Chilton County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Chilton County are filed at the Probate Court in Clanton. About 45,000 people live in this central Alabama county known for peaches. The Probate Court offers four public computer terminals for searching records. This makes it easier to find marriage records and other documents when you visit in person.

Chilton County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Chilton County. The office is in the county courthouse in Clanton. This city is the county seat and largest town. The courthouse is in the downtown area, easy to find off Interstate 65.

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 to allow processing time.

Note: Chilton County uses the Ingenuity platform for online services. Check availability before visiting.

Chilton County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Chilton County is $78. This matches the state average. You pay this amount 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.

The court accepts several payment methods. Cash works. Checks are accepted. Credit and debit cards may have a service fee. Ask when you arrive. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Chilton County Probate Court.

Extra certified copies cost about $5 each. Get a few when you file. You may need them for name changes or legal documents.

How to File in Chilton County

Filing a marriage license in Chilton County follows standard Alabama rules. The process is simple. Prepare your documents in advance.

First, download the form. Go to dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage to get it. Type the information. Do not handwrite. Both parties fill out their sections. Print after completing all fields.

To file in Chilton County, bring these items:

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

Both people must sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs. Banks often have free notary services. UPS stores charge 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. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

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

Chilton County Public Computers

Chilton County offers a useful feature: four public computer terminals for searching records. These are in the Probate Court office. Anyone can use them during business hours. No appointment is needed.

The terminals let you search county records. You can look up marriage records, property records, and other documents. The system is connected to the county's Ingenuity database. It is like having online access at the courthouse.

Here is what you can do at the public terminals:

• Search for marriage records by name or date
• Look up property records and deeds
• Find probate filings and court documents
• Print search results if needed

This is helpful for genealogy research. You can search at your own pace. Staff is nearby if you need help. For certified copies, take your findings to the clerk. They can pull the original records and make copies.

The terminals are free to use. There may be a small charge for printing. This option is better than calling with search requests. You can see results immediately and refine your search as needed.

Can You Search Chilton County Records Online?

Chilton County uses the Ingenuity platform for some online services. Online access to marriage records may be available. The county website has information about their portal. Check there first.

If online search is limited, use the public computer terminals at the courthouse. Or call (205) 755-1555 to search for records. Staff can look up names and dates. They can confirm if a record exists.

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, try FamilySearch.org. They have digitized 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. 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.

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

Search Chilton County Records

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

Cities in Chilton County

Chilton County has several towns. Clanton is the largest and county seat. Other communities include Jemison, Maplesville, and Thorsby. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Clanton.

Clanton has about 9,000 residents. The area is known for the Peach Park and the Peach Festival. No city in Chilton County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Clanton.

Nearby Counties

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