Colbert County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Colbert County are filed at the Probate Court in Tuscumbia. About 57,000 people live in this northwestern Alabama county known for Muscle Shoals music heritage. The recording fee is $70, tied for lowest in Alabama. Important detail: Colbert County requires a 61-day wait after divorce to remarry, one day longer than the standard state rule.

Colbert County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Colbert County. The office is in the courthouse in Tuscumbia. This city 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. Walk-ins are welcome for marriage filing. Arrive before 4:00 PM to allow processing.

Note: Colbert County has a 61-day post-divorce waiting period. This is one day longer than the state standard.

Colbert County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Colbert County is $70. This is tied for the lowest in Alabama. You pay 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 state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Colbert County adds no extra local fees. That is why the cost is low.

The court accepts cash and checks. Ask about credit and debit cards when you arrive. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Colbert County Probate Court.

Extra certified copies cost about $5 each. Get several when you file. They are useful for name changes and legal matters.

How to File in Colbert County

Filing a marriage license in Colbert County follows standard Alabama rules. The process is straightforward. Just note the divorce waiting period if it applies.

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.

To file in Colbert 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 sign in front of an Alabama notary. The notary stamps and signs. 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.

Colbert County Divorce Wait

Colbert County has a unique rule. If you were recently divorced, you must wait 61 days before remarrying. This is one day longer than the standard Alabama rule of 60 days.

Why the extra day? Local court rules can vary slightly from state standards. Colbert County added this extra day. The reason may be lost to history. But the rule stands.

How does this work? Count from the date your divorce was finalized. The divorce decree shows this date. Add 61 days. That is the earliest you can file a marriage license in Colbert County.

Here is what you need to know:

• Standard Alabama wait: 60 days after divorce
• Colbert County wait: 61 days after divorce
• Applies if either party was recently divorced
• Count from the final divorce decree date

If you are one day short, you have options. Wait the extra day. Or file in a different county that uses the standard 60-day rule. Lauderdale County is right next door.

This rule only applies if you were divorced. If neither party was previously married, or if prior marriages ended by death, the 61-day wait does not apply.

Can You Search Colbert County Records Online?

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

Call (256) 386-8546 to search for records. 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.

Colbert County Music Heritage

Colbert County is part of the Muscle Shoals music area. This region produced legendary recordings. FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio are here. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and the Rolling Stones recorded here.

The Probate Court has never lost a marriage record. This is notable for a county with long history. Records are well-preserved. Researchers can find historical documents dating back many decades.

For couples, this musical heritage offers backdrop options. Get married, then celebrate in a region with deep musical roots. The area attracts visitors from around the world.

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.

Search Colbert County Records

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

Cities in Colbert County

Colbert County has several cities. Tuscumbia is the county seat. Sheffield and Muscle Shoals are other significant cities. All residents file at the Probate Court in Tuscumbia.

Muscle Shoals has about 14,000 residents. Sheffield has about 9,000. Tuscumbia has about 8,000. No city in Colbert County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Tuscumbia.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Colbert County. You can file in any Alabama county. If the 61-day rule is a concern, nearby counties use the standard 60-day wait.