Search Russell County Marriage Records

Russell County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Phenix City. The county sits on the Georgia border along the Chattahoochee River. With about 59,000 residents, Russell County serves a mix of urban and rural areas. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Russell County. You can file your marriage certificate in person at the courthouse. The court also issues certified copies of existing marriage records for anyone who asks.

Russell County Probate Court

The Russell County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge leads this office and has a staff to help you. You can file a new marriage certificate here. You can also get copies of old records. The office is in Phenix City at the county courthouse. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours.

Staff can answer questions about the filing process. They can help you find what forms you need. They can also search for old marriage records if you know the names and rough dates. The Russell County Probate Court has a gazebo next to the courthouse that is free to use for wedding ceremonies if you choose to have one.

Russell County is unique in that it offers a nice outdoor space for optional ceremonies. While Alabama no longer requires a wedding ceremony to get married, many couples still want one. The gazebo at the Russell County Courthouse gives you a place to celebrate at no extra cost. Just ask the Probate Court staff about using this space when you file.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Russell County is easy. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019 with Act 2019-340. The state got rid of marriage licenses. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is now a simple contract between two people. You sign a form and file it at the Probate Court. That is all it takes.

Start by getting the marriage certificate form. You can download it from the Alabama Department of Public Health website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two versions. One is for adults 18 and older. One is for people aged 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the form that fits your case. Fill it out with both names, birth dates, and other required facts.

Both parties must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The date of marriage is the date of the last signature. Here is the key part: you must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Notaries from other states will not work. The Russell County Probate Court has notary services on site. You may pay a small fee for this service.

After both parties sign before a notary, bring the form to the Russell County Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Staff will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Alabama. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes total if you have everything ready.

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

• Both must be at least 18 years old, or 16-17 with parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity to enter a contract
• Neither can already be married to someone else
• The parties cannot be closely related by blood
• If either party divorced within 60 days, extra wait time may apply

Russell County Marriage Fees

Russell County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. These fees are set by state law and county policy. Call ahead to check current rates since fees can change. The Probate Court accepts cash and checks. Ask about card payments when you visit.

Here are the main fees at the Russell County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $75.00
• Notary service: $10.00 per seal
• Certified copy: $3.00 to $5.00 per page
• Additional copies: $3.00 to $5.00 per page

The $75 recording fee is mid-range for Alabama counties. Some charge as low as $70. Others charge over $100. Russell County falls in the middle. The notary fee is extra if you need their notary to witness your signatures. Many couples bring the form already notarized to save money.

If you want a certified copy from the state instead, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search plus one copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. You can order online through VitalChek at about $30 total with fees. The state has marriage records from August 1936 to today.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Russell County marriage records in several ways. Which method you use depends on how fast you need the copy and what type you need. Both the county and state can provide certified copies.

For county copies, visit the Russell County Probate Court in Phenix City. Bring your ID and the names of both spouses. Know the rough date of marriage if you can. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests often get done the same day. You can also call ahead to ask about mail requests. The county has an online presence at russellcountyprobate.us.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Send mail requests to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy fee. You can also order online at vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a service fee of about $15. The state has records from 1936 to today. Mail takes 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 couple. You do not need to give a reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Russell County has marriage records going back many decades. The county was formed in 1832. Early records show basic facts like names and dates. Later records have more detail. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen and the officiant who led the ceremony. They show the license bond and marriage date. These old records are often handwritten in old script. Staff can help you read them if you have trouble.

Starting in 1910, Alabama records got more detailed. They began to list parents' names. They added ages, occupations, and physical descriptions. The number of prior marriages for each party was also noted. This extra data is useful for genealogy work in Russell County.

For very old records, try the Alabama Department of Archives and History. FamilySearch and Ancestry have some Russell County indexes online. These can help you find a record before you request a copy. Local historical societies may also have resources for Russell County 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 useful if you cannot visit the Russell County Probate Court in person. It also helps if you are not sure which county the marriage was filed in.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. You can request by mail or online through VitalChek. The state mailing address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 for questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders arrive in 3 to 5 business days but cost about $30 total.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Russell County Probate Court in Phenix City. This is the only location that handles marriage filings for the county.

The main city is Phenix City, which is the county seat and largest city. Other places in Russell County include Hurtsboro, Seale, and Fort Mitchell. None of these cities have their own marriage offices. All residents must use the Russell County Probate Court to file marriage certificates or get copies of records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Russell 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.