Coosa County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Coosa County are filed at the Probate Court in Rockford. About 10,000 people live in this central Alabama county. Coosa County offers a great benefit: free notary services for county residents. The recording fee is $70, tied for the lowest in Alabama. The county also has historical marriage records dating back to 1834.

Coosa County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Coosa County. The office is in the courthouse in Rockford. This small town is the county seat. The courthouse is in the center of town.

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

Note: Coosa County offers free notary services for county residents. Call to confirm availability.

Coosa County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Coosa 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 only. The base court fee is $10. The state adds $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Coosa County adds no local fees. That keeps the cost low.

The court accepts cash and checks. Ask about credit and debit cards. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Coosa 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 Coosa County

Filing a marriage license in Coosa County is straightforward. The process follows standard Alabama rules. Plus, residents get free notary service.

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 Coosa County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties (or use free courthouse notary)
• $70 recording fee
• Social Security numbers

If you are a Coosa County resident, you may be able to use the free notary at the courthouse. Call ahead to confirm. Both people must be present to sign in front of the notary.

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.

Coosa County Free Notary

Coosa County provides free notary services for county residents. This is a valuable benefit. Most people pay $5 to $10 per signature elsewhere. In Coosa County, it is free.

How does it work? Call the Probate Court at (256) 377-4919. Ask about notary availability. You may need to schedule a time. Both parties must be present. Bring your unsigned form and IDs.

Here is what to know about the free notary service:

• Available for Coosa County residents
• Call ahead to confirm availability
• Both parties must sign in person
• Bring valid photo ID
• The form must not be signed before arrival

This service makes Coosa County convenient for local couples. You can complete everything in one trip. Fill out the form at home. Bring it to the courthouse unsigned. Get it notarized and filed in one visit.

Non-residents may not qualify for free notary service. Call to ask. If not available, get your form notarized elsewhere before visiting.

Coosa County Historic Records

Coosa County has marriage records dating back to 1834. That is before Alabama adopted its current constitution. These old records are valuable for genealogy research.

The county was formed in 1832 from Creek Indian lands. Record keeping began shortly after. The historical records cover nearly 200 years of marriages. Researchers can trace family histories through these documents.

To access historical records, contact the Probate Court. Staff can help with research requests. FamilySearch also has digitized many older Alabama records. Check their collection for Coosa County marriages.

Can You Search Coosa County Records Online?

Coosa County uses the Ingenuity platform for some online services. Online access to marriage records may be available. Check the county website for portal information.

Call (256) 377-4919 to search for specific 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. Coosa County records from 1834 may be in their collection. 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. Coosa County follows this rule.

Search Coosa County Records

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

Cities in Coosa County

Coosa County is rural with few incorporated areas. Rockford is the county seat. Goodwater and Kellyton are other small communities. All residents file at the Probate Court in Rockford.

Goodwater is actually the largest town at about 1,400 residents. Rockford has about 500. No city in Coosa County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Rockford.

Nearby Counties

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