Find Marriage Records in Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Dadeville. This east-central Alabama county has about 41,400 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Tallapoosa County. What makes this county unique is that it has three service locations. The main office is in Dadeville. Satellite offices are in Alexander City and Tallassee. These extra locations make it easier for residents across the county to access services.

Tallapoosa County Probate Court

The Tallapoosa 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. Tallapoosa County stands out because it has three office locations. This gives residents more options for where to file.

The main office in Dadeville is open Monday through Friday. It offers full services all week. The Alexander City satellite is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The Tallassee satellite is open Monday only from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. Plan your visit based on which office works best for you. Call ahead to confirm hours since they can change.

You can file your marriage certificate at any of the three offices. All locations accept walk-ins during business hours. The offices are closed on weekends and state holidays. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Tallapoosa County. They can also help you find old marriage records.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Tallapoosa 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.

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 Tallapoosa County Probate Court can provide notary services. Ask about this when you visit.

Then bring the signed form to any of the three Probate Court locations. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee. Call ahead to confirm the exact amount since fees can change. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Tallapoosa 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

Tallapoosa County Marriage Fees

Tallapoosa County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. The fees are set by state law and county policy. You should call the Probate Court to confirm current rates before you visit. Fees can change from time to time.

Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $90 to record a marriage certificate. Tallapoosa County fees are in this range. Certified copies of marriage records cost a few dollars per page. The Probate Court can tell you the exact fee when you call. Most offices accept cash, checks, and cards.

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, you must use the Tallapoosa County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Tallapoosa County marriage records in several ways. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the copy and whether you need a certified or plain copy. Both the county and state can provide copies.

For county copies, visit any of the three Probate Court offices in Tallapoosa County. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests. The main Dadeville office handles most requests.

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 state a reason for the request.

Historical Marriage Records

Tallapoosa County has marriage records going back many years. Old records contain different information than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage took place. The county was formed in 1832.

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 useful for family history research in Tallapoosa County.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have 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 Tallapoosa County records.

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 an option if you cannot visit the Tallapoosa County Probate Court or 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.

Cities in Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Tallapoosa County Probate Court. Residents can use the Dadeville main office or either satellite office in Alexander City or Tallassee.

Cities in Tallapoosa County include Alexander City, Dadeville, Tallassee, Camp Hill, Goldville, and New Site. Alexander City is the largest town. None of these cities have populations over 50,000, so all residents use the county Probate Court for marriage services.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tallapoosa 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.