Cherokee County Marriage License Records

Marriage licenses in Cherokee County are filed at the Probate Court in Centre. About 26,000 people live in this northeastern Alabama county. Cherokee County stands out for having a dedicated online probate records portal through CountyGovServices. This makes searching for marriage records easier than in many other Alabama counties.

Cherokee County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Cherokee County. The office is in the Cherokee County Courthouse in Centre. This small town is the county seat. It sits near Weiss Lake in the foothills of the Appalachians.

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

Note: Cherokee County uses CountyGovServices for online record access. Check their portal for available services.

Cherokee County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Cherokee County is $81. This is slightly above the state average. You pay this when you file. The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy.

The fee breaks down like this. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Additional local fees bring the total to $81. This is a one-time payment.

The court accepts multiple payment methods. Cash is accepted. Checks work too. Ask about credit and debit cards when you arrive. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Cherokee 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 purposes.

How to File in Cherokee County

Filing a marriage license in Cherokee County follows the standard Alabama process. The steps are straightforward. Prepare in advance for a smooth experience.

First, download the form. Visit dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage to get it. The form must be typed. Do not handwrite. Both parties complete their own sections. Print after filling in all details.

To file in Cherokee County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties
• $81 recording fee
• Social Security numbers

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 also have notaries for a small fee. Complete this step before visiting the courthouse.

Bring the notarized form to the Probate Court. The clerk checks it. If complete, they file it right away. You get a certified copy on the spot. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Remember the 30-day deadline. File within 30 days of the last signature. Your marriage is valid from that date.

Cherokee County Online Portal

Cherokee County has better online access than most Alabama counties. The county uses CountyGovServices for its online probate records portal. This is a significant advantage for record searches.

The portal lets you search probate records from home. You can look up marriage records, property records, and other documents. The system is easy to use. Enter a name or date to search. Results show available records.

Here is what you can do through the online portal:

• Search for marriage records by name
• View document indexes
• Check recording dates and details
• See what records are available

The portal may not have images of all documents. For certified copies, you still need to contact the Probate Court. But the search function saves time. You can verify a record exists before visiting or calling.

Visit the Cherokee County website to access the CountyGovServices portal. Or call (256) 927-3668 for help with online searches. The staff can guide you to the right records.

Can You Search Cherokee County Records Online?

Yes, Cherokee County offers online record searches. The CountyGovServices portal provides access to probate records. This includes marriage records. The system is one of the better options in Alabama.

For a full search, use the county portal first. It shows what records exist. Then contact the Probate Court for certified copies. Call (256) 927-3668 if you need help. Staff can pull specific records and make copies.

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

For genealogy research, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized many Alabama marriage records. Access is free with an account.

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. Alabama is the only state with this system.

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.

After divorce, wait 60 days to remarry. Cherokee County follows this standard rule.

Search Cherokee County Records

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

Cities in Cherokee County

Cherokee County has several small towns. Centre is the county seat and largest community. Other towns include Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, and Gaylesville. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Centre.

Centre has about 3,500 residents. The area is known for Weiss Lake, called the Crappie Capital of the World. No city in Cherokee County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Centre.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cherokee County. You can file your marriage license in any Alabama county. Consider nearby options based on convenience.