Access Talladega County Marriage Records

Talladega County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Talladega. This county has about 83,000 residents and sits in east-central Alabama. The county is home to Talladega Superspeedway, one of NASCAR's most famous tracks. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Talladega County has two office locations. The main office is at the historic courthouse in Talladega. There is also an annex in Sylacauga.

Talladega County Probate Court

The Talladega County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The main office is in the historic courthouse in downtown Talladega. This is the oldest functioning courthouse in Alabama. The building has been in use since the 1830s. It is a point of pride for the county.

The Probate Judge leads the office. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate. They can also search for and copy old records. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office is not as busy as courts in larger cities. Wait times are usually short.

There is also an annex office in Sylacauga for some services. Call ahead to confirm which services are at which location. For marriage filings, the main Talladega office is the primary location. The Sylacauga annex handles some related services.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Talladega 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 and file it at the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be married.

First, get the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. Two forms exist. 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. You can sign on the same day or different days. The marriage date is when the last person signs. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries do not work. The Talladega County Probate Court has notaries on staff who can help.

After you sign the form, bring it to the Probate Court in Talladega. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $79 recording fee in CASH. This is important. Cards and checks are not accepted for this fee. Bring cash. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married.

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

Talladega County Marriage Fees

Talladega County charges fees for recording marriages and for copies. The most important thing to know is that the Probate Court is CASH ONLY for recording fees. Do not plan to pay with a card or check. You must bring cash.

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

• Marriage certificate recording: $79.00 (CASH ONLY)
• Certified copy: $4.00 per page
• Additional copies: $4.00 per page
• Notary service: may be extra

The $79 recording fee is about average for Alabama. It falls in the mid-range of county fees. Bring exact change if you can. The office may not have change for large bills. Call ahead if you have questions about payment options for other services.

If you want state copies, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search and one copy. Extra copies cost $6. VitalChek online orders run about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. State orders can be paid by card.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

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

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Talladega. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search records and make copies. In-person requests often finish the same day. Copies cost $4 per page. The county has an online presence at talladegacountyal.org with more info.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the fee. You can also use vitalchek.com. State records go back to 1936. 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.

Historical Marriage Records

Talladega County has marriage records going back many decades. The county was formed in 1832. The historic courthouse has stored records since then. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Early records show basic facts. They include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen and officiants. They show the marriage date. These old records are handwritten. Staff can help you read them if the script is hard to make out.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They began to list parents' names. Ages, occupations, and physical descriptions were added. Prior marriages were noted. This extra data helps with family history research.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some Talladega records on microfilm. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. These can help you find a record before you order a copy 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. This is useful if you cannot visit Talladega County in person. It also helps if you do not know which county has the record.

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

Cities in Talladega County

Talladega County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Talladega County Probate Court. Residents can use the main office in Talladega or ask about services at the Sylacauga annex.

Main cities include Talladega, Sylacauga, Lincoln, Childersburg, and Munford. None have their own marriage offices. All residents use the Talladega County Probate Court. Remember to bring cash for the $79 recording fee. The county does not have any cities over 50,000.

Nearby Counties

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