Find Marriage Records in St. Clair County

St. Clair County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court. This county is unique because it has two county seats. You can file your marriage certificate at either Ashville or Pell City. The county has about 91,000 residents and sits northeast of Birmingham. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for St. Clair County. Both offices issue certified copies of existing records.

St. Clair County Probate Court

The St. Clair County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. What makes this county different is that it has two county seats. Ashville serves the northern part. Pell City serves the southern part. You can file your marriage certificate at either office. Both have the same authority and access to county records.

This dual-seat setup is one of only a few in Alabama. It dates back to the county's history. Many residents find it useful since they can pick the office closer to home. Both offices are open during regular business hours. Walk-ins are welcome. Staff at each location can help with new filings and record copies.

The Ashville office is the older of the two and handles the northern division. The Pell City office is newer and often busier due to the larger population in that area. Call ahead to check wait times if you want. Both offices offer the same services for marriage filings.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in St. Clair County is easy. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. No license is needed now. No ceremony is required. Marriage is a contract. Two people sign a form, get it notarized, and file it at the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be married in St. Clair County.

Start by getting the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state website 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 form. Fill it out with both names, birth dates, and other required facts.

Both parties must sign the form in front of an Alabama notary. You can sign on the same day or different days. The marriage date is the date of the last signature. Only Alabama notaries can witness the form. Out-of-state notaries do not work. Either St. Clair County office has notaries on staff who can help.

After you sign the form, bring it to either the Ashville or Pell City Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. The clerk records the form and gives you a receipt. You are now legally married in Alabama. The process is fast 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
• Those aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both must have mental capacity
• Neither can be married already
• The parties cannot be related by blood

St. Clair County Marriage Fees

St. Clair County charges fees for recording marriages and for copies. Fees may vary slightly between offices. Call ahead to confirm current rates. Both the Ashville and Pell City offices accept cash, checks, and cards.

Here are the main fees at the St. Clair County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: approximately $78
• Certified copy: contact office for exact fee
• Additional copies: contact office for exact fee
• Notary service: may be extra

The recording fee in St. Clair County is typical for Alabama. It falls in the middle of the range. Some counties charge less. Some charge more. Call the office you plan to visit to get the exact fee before you go. This way you can bring the right amount.

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

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

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

For county copies, visit either the Ashville or Pell City Probate Court. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search records and make copies. In-person requests often get done the same day. St. Clair County has an online portal at stclairco.com where you can learn more about their services.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Send mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the fee. You can also order at vitalchek.com. The state has records from 1936 forward. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days.

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

Historical Marriage Records

St. Clair County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1818. Early records have basic info. Later ones have more detail. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 list the bride and groom. They show bondsmen, the officiant, and the marriage date. These old records are handwritten. The script can be hard to read. Staff can help if you have trouble with old handwriting.

Starting around 1910, records got more detailed. They began to include parents' names. Ages, occupations, and physical traits were added. The number of prior marriages was noted. This extra data is useful for family history work.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have some St. Clair County indexes online. These help you find records before ordering copies. The Alabama Department of Archives and History may have microfilm of older records too.

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 option is useful if you cannot visit St. Clair County 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. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 for questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders ship in 3 to 5 business days but cost about $30 total.

Cities in St. Clair County

St. Clair County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Probate Court. Residents can use either the Ashville or Pell City office, whichever is closer or more convenient.

Main cities include Pell City, Moody, Springville, Odenville, and Ragland. None of these have their own marriage offices. All residents use the St. Clair County Probate Court for marriage filings and copies. The county does not have any cities over 50,000 people.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Clair County. If you live near a county line, check your address. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county.