Escambia County Marriage Records

Escambia County marriage licenses can be filed at two offices. The main Probate Court is in Brewton. A second office operates in Atmore. This gives residents options based on where they live. The county sits in south Alabama near the Florida line. About 37,000 people live here. The Probate Court handles all marriage filings using the state's new system.

Escambia County Probate Court

The main Probate Court is in Brewton. This is the county seat. The office handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, and other probate matters. Staff can answer questions about the filing process. Walk-ins are welcome during office hours.

The Atmore office offers the same services. It is in the northern part of the county. This location serves residents who live closer to Atmore. Both offices accept marriage license filings. Choose the one that works best for you.

Note: Hours may vary at the Atmore location. Call ahead to confirm before making a trip.

Escambia County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $70. This is one of the lower fees in Alabama. The state sets a minimum. Each county adds its own charges. Escambia County keeps the total at $70. This fee is the same at both the Brewton and Atmore offices.

The fee covers the recording of your license. Part goes to the state. Part goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay when you file. Cash and check are usually accepted. Ask about card payments when you call.

Need copies later? You can get them from the Probate Court. Certified copies cost a few dollars. The state also has records from 1936 onward. Order from VitalChek for $15 plus their fees. County copies are often faster and cheaper.

How to File in Escambia County

The process is the same across Alabama. Start by downloading the form. Go to the Alabama Department of Public Health website. The form must be typed on a computer. Print it, but do not sign until a notary is present.

Both parties complete their sections. Include full names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses. List any prior marriages and how they ended. Both must sign. Both signatures need notarization by an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries do not work.

Bring these items to the Escambia County Probate Court:

• Completed marriage license form
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $70 recording fee

You have 30 days from the second signature to file. Miss this deadline and the form is void. You would need to fill out a new one. Only one person needs to go to the Probate Court. The filer should bring ID. Processing is quick. You leave with a recorded copy.

Can You Search Escambia Records Online?

Escambia County uses the Ingenuity system. Some records are available online. You can search their portal for recorded documents. Marriage records from recent years may show up. Older records often need an in-person or mail request.

The state has records too. Alabama keeps copies from August 1936 to now. The Center for Health Statistics maintains this database. Order online through VitalChek. Or send a mail request to Montgomery. The search fee is $15 for the first copy.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be named on the license. Just provide enough details to find the record. Names and an approximate date usually work.

Why Escambia Has Two Offices

Escambia County stretches across a large area. Brewton is in the south. Atmore is in the north. The distance between them is about 30 miles. Having two offices makes services more accessible. Residents do not have to drive as far.

Both offices handle marriage licenses. The fees are the same. The process is the same. Pick the location that suits you. If one office is busy or closed, try the other. This flexibility helps couples who need to file quickly.

Atmore is also home to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The tribe has its own government. But for Alabama marriage licenses, tribal members file at the county Probate Court like everyone else. The state system applies to all Alabama residents.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama uses a unique system. There are no marriage licenses. Since 2019, couples file a marriage license instead. Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 created this change. The law took effect August 29, 2019.

No ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. No witnesses are necessary. The marriage is a contract. Both parties sign, get notarized, and file. The marriage becomes legal when the second person signs. File within 30 days to make it official.

Age rules apply. Both parties must be at least 18 for no consent. Ages 16 and 17 need a parent's notarized consent. No one under 16 can marry. These rules are in Section 30-1-4 of the Alabama Code.

Already divorced? Wait 60 days before filing a new marriage license. This waiting period starts from your final divorce decree. File too soon and the court rejects your form.

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County includes Brewton, Atmore, East Brewton, Flomaton, and several smaller communities. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the county Probate Court. Use either the Brewton or Atmore office.

The county borders Florida. Some residents live close to the state line. They still file with Escambia County for Alabama marriages. Florida has different rules. Make sure you file in the right state for where you want your marriage recorded.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Escambia. You can file your marriage license in any Alabama county. Pick based on fees, location, or convenience.

Search Escambia County Records

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