Butler County Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Butler County are filed at the Probate Court in Greenville. About 19,000 people live in this south-central Alabama county. The recording fee is $70, tied for the lowest in the state. One important note: the office closes at noon on Wednesdays. Plan your visit accordingly to file your marriage license in Butler County.
Butler County Quick Facts
Butler County Probate Court Office
The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Butler County. The office is in the county courthouse in Greenville. This small city is the county seat. The courthouse sits on the main square downtown.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. But here is the catch: on Wednesdays, the office closes at noon. Do not show up Wednesday afternoon. Plan for another day or come in the morning. The court is closed on state holidays.
| Office | Butler County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Court Square Greenville, AL 36037 |
| Phone | (334) 382-3512 |
| Hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
Note: Always call ahead on Wednesdays to confirm the noon closure. Hours may change for special circumstances.
Butler County Marriage License Fees
The recording fee in Butler County is $70. This is tied for the lowest in Alabama. You pay this amount when you file. The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy.
The fee includes state-mandated charges. The base court fee is $10. The Domestic Violence Trust Fund adds $60. Butler County does not add local fees. That is why the cost is lower here.
Cash and checks are accepted. Credit and debit cards may work with a service fee. Ask when you arrive. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to Butler County Probate Court.
Extra certified copies cost about $5 each. Order a few when you file. You may need them for name changes or insurance updates.
How to File in Butler County
Filing a marriage license in Butler County follows standard Alabama rules. The process is not complicated. Just avoid Wednesday afternoons.
First, download the form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage to get it. Type the information. Do not handwrite. Print after completing. Both parties fill out their own sections.
To file in Butler County, bring these items:
- Completed marriage license form (typed)
- Valid photo ID for both parties
- Notarized signatures from both parties
- $70 recording fee
- Social Security numbers
Both people must sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs. Banks often offer free notary service. UPS stores charge a small fee. Get this done before visiting the courthouse.
Bring the notarized form to the Probate Court. The clerk reviews it. If complete, they file it right away. You get a certified copy. The process takes 15 to 20 minutes. File within 30 days of the last signature.
Can You Search Butler County Records Online?
Butler County uses the Ingenuity platform for some services. Online access to marriage records may be limited. Direct contact with the Probate Court is often needed for specific searches.
Call (334) 382-3512 to search for records. Staff can look up names and dates. They can confirm if a record exists. For certified copies, you may need to visit or mail a request.
The state also keeps records. Alabama Center for Health Statistics has marriage records from 1936 forward. Order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The fee is $15 for search and first copy.
For genealogy research, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized many Alabama marriage records. Access is free with an account.
Butler County Office Hours
The Wednesday noon closing is important. Do not miss this detail. If you show up Wednesday afternoon, you will find closed doors. This has been a long-standing schedule in Butler County.
Why the early closing? Small county offices sometimes have staffing limits. The half-day on Wednesday may allow for training, meetings, or other administrative work. Whatever the reason, plan around it.
Best days to visit Butler County for marriage filing:
- Monday: Full day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: Full day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: Morning only, closes at noon
- Thursday: Full day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Friday: Full day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
If Wednesday is your only option, arrive early. The office opens at 8:00 AM. Come before 11:30 AM to allow time for processing. Call ahead to make sure the morning schedule is still in effect.
Marriage License Laws in Alabama
Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Marriage licenses are no longer issued. The state uses marriage licenses now. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. It is a legal contract.
The main statute is Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1. This law created the new system. Your marriage is valid when both sign and the form is recorded. You have 30 days to file.
Under Section 30-1-4, you must be at least 16 to marry. Ages 16-17 need parental consent per Section 30-1-5. No one under 16 can marry.
Marriage records are public under Section 22-9A-21. Anyone can request copies.
Wait 60 days after divorce to remarry. Butler County follows this standard rule.
Search Butler County Records
Use our search tool to find marriage records and other public records in Butler County, Alabama.
Cities in Butler County
Butler County has a few towns. Greenville is the largest and county seat. Other communities include Georgiana and McKenzie. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Greenville.
Greenville has about 7,500 residents. It sits along Interstate 65. The town is known as the birthplace of Hank Williams. No city in Butler County has a population over 50,000. Everyone uses the single courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Butler County. You can file in any Alabama county. If Wednesday is your only free day, consider a nearby county with full hours.