Winston County Marriage Records Search

Winston County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Double Springs. This northwest Alabama county has about 23,600 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Winston County. A key fact: Winston County requires all marriage filings to be done in person. You cannot mail in your marriage certificate. This is different from most Alabama counties.

Winston County Probate Court

The Winston 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 Double Springs on Highway 195. Double Springs is a small town in the William B. Bankhead National Forest area.

The Probate Court is open Monday through Friday. You must file your marriage certificate in person during business hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead to check exact hours. Staff can answer questions about the filing process in Winston County. They can also help with searches for old records.

Winston County has a unique history. It is called the "Free State of Winston" because it opposed secession during the Civil War. The county has kept records since 1891. Earlier records are limited. Modern records are well maintained and easy to access through the Probate Court.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Winston County must be done in person. This is the key rule to remember. You cannot mail your form. You must visit the Probate Court in Double Springs. 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.

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 Winston County Probate Court has notaries available. You can get the form notarized when you visit.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court office in Double Springs. Both parties do not need to be present for filing. One person can file for both. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $74 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.

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

Cannot Visit Winston County?

If you cannot visit Winston County in person, you have options. Alabama law lets you file your marriage certificate in any county. You do not have to file in the county where you live. You can file in any of the 66 other Alabama counties that accept mail filings.

Some nearby counties that accept mail filings include Walker County, Cullman County, and Marion County. Call these offices to ask about their mail-in process. They can tell you what to send and how to pay the fee. This is a good option if the trip to Double Springs is too far.

Remember, you have 30 days from the last signature to file. Plan ahead so you do not miss this deadline. If you wait too long, you may face issues with your marriage being valid. File as soon as you can after both parties sign.

Winston County Marriage Fees

Winston 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 Winston County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $74 (includes one certified copy)
• Additional certified copies: contact office for rates
• Notary service: available at the office

The recording fee includes one certified copy of your marriage certificate. This is helpful since most people need at least one copy right away. The fee is slightly below the state average. Extra copies cost a few dollars each.

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 Winston 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 Double Springs. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. Winston County has some records you can search in the office. Call ahead to ask about mail requests for copies.

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

Winston County has marriage records from 1891 forward. The county was formed in 1858 but early records are limited. If you are doing family research for marriages before 1891, you may need to check other sources. Records from 1891 onward are available at the Probate Court.

Winston County has a unique Civil War history. It was called the "Free State of Winston" because residents opposed secession. The county voted against leaving the Union. This independent spirit is still part of local identity. The county's history makes it interesting for genealogy research.

Records from before 1910 show basic facts. These include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen and officiants. Starting in 1910, records got more detailed with parents' names, ages, and occupations. The state began keeping copies in 1936.

FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online. The Alabama Department of Archives and History may have some materials. These can help you find records before you visit 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 Winston 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 Winston County

Winston County has several small towns. All of them file marriage certificates at the Winston County Probate Court in Double Springs. Remember that filing must be done in person.

Towns in Winston County include Double Springs, Haleyville, Addison, Lynn, and Arley. Haleyville is known as the site of the first 911 call in the United States. 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 Winston County. If you cannot file in person in Winston County, you may file in any Alabama county. Some of these nearby counties accept mail filings.