Search Walker County Marriage Records

Walker County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Jasper. This northwest Alabama county has about 67,000 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Walker County. A key fact for researchers: many early Walker County records were destroyed in an 1877 fire. This means marriage records before that year are largely lost. Modern records are well preserved and easy to access.

Walker County Probate Court

The Walker 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 Jasper at the courthouse. It is easy to find in the downtown area.

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 or ask about specific services. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Walker County.

Walker County has online records you can search. The county website has a portal for viewing some documents. This can help you find what you need before you visit. The Probate Court can provide certified copies of any marriage record they have on file.

The 1877 Courthouse Fire

Walker County lost many of its early records in an 1877 fire. This is critical for anyone doing family history research. Marriage records from before 1877 are largely gone. Some records may have survived in private hands or church records, but the official county copies burned. If you are looking for a marriage from before 1877, the Probate Court likely cannot help.

For pre-1877 research, try other sources. Church records from that era may still exist. Family bibles often recorded marriages. Newspaper announcements from the time period can help. The Alabama Department of Archives and History may have some materials. FamilySearch and Ancestry have compiled indexes that include some Walker County data.

Records after 1877 are available at the Probate Court. The county rebuilt its record-keeping system after the fire. Modern records are complete and well maintained. The state of Alabama began keeping copies in 1936, so records since then also exist at the state level.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Walker 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 Walker 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 Walker County Probate Court has notaries on staff who can help.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Jasper. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $78 recording fee. The fee includes one certified copy. Cash, check, and cards are accepted. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Walker 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

Walker County Marriage Fees

Walker 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 Walker County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $78 (includes one certified copy)
• Additional certified copy: $3.00 per page plus $1.00
• Notary service: varies

The recording fee includes one certified copy of your marriage certificate. This is helpful since most people need at least one copy right away. Extra copies cost a few dollars each. Call the Probate Court if you need many copies.

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.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Walker County marriage records in several ways. Remember that records before 1877 were lost in the fire. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the copy and whether you need a certified or plain copy.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court office in Jasper. 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. Walker County has online records you can search on their website.

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.

Historical Marriage Records

Walker County was formed in 1823. The 1877 fire destroyed most early records. This limits what you can find from the county's first 54 years. Records from 1877 forward are available at the Probate Court.

Records from the late 1800s 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. 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. The state began keeping copies in 1936.

For pre-1877 research, try the Alabama Department of Archives and History. FamilySearch has compiled indexes. Church records may have survived. Some families kept records in bibles. Newspapers from that era may have marriage announcements.

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 Walker 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 Walker County

Walker County has several cities and towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Walker County Probate Court in Jasper. Jasper is the largest city and county seat.

Cities in Walker County include Jasper, Carbon Hill, Cordova, Dora, Oakman, Parrish, and Sumiton. 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 Walker 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.