Shelby County Marriage Records

Shelby County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Columbiana. This is Alabama's fifth most populous county with over 231,000 residents. Shelby County sits just south of Birmingham and is home to part of the city of Hoover. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Shelby County. You can file in person at the courthouse in Columbiana. The court also issues certified copies of existing records going back many years.

Shelby County Probate Court

The Shelby County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. This office is in Columbiana at the county courthouse complex. The Probate Judge leads the office with a trained staff. They can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can also help you get copies of old records.

Shelby County has grown fast in recent years. Many new residents move here from Birmingham. The Probate Court stays busy with marriage filings, estates, and other matters. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. You may want to call ahead on busy days to check wait times. Staff are helpful and can answer questions about the process.

The office has online services for some record types. Shelby County offers a good online records portal. You can search for documents and order some records online. Visit their website to learn what services are available from home.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Shelby County is simple. Alabama changed the marriage system in 2019. There is no marriage license anymore. No ceremony is needed. Marriage is a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That makes you legally married.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. One is for adults 18 and older. One is for people 16 to 17 with parental consent. Pick the right one. Fill it out fully. Include both names, birth dates, and other required info.

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 for Alabama marriages. The Shelby County Probate Court has notaries available if you need one.

Then bring the signed and notarized form to the Shelby County Probate Court in Columbiana. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $76 recording fee. The clerk records the form and gives you a receipt. You are now legally married in Alabama. The whole process takes about 15 minutes if your form is complete.

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

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity
• Neither can be married already
• The parties cannot be related by blood

Shelby County Marriage Fees

Shelby County charges fees for recording marriages and for copies. Fees are set by state law and county policy. Call ahead to confirm rates since they can change. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

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

• Marriage certificate recording: $76.00
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page plus certification fee
• Additional copies: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: varies

The $76 recording fee is typical for Alabama. It falls right in the middle of what counties charge statewide. The fee covers recording the document and entering it into the county's records system. A certified copy usually costs a few dollars more.

You can also get state copies from the Alabama Department of Public Health. They charge $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek orders online cost about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Shelby County marriage records in several ways. The method 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 Probate Court in Columbiana. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search and make copies. In-person requests often finish the same day. Shelby County has a good online records system at shelbyal.com where you can search for some records and order copies.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. You can also order at vitalchek.com. State records go back to 1936. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek is faster but costs more.

Per Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. No relationship is required. No reason is needed.

Historical Marriage Records

Shelby County has marriage records going back to the 1800s. The county was formed in 1818 and has kept records since then. Old records have less detail than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage occurred.

Records before 1888 show basic facts. They include the names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the officiant. They show the marriage date. These old records are handwritten and can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They added parents' names. They included ages, occupations, and physical descriptions. The number of prior marriages was also noted. This extra info helps with family research in Shelby County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of some Shelby County records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes you can search online. These tools help you find records before you order copies from the Probate Court.

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. Use this option if you cannot visit the Shelby County Probate Court. It also helps when you do not know which county the marriage was in.

State copies cost $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. You can call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders at vitalchek.com cost about $30 but arrive in 3 to 5 business days.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County has many cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Shelby County Probate Court in Columbiana. This is the only location that handles marriage filings.

Hoover is split between Shelby and Jefferson counties. Hoover residents in Shelby County can file here. Check your address to see which county you are in. Other cities in Shelby County include Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, and Montevallo. All use the Shelby County Probate Court for marriage filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Shelby 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.