Dale County Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses in Dale County are filed at the Probate Court in Ozark. About 49,000 people live in this southeastern Alabama county. Dale County is home to Fort Novosel, the Army's aviation training center. Important: the county operates on a 4-day work week. The Probate Court is closed on Fridays.

Dale County Probate Court Office

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Dale County. The office is in the Dale County Courthouse in Ozark. This city is the county seat. The courthouse is downtown.

Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. This 4-day week gives extended hours on open days. No appointment is needed. Walk-ins are welcome.

Note: The Friday closure is firm. Plan your visit Monday through Thursday only.

Dale County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Dale County is $77. This is close to the state average. You pay 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 make up the remaining $7.

Payment methods include cash and checks. Ask about credit and debit cards. For mail requests, send a check or money order to Dale County Probate Court.

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

How to File in Dale County

Filing a marriage license in Dale County follows standard Alabama rules. Just remember the 4-day week. No Friday visits.

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 Dale County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Notarized signatures from both parties
• $77 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.

Dale County and Fort Novosel

Dale County is home to Fort Novosel. This is the Army's primary helicopter training center. It was formerly called Fort Rucker. The name changed in 2023 to honor Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Novosel, a Medal of Honor recipient.

Fort Novosel brings many military families to the area. Aviation students and their families often need marriage services. The Probate Court serves both military and civilian residents.

For military personnel at Fort Novosel:

• You can file at Dale County Probate Court
• No Alabama residency required
• Military ID works as valid photo identification
• The base may have notary services available

The 4-day work week can be tricky for military schedules. Extended hours help. The office opens at 7:00 AM. It stays open until 5:30 PM. This gives flexibility for training schedules.

If Friday is your only option, consider nearby Houston County. Dothan is about 20 miles southeast. Check their hours before driving.

Can You Search Dale County Records Online?

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

Call (334) 774-2754 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.

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. Dale County follows this rule.

Search Dale County Records

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

Cities in Dale County

Dale County has several communities. Ozark is the county seat and largest city. Daleville sits at the gate of Fort Novosel. Level Plains, Newton, and Midland City are other towns. All residents file at the Probate Court in Ozark.

Ozark has about 14,500 residents. Daleville has about 5,500. No city in Dale County has a population over 50,000. For marriage services, everyone uses the courthouse in Ozark.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dale County. You can file in any Alabama county. If the Friday closure is a problem, check nearby counties.