seeing.

Pickens County has some online record access. You can view certain records through a web portal. A small processing charge may apply for online views. For certified copies, you need to contact the office directly. Phone or mail requests are options for those who cannot visit in person.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Pickens 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 Pickens 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 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 Pickens County Probate Court has notaries on staff who can help with this step.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Carrollton. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Cash and checks are typically accepted. Call ahead to confirm payment options. The clerk will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Pickens 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

Alabama has no residency rule for marriage. You do not have to live in Pickens County to file here. But most people file in their home county. If you were divorced in Alabama, you must wait 60 days before you can marry again. This is a state rule that applies in all counties.

Pickens County Marriage Fees

Pickens 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. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks for most payments.

These are typical fees at the Pickens County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: Approximately $75
• Certified copy: Contact office for rate
• Online viewing: 3% processing charge
• Notary service: Small fee if needed

Pickens County fees are in the average range for Alabama. The fee covers recording your form in the county records. Ask the clerk what is included when you file. Some counties include one certified copy. Pickens County may offer online viewing for a small charge.

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 Pickens County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Pickens 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.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court office in Carrollton. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. 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 in small counties. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests.

Pickens County has limited online access to some records. You may be able to view indexes or basic record info through their web portal. A 3% processing charge applies for online services. For certified copies, you still need to contact the office. Phone requests may work for some needs.

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.

Historical Marriage Records

Pickens County has marriage records going back to 1876. Earlier records were lost due to courthouse fires and other events. 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 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 are good for family research in Pickens County.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have some Pickens County indexes online. 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 Pickens County records. These are useful for genealogy work and historical research.

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 Pickens 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 Carrollton. Pickens County is rural, so the state alternative can save travel time. But for the most complete records, the Pickens County Probate Court is the best source. They have records going back to 1876, which is further than the state.

Cities in Pickens County

Pickens County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Pickens County Probate Court in Carrollton. There are no cities over 50,000 people in Pickens County.

Towns in Pickens County include Carrollton, Reform, Gordo, Aliceville, and Ethelsville. Carrollton is the county seat. The historic courthouse there features the famous "Face in the Window" legend. All residents file marriage certificates at the Probate Court in Carrollton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pickens 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.