Barbour County Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in Barbour County can be filed at two locations. The county has courthouses in both Clayton and Eufaula. Either location handles marriage license recording. About 24,000 people live in Barbour County. The area sits along the Chattahoochee River on the Georgia border. This dual courthouse setup gives residents options for where to file.

Barbour County Probate Court Offices

Barbour County operates two courthouses. Clayton is the official county seat. It has the main Probate Court. Eufaula also has a courthouse with probate services. Both handle marriage license filings. Pick the one closer to you.

The Clayton office is in the center of town. It is a historic building. The Eufaula office is on the eastern side of the county, near Lake Eufaula. Both offices have the same hours. Both charge the same fees. Both can record your marriage license.

Note: Call ahead to confirm the location you plan to visit can handle your filing that day. Staff availability may vary.

Barbour County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Barbour County is $85. This is higher than the state average. The fee is the same at both courthouse locations. You pay when you file your license.

The fee covers several things. The base court fee is $10. The state requires $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Additional fees cover processing and certification. The total is $85. This includes one certified copy of your marriage license.

Payment methods vary by location. Cash is accepted at both. Checks are usually fine. Ask about card payments when you call. If mailing your form, send a check or money order. Make it payable to Barbour County Probate Court.

Extra certified copies cost about $5 each. Order a few when you file. You may need them for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters. Getting them now saves a trip later.

How to File in Barbour County

Filing your marriage license in Barbour County follows the standard Alabama process. The steps are the same at either courthouse. Here is what to do.

First, download the official form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage for the form. It must be typed on a computer. Print it after filling it out. Handwritten forms are rejected. Both parties complete their own sections.

To file in Barbour County, you need these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties
• $85 recording fee
• Social Security numbers

Both parties must sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs the form. This step is required. Banks often offer free notary services. UPS stores and shipping centers also have notaries. The fee is usually $5 to $10 per signature.

Take the notarized form to either courthouse. The clerk reviews it. If complete, they record it on the spot. You get a certified copy. The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure you file within 30 days of the last signature.

Can You Search Barbour County Records Online?

Barbour County has limited online records access. The county does not have a full online portal for marriage records. You can search some property records online. Marriage licenses usually require a direct request.

To find a marriage record, call the Probate Court at (334) 775-8371. Staff can search by name or date. They can tell you if a record exists. To get a copy, you typically need to visit or mail a written request.

The state offers another option. Alabama Center for Health Statistics has marriage records from 1936 on. Order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The fee is $15 for search and first copy. Extra copies cost $6 each.

For historical research, check FamilySearch.org. They have digitized many Alabama marriage records. Barbour County records may be in their database. Access is free with an account.

Barbour County's Two Courthouses

Barbour County is one of several Alabama counties with dual courthouses. This dates back to the 1800s. Clayton and Eufaula both wanted to be the county seat. The solution was to build courthouses in both towns. This tradition continues today.

For marriage licenses, this is convenient. You can file at either location. Pick the one closer to you. Both offer the same services. Both charge the same fees. Both have the same hours.

Clayton is the official county seat. It is a small town in the western part of the county. The courthouse is the historic main building. Eufaula is larger and sits on Lake Eufaula. The courthouse there is sometimes called the annex. But it offers full probate services.

If you are not sure which to visit, consider your location. Coming from Dothan or southeast Alabama, Eufaula may be closer. Coming from Montgomery or central Alabama, Clayton is likely easier to reach. Call ahead to confirm hours at your chosen location.

Note: While both locations handle marriage licenses, some other county services may only be at one location. If you need multiple services, ask when you call.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. The state stopped issuing marriage licenses. Instead, couples use marriage licenses. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. The license is a legal contract.

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

Age rules are set by Section 30-1-4. You must be at least 16 to marry. People 16 or 17 need parental consent under Section 30-1-5. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama.

Marriage records are public. Anyone can request copies under Section 22-9A-21. You do not need to be related to the couple. This makes research easier.

The 60-day rule applies if you were recently divorced. You must wait 60 days after your divorce is final before you can remarry. Barbour County follows this standard rule.

Search Barbour County Records

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

Cities in Barbour County

Barbour County has several towns. The largest is Eufaula with about 12,000 residents. Clayton is smaller but serves as the county seat. Other communities include Clio and Louisville. All residents can file at either the Clayton or Eufaula courthouse.

Eufaula is known for historic homes and Lake Eufaula. The lake draws fishing and boating visitors. Clayton is a quiet county seat town. Both have courthouse facilities for marriage license filing.

No cities in Barbour County have populations over 50,000. For marriage license services, residents use the Probate Court at either courthouse location.

Nearby Counties

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