Access Wilcox County Marriage Records

Wilcox County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Camden. This south-central Alabama county has about 10,600 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Wilcox County. The county was formed in 1819, the same year Alabama became a state. This means Wilcox County has excellent historical records dating back over 200 years.

Wilcox County Probate Court

The Wilcox 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 Camden at the courthouse on Broad Street. Camden is a small historic town along the Alabama River.

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 from time to time.

You will need photo ID when you visit. The Probate Court requires identification for all transactions. Bring a valid driver's license or state ID. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Wilcox County. They can also help you search for old marriage records.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

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

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Camden. 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. Bring photo ID. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Wilcox 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

Wilcox County Marriage Fees

Wilcox 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. Wilcox 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 Wilcox 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 Wilcox 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 Camden. Bring photo 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. Wilcox County has some online records available.

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

Wilcox County has excellent historical records. The county was formed in 1819, the same year Alabama became a state. Marriage records have been kept from the very beginning. This makes Wilcox County valuable for family history research. Over 200 years of records are on file.

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 Wilcox County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Wilcox 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 Wilcox 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 Wilcox County

Wilcox County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Wilcox County Probate Court in Camden. Camden is the county seat and largest town.

Towns in Wilcox County include Camden, Pine Apple, Pine Hill, Yellow Bluff, Alberta, and Annemanie. 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 Wilcox 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.