Cleburne County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Cleburne County are filed at the Probate Court in Heflin. About 15,000 people live in this eastern Alabama county near the Georgia border. One detail to note: Cleburne County no longer offers wedding ceremonies at the courthouse. Under Alabama's 2019 law, ceremonies are not required anyway. File your notarized form and your marriage is legal.

Cleburne County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Cleburne County. The office is in the courthouse in Heflin. This small town is the county seat. The courthouse is downtown, easy to find.

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: Cleburne County uses the Ingenuity platform for some online services. Check availability before visiting.

Cleburne County Marriage License Fees

Contact the Cleburne County Probate Court for the current recording fee. Fee information was not readily available. Most Alabama counties charge between $70 and $85. Call (256) 463-5655 before visiting.

The fee covers recording, state filing, and one certified copy. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Additional local fees may apply.

The court accepts several payment methods. Cash is accepted. Checks usually work. Ask about credit and debit cards when you call. For mail requests, confirm the exact fee and send a check or money order.

Extra certified copies cost a few dollars each. Get several when you file. They are useful for name changes and other legal purposes.

How to File in Cleburne County

Filing a marriage license in Cleburne County follows standard Alabama rules. The process is the same as other counties. Just confirm the fee before visiting.

First, get the form. Download it from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed. Both parties fill out their sections. Print after completing all fields.

To file in Cleburne County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties
• Recording fee (call for current amount)
• Social Security numbers

Both people sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs. Banks often have free notary services. Complete this before visiting the courthouse.

Bring everything to the Probate Court. The clerk reviews your form. 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.

Cleburne County Services

Cleburne County no longer offers wedding ceremonies at the courthouse. This is a change from previous practice. If you wanted the judge to perform a ceremony, that option is not available here.

Under Alabama's 2019 marriage law, ceremonies are optional. No ceremony is required for a legal marriage. You sign the form, get it notarized, and file it. That is all the law requires. The ceremony is purely personal preference.

If you want a ceremony, you have options. Arrange it separately. Churches, parks, and private venues all work. An officiant can be any minister, judge, or person you choose. The ceremony has no legal effect. Only the filed license matters legally.

Some couples like the courthouse ceremony tradition. If that matters to you, check nearby counties. Some still offer this service. Or find a local officiant willing to perform the ceremony at another location.

For most couples, the lack of courthouse ceremonies does not matter. You file your form and leave married. Simple and fast.

Can You Search Cleburne County Records Online?

Cleburne County uses the Ingenuity platform for some online services. Online access to marriage records may be available. Check the county website or contact the Probate Court for details.

To search for specific records, call (256) 463-5655. Staff can look up names and dates. They can tell you 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, 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.

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. Cleburne County follows this rule.

Search Cleburne County Records

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

Cities in Cleburne County

Cleburne County is rural with a few small towns. Heflin is the county seat and largest community. Fruithurst and Ranburne are other small towns. All residents file at the Probate Court in Heflin.

Heflin has about 3,500 residents. No city in Cleburne County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Heflin.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cleburne County. You can file in any Alabama county. Consider nearby options based on convenience or services.