Madison Marriage License Records
Marriage licenses in Madison are filed at the Madison County Probate Court. The City of Madison is in Madison County, just west of Huntsville. About 67,000 people live in Madison. Despite being a separate city, Madison residents use the same Probate Court as Huntsville residents. The court has the second highest recording fee in Alabama at $89. This guide explains how to file your marriage license if you live in Madison.
Madison Quick Facts
Where to File in Madison
Madison residents file marriage licenses at the Madison County Probate Court. The main office is at 1918 Memorial Parkway NW in Huntsville. This is about 10 miles from downtown Madison. The county also has a satellite office.
Cities do not handle marriage records in Alabama. Only the county Probate Court can file your form. Madison County serves both the City of Madison and Huntsville.
| Office | Madison County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1918 Memorial Parkway NW Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fee | $89 (second highest in Alabama) |
The main office is on Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. Free parking is available. No appointment is needed. Bring your completed form and valid photo ID. Staff can answer questions about the process.
Madison and Huntsville
The City of Madison and the City of Huntsville are both in Madison County. They share the same Probate Court. This can be confusing because the names are so similar. The city is Madison. The county is also Madison. But they are different things.
Madison is a separate incorporated city. It has its own city government, schools, and services. But for marriage licenses, Madison residents go to the same place as Huntsville residents. The Madison County Probate Court handles both cities.
Madison County has two Probate Court locations. The main office is in Huntsville. There may be a satellite office closer to Madison. Call (256) 532-3330 to ask about all locations and their services.
The $89 fee is the same at all Madison County locations. This is the second highest fee in Alabama. Only Calhoun County is higher at $104.
How to Get a Marriage License in Madison
Alabama uses marriage licenses, not licenses. This changed in 2019. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. No witnesses are required. Just file a form.
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 and shipping stores have notary services.
Third, file at the Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature. Pay $89. 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
- $89 recording fee
Madison Marriage License Fees
Madison County charges $89 to record a marriage license. This is the second highest fee in Alabama. Only Calhoun County charges more at $104. The fee includes the $60 Domestic Violence Trust Fund fee required by law.
In person, you can pay with cash, credit card, or debit card. For mail requests, use a certified check or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. There may be a card processing fee.
Certified copies cost extra. Call (256) 532-3330 for copy fees. You can also get copies through VitalChek from the state for $15 plus service fees.
Note: The $89 fee is for recording only. Madison County staff cannot notarize your form. Get notary services elsewhere before filing.
Can You Search Madison Records Online?
Madison County has limited online access for marriage records. The county does not use Landmark WEB or a full online portal. For record searches, contact the Probate Court directly.
Call (256) 532-3330 to request a search. 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.
Madison County Marriage Records
Madison is in Madison County. All marriage licenses for Madison residents are filed at the Madison County Probate Court. For more details on the court, fees, and locations, 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)
- Dothan (Houston County)
- Decatur (Morgan County)
Search Marriage Records
Use our search tool to find marriage records and other public records for Madison residents.