Chambers County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Chambers County are filed at the Probate Court in LaFayette. About 33,000 people live in this eastern Alabama county on the Georgia border. Chambers County has a unique feature: it straddles two time zones. The courthouse in LaFayette is on Central Time. Parts of the county near the Georgia line use Eastern Time. The court accepts cash only for marriage licenses.

Chambers County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Chambers County. The office is in the courthouse in LaFayette. This small city is the county seat. The courthouse is in the center of town. LaFayette operates on Central Time.

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

Note: The Probate Court accepts cash only for marriage licenses. No checks or cards. Bring exact change if possible.

Chambers County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Chambers County is $78. This is close to the state average. You pay this when you file. The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy.

The fee includes standard charges. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Additional local fees bring the total to $78. This is a one-time payment.

Payment is cash only. This is important. The court does not accept checks, credit cards, or debit cards for marriage licenses. Bring $78 in cash. Exact change helps. There may be an ATM nearby, but plan ahead.

Extra certified copies cost about $5 each. These are also cash only. Get a few when you file for name changes and other legal needs.

How to File in Chambers County

Filing a marriage license in Chambers County follows Alabama rules. The process is standard. Just remember to bring cash.

Start by getting the form. Download it from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed. Do not handwrite. Both parties fill out their sections. Print after completing all fields.

To file in Chambers County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties
• $78 in cash
• Social Security numbers

Both people sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs. Banks often offer free notary service. UPS stores charge a small fee. Complete this before visiting the courthouse.

Bring the notarized form to the Probate Court. Give it to the clerk with your IDs and cash. They check everything. If complete, they file it on the spot. 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.

Can You Search Chambers County Records Online?

Chambers County has limited online access for marriage records. Direct contact with the Probate Court is usually needed for specific searches.

Call (334) 864-4341 to search for records. Staff can look up names and dates. They can tell you if a record exists. For certified copies, you usually need to visit in person.

The state keeps records too. 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, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized Alabama marriage records. Access is free with an account.

Chambers County Time Zones

Chambers County has an unusual feature. It straddles two time zones. This can cause confusion. Know which time zone applies to your destination.

LaFayette, the county seat, is on Central Time. The Probate Court operates on Central Time. If you are filing your marriage license, use Central Time for planning. The office opens at 8:00 AM Central and closes at 4:30 PM Central.

Parts of the county near the Georgia border observe Eastern Time. Lanett and Valley are often on Eastern Time. If you live there, remember that the courthouse is one hour behind you. Leave early to account for the time change.

Here is a quick guide:

• LaFayette (courthouse): Central Time
• Lanett: Often Eastern Time
• Valley: Often Eastern Time
• Five Points: Central Time

The time zone line is not exact. Some businesses and residents choose which time to follow. When in doubt, call the courthouse and ask what time it is there. Better safe than arriving an hour late.

If you are coming from Georgia, remember Alabama is in Central Time. Except for the eastern edge of Chambers County. It can be confusing. Plan your trip carefully.

Cash Only Payment Policy

Chambers County is strict about payment. Cash only for marriage licenses. No checks. No credit cards. No debit cards. This policy is firm.

Why cash only? Small county offices sometimes avoid processing fees for checks and cards. The policy may also be a long-standing practice. Whatever the reason, come prepared.

Bring $78 in cash. Exact change is best. The clerk may have limited ability to make change for large bills. An ATM might be in town, but do not count on it. Plan ahead.

If you forget cash, you will need to leave and find an ATM. This wastes time. Do not let a simple payment issue delay your filing.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Marriage licenses are gone. The state uses licenses now. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. It is a legal contract.

Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 set up the new system. Your marriage is valid when both sign and the form is recorded. File within 30 days.

Under Section 30-1-4, you must be 16 or older. Ages 16-17 need parental consent per Section 30-1-5.

Marriage records are public under Section 22-9A-21. Anyone can request copies.

Wait 60 days after divorce to remarry. Chambers County follows this rule.

Search Chambers County Records

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

Cities in Chambers County

Chambers County has several towns. LaFayette is the county seat. Valley and Lanett are on the Georgia border. Other communities include Five Points and Huguley. All residents file at the Probate Court in LaFayette.

Valley has about 9,000 residents. Lanett has about 6,000. No city in Chambers County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in LaFayette.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chambers County. You can file in any Alabama county. If the cash-only policy is inconvenient, consider a nearby county.