Baldwin County Marriage License Records

Marriage licenses in Baldwin County are handled by the Probate Court in Bay Minette. This is Alabama's largest county by land area. Over 230,000 people live here. Baldwin County is a popular spot for beach weddings along the Gulf Coast. The county has four offices, but only Bay Minette handles marriage license filings. This guide explains how to file your marriage license in Baldwin County.

Baldwin County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court is the only place to file marriage licenses in Baldwin County. The main office is in Bay Minette. This is the county seat. It is in the northern part of the county. If you are in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, you have a drive ahead.

The Bay Minette office is open Monday through Friday. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes for state holidays. Plan your visit during regular hours. No appointment is needed for marriage license filing. Walk-ins are welcome.

Note: Baldwin County has satellite offices in Foley, Fairhope, and Robertsdale. These handle tags and other services. They do not handle marriage licenses. You must go to Bay Minette for that.

Baldwin County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Baldwin County is $73. This is slightly below the state average. You pay this when you file your marriage license. The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy.

Here is how the fee breaks down. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Small additional charges cover processing. The total comes to $73. This is a one-time cost.

Payment options include cash, check, and cards. Credit and debit cards may have a small service fee. Checks should be made out to Baldwin County Probate Court. If you mail your form, include a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail.

Need extra copies? Plan to pay about $5 per copy. Certified copies are useful for name changes and legal matters. Get a few when you file. This saves you a trip back to Bay Minette later.

How to File in Baldwin County

Filing a marriage license in Baldwin County is straightforward. Follow these steps to get it done right the first time. Preparation is key.

Start by getting the official form. Visit dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage to download it. The form must be typed. Print it out after you fill it in. Both parties complete their own sections. Double-check all information for accuracy.

To file your marriage license in Baldwin County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• $73 recording fee
• Social Security numbers for both parties

The notary step is essential. Both people must sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps the form. This makes it valid. Many banks offer free notary services. UPS stores and shipping centers also have notaries. The fee is usually $5 to $10.

Take the completed form to Bay Minette. Give it to the clerk with your IDs and payment. They check everything. If all is in order, they record it. You get a certified copy on the spot. The process takes about 20 minutes.

Remember the deadline. You must file within 30 days of the last signature. Your marriage is valid from that signature date. Not the filing date. Do not wait until the last day. Give yourself time in case of issues.

Can You Search Baldwin County Records Online?

Baldwin County has limited online access for marriage records. The county website offers some probate services. Tag renewals and property records are available online. Marriage license searches are more limited.

For recent marriage records, call the Probate Court at (251) 937-0260. Staff can search by name or date. They can confirm if a record exists. To get a certified copy, you need to visit in person or mail a request. Online ordering is not available directly through the county.

The state offers another option. Alabama Center for Health Statistics keeps marriage records from 1936 forward. Order copies through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The fee is $15 for the search and first copy. Additional copies cost $6 each. This is helpful if Bay Minette is too far.

For historical records, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized many Alabama marriage records. Baldwin County records may be in their collection. Access is free with an account. This is great for genealogy research.

Baldwin County's Multiple Offices

Baldwin County is large. It stretches from the bay to the Gulf beaches. The county operates four offices to serve residents. But here is the catch: only one handles marriage licenses.

The Bay Minette office is the main courthouse. This is where you file marriage licenses. It is the only location for this service. The other three offices are satellite locations. They handle tags, property tax, and other services. They cannot process marriage licenses.

Here are all Baldwin County office locations:

• Bay Minette (main courthouse, handles marriage licenses)
• Foley (satellite, no marriage services)
• Fairhope (satellite, no marriage services)
• Robertsdale (satellite, no marriage services)

This setup can be tricky for beach visitors. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are far from Bay Minette. The drive is about 45 minutes. Plan ahead if you are having a beach wedding. You can file in any Alabama county. Mobile County may be closer for some coastal locations.

Call before you visit. The phone number is (251) 937-0260. Confirm hours and make sure they have everything you need. This saves time, especially if you have a long drive.

Beach Weddings in Baldwin County

Baldwin County draws many couples for beach weddings. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are popular spots. The white sand and blue water make a nice backdrop. But remember: Alabama does not require a ceremony.

Under the 2019 law, no ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. Your marriage is legal once you sign the form and file it. If you want a ceremony, that is your choice. It has no legal effect. The beach ceremony is for you, not the state.

Many couples combine both. They sign the marriage license form, have it notarized, and file it. Then they hold a ceremony on the beach. Some do the filing before the ceremony. Others do it after. The order does not matter legally.

If you are having a destination wedding in Baldwin County, plan ahead. The filing office is in Bay Minette. This is not close to the beach. Some couples file in their home county before traveling. Others make the drive during their trip. A third option is to file after you return home, as long as it is within 30 days.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Marriage licenses are gone. The state now uses marriage licenses. This is a legal contract between two people. No ceremony or officiant is required. Alabama is the only state with this system.

The main law is Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1. It sets up the new system. Your marriage is valid when both parties sign and the form is recorded. You have 30 days to file after signing.

Age requirements are clear. You must be at least 16 to marry under Section 30-1-4. People aged 16 or 17 need parental consent. A parent must sign a notarized affidavit. This is covered in Section 30-1-5. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Section 22-9A-21 allows anyone to request copies. You do not need to be related. This makes record searches easier for genealogy and legal purposes.

One more rule: if you were recently divorced, you must wait 60 days to remarry. This applies across Alabama. Baldwin County follows this standard rule.

Search Baldwin County Records

Use our search tool to find marriage records and other public records in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Cities in Baldwin County

Baldwin County has many cities and towns. The largest include Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, and Gulf Shores. Bay Minette is the county seat. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Bay Minette, regardless of which city they live in.

No cities in Baldwin County have a population over 50,000. Daphne is the largest with about 28,000 residents. Fairhope has around 22,000. Gulf Shores has about 15,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the Bay Minette office.

Beach cities draw many visitors. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are resort towns. Couples who marry there must still file in Bay Minette. Or they can file in any other Alabama county. The choice is yours.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Baldwin County. You can file your marriage license in any Alabama county. If another location is more convenient, consider these options.