Dothan Marriage License Filing
Marriage licenses in Dothan are filed at the Houston County Probate Court. Dothan is known as the Peanut Capital of the World and has about 72,000 residents. The city is the largest in southeast Alabama and the county seat of Houston County. An important note: Houston County operates on a 4-day work week. The Probate Court is closed on Fridays. The recording fee is $80. This guide covers how to file your marriage license in Dothan.
Dothan Quick Facts
Where to File in Dothan
Dothan residents file marriage licenses at the Houston County Probate Court. The courthouse is at 462 North Oates Street in downtown Dothan. This is near the civic center.
Cities do not handle marriage records in Alabama. Only the county Probate Court can file your form. Houston County serves all residents of Dothan and surrounding areas.
| Office | Houston County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 462 North Oates Street Dothan, AL 36303 |
| Phone | (334) 677-4722 |
| Hours | Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM CLOSED FRIDAYS |
| Fee | $80 |
The courthouse is in downtown Dothan. Free parking is available. No appointment is needed. Walk in during office hours. Remember: the office is closed every Friday.
Dothan and the Peanut Festival
Dothan calls itself the Peanut Capital of the World. The city hosts the National Peanut Festival each November. Agriculture is a major industry here. The area grows about 25% of the peanuts produced in the United States.
Houston County operates on a 4-day work week. The Probate Court is open Monday through Thursday. It is closed every Friday. Hours are extended: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. This gives you more time on the days the office is open.
Plan your visit for Monday through Thursday. If you try to file on a Friday, the office will be closed. This schedule applies year-round, not just during holidays.
The 4-day schedule helps the county save on operating costs. Several Alabama counties use this schedule. It works well if you plan ahead.
How to Get a Marriage License in Dothan
Alabama uses marriage licenses, not licenses. This changed in 2019. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. No witnesses are required. The process is simple.
First, download the official form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed. Handwritten forms are rejected. Both parties fill out their sections.
Second, get both signatures notarized. Each party signs in front of an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notarization is not valid. Banks in Dothan offer notary services. Some shipping stores do too.
Third, file at the Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature. Pay $80. The marriage is legal on the date of the last signature, not the filing date.
Bring these items when you file:
- Completed marriage license form (typed)
- Both signatures notarized by Alabama notary
- Valid photo ID
- $80 recording fee
Dothan Marriage License Fees
Houston County charges $80 to record a marriage license. This is slightly above the state average. The fee includes the $60 Domestic Violence Trust Fund fee required by law.
The court accepts various payment methods. Cash and checks are accepted. Credit and debit cards may work with a fee. Call (334) 677-4722 to confirm payment options.
Certified copies cost extra. Contact the Probate Court for current copy fees. You can also get copies through VitalChek from the state for $15 plus service fees.
Can You Search Dothan Records Online?
Houston County uses the Ingenuity online system for some services. Contact the Probate Court at (334) 677-4722 for details on what records are available online.
For record searches, you can call the court. Staff can look up records by name or date. They can tell you if a record exists and how to get a copy.
For state records from August 1936 forward, use VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The state fee is $15 for the first certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each.
Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com has court records but focuses on court cases. Marriage licenses are probate records and may not appear there.
Alabama Marriage License Laws
Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. The law is Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1. It eliminated marriage licenses and created the new system.
Key requirements for marriage in Alabama:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old
- Ages 16-17 need notarized parental consent
- Both signatures must be notarized in Alabama
- File within 30 days of the last signature
- No ceremony, officiant, or witnesses required
Marriage records are public under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21. Anyone can request copies.
If you were divorced, wait 60 days before filing a new marriage license. This is required by state law.
Houston County Marriage Records
Dothan is in Houston County. All marriage licenses for Dothan residents are filed at the Houston County Probate Court. For more details on the court and its 4-day schedule, see the county page.
Other Alabama Cities
Looking for marriage license info in another Alabama city? Here are the other major cities with populations over 50,000.
- Huntsville (Madison County)
- Mobile (Mobile County)
- Birmingham (Jefferson County)
- Montgomery (Montgomery County)
- Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County)
- Hoover (Jefferson/Shelby County)
- Auburn (Lee County)
- Madison (Madison County)
- Decatur (Morgan County)
Search Marriage Records
Use our search tool to find marriage records and other public records for Dothan residents.