Blount County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Blount County are filed at the Probate Court in Oneonta. About 59,000 people live in this north-central Alabama county. Blount County has a unique touch: the judge encourages couples to have ceremonies at the courthouse. While ceremonies are not required in Alabama, the option is there if you want one. The county also has an annex in Hayden for some services.

Blount County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court is in the Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta. This is the main office for marriage licenses. The courthouse sits in the center of town. Parking is available nearby. The office handles all marriage filings for the county.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The court closes for state holidays. Walk-ins are welcome for marriage license filing. No appointment is needed. Arrive before 4:00 PM to allow processing time.

Note: The county has an annex in Hayden for some services. Call to confirm if the Hayden location handles marriage licenses or if you need to go to Oneonta.

Blount County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Blount County is $75. This is close to the state average. You pay this amount when you file. The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy.

The fee includes several parts. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Additional charges cover processing. The total comes to $75. This is a one-time payment.

Payment options include cash and checks. Credit and debit cards may be accepted with a small fee. Ask at the counter. For mail-in filings, send a check or money order payable to Blount County Probate Court.

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

How to File in Blount County

Filing a marriage license in Blount County follows the standard Alabama process. The steps are straightforward. Preparation makes it go smoothly.

First, get the official form. Download it from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed on a computer. Handwritten forms are not accepted. Both parties complete their own sections. Check all information carefully.

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

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• $75 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 and signs the form. Banks often provide free notary service. UPS stores and shipping centers also have notaries. Expect to pay $5 to $10 per signature if there is a charge.

Bring the notarized form to the courthouse. Hand it to the clerk with your IDs and payment. They review everything. If the form is complete, they record it right away. You get a certified copy. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

File within 30 days of the last signature. Your marriage is valid from that date, not the filing date. Do not let the form expire.

Can You Search Blount County Records Online?

Blount County uses the Ingenuity platform for some online services. This lets you access certain records from home. Marriage records may have limited online access. Direct contact with the Probate Court is often needed.

To search for a specific record, call (205) 973-0584. Staff can look up records by name or date. They can confirm if a record exists. For a certified copy, you usually need to visit in person or send a mail request.

The state also has records. Alabama Center for Health Statistics keeps marriage records from 1936 to present. Order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The state fee is $15 for search and first copy. Extra copies are $6.

For family history research, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized many Alabama marriage records. Access is free with an account. Blount County records may be in their collection.

Marriage Ceremonies in Blount County

Blount County stands out for one reason: the judge encourages ceremonies. Under Alabama law, no ceremony is required. Your marriage is legal once you file the notarized form. But many couples still want a ceremony. Blount County welcomes this.

The Probate Judge can perform ceremonies at the courthouse. This is optional. Some judges charge a small fee. Others do it for free. Call ahead to ask about ceremony options. You will need to schedule a time.

If you want a ceremony in Blount County, here is what to know:

• Ceremonies are optional, not required
• Contact the Probate Court to schedule
• Ask about any fees for the ceremony
• You still need to file the marriage license form
• Bring witnesses if you want them at the ceremony

The ceremony does not change the legal process. You still complete the form, get it notarized, and pay the recording fee. The ceremony is extra. It makes the day more special for some couples. Others skip it entirely.

If you hold a ceremony elsewhere, that is fine too. Many couples marry at churches, parks, or homes. The location does not matter legally. Just file your form at the Probate Court within 30 days.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. Marriage licenses are no longer issued. The state now uses marriage licenses. This is a legal contract. No ceremony or officiant is required. Alabama is the only state with this system.

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

Age rules are set in Section 30-1-4. You must be at least 16 to marry. Ages 16 and 17 need parental consent under Section 30-1-5. A parent signs a notarized affidavit. No one under 16 can marry.

Marriage records are public under Section 22-9A-21. Anyone can request copies. You do not need to be related. This helps with research and legal matters.

After a divorce, wait 60 days before remarrying. This is state law. Blount County follows this standard.

Search Blount County Records

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

Cities in Blount County

Blount County has several communities. Oneonta is the largest and serves as the county seat. Other towns include Hayden, Cleveland, Locust Fork, and Blountsville. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Oneonta.

The county is mostly rural. It sits between Birmingham and Huntsville. No city in Blount County has a population over 50,000. For marriage license services, everyone uses the courthouse in Oneonta.

Nearby Counties

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