Washington County Marriage Records

Washington County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Chatom. This southwest Alabama county has about 16,000 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Washington County. This is one of Alabama's oldest counties. It was formed in 1800, before Alabama became a state. The county has a long history of record-keeping that family researchers find valuable.

Washington County Probate Court

The Washington 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 Chatom at the courthouse. Chatom is a small town, so the office is easy to find.

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 before you visit. This is a small county office, so hours may vary. Staff can tell you what you need to bring.

Washington County is a rural area. The Probate Court serves a spread-out population. Some people drive a good distance to reach Chatom. Plan your trip ahead of time. Make sure you have all your paperwork ready before you arrive. This saves you from making a second trip.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Probate Court may have notary services. Call ahead to ask.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Chatom. 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. Cash and checks are usually accepted. Ask about card payments when you call. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt.

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

Washington County Marriage Fees

Washington 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. Washington County fees are likely 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.

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 Washington County Probate Court.

This is a small rural county. Payment options may be limited. Call ahead to ask what forms of payment they take. Most small county offices accept cash and checks. Some now take cards as well.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Washington 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 Chatom. 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.

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

Washington County has marriage records going back many years. The county was formed in 1800. This is one of Alabama's oldest counties. It existed before Alabama became a state in 1819. The long history means the county has extensive old records.

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 Washington County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Washington County records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. These can help you find a record before you request 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 an option if you cannot visit the Washington 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 Washington County

Washington County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Washington County Probate Court in Chatom. Chatom is the county seat.

Towns in Washington County include Chatom, McIntosh, Millry, and Fruitdale. This is a rural area with small communities. None of these towns have populations over 50,000, so all residents use the county Probate Court for marriage services.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington 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.