Tuscaloosa County Marriage Records

Tuscaloosa County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Tuscaloosa. This west-central Alabama county has about 231,800 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Tuscaloosa County. The city of Tuscaloosa is the county seat and home to the University of Alabama. The large student population means the Probate Court stays busy. Tuscaloosa County is the sixth most populous county in the state.

Tuscaloosa County Probate Court

The Tuscaloosa 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. The office is in downtown Tuscaloosa near the courthouse. It is easy to find and has parking nearby.

The Probate Court is open Monday through Friday. You can file your marriage certificate during regular business hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you want to check wait times. The university calendar can affect how busy the office is. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Tuscaloosa County.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Tuscaloosa 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 to be married in Tuscaloosa County.

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 Tuscaloosa County Probate Court has notaries on staff who can help. There may be a small extra fee for notary service.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Tuscaloosa. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee of $70 to $75. Cash, check, and cards are accepted. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Tuscaloosa 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

Tuscaloosa County Marriage Fees

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

These are the main fees at the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $70 to $75
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page plus $3.00 certification
• Additional certified copies: same rate
• Notary service: varies

Tuscaloosa County has one of the lower recording fees in Alabama. The state average is about $75 to $80. This makes Tuscaloosa County a good choice if you want to save on filing costs. You can file in any Alabama county, not just where you live.

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 Tuscaloosa County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Tuscaloosa 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 the Probate Court office in Tuscaloosa. 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. Tuscaloosa County has online records you can search. Visit tuscco.com to learn more.

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

Tuscaloosa County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1818. Tuscaloosa was the state capital from 1826 to 1846. This history means the county has extensive records. Old records contain different information than modern ones.

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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The city of Tuscaloosa is the largest and is home to the University of Alabama.

Other cities in Tuscaloosa County include Northport, Moundville, Brookwood, Coaling, Lake View, and Vance. All file marriage certificates at the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tuscaloosa 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.