Find Etowah County Marriage Licenses

Etowah County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Gadsden. This historic river city sits along the Coosa River in northeast Alabama. The county has about 103,000 residents. Gadsden is known for its downtown area and transit access. The Probate Court records all marriages under Alabama's new system. No license is needed.

Etowah County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage license filings in Etowah County. The office is in the county courthouse in downtown Gadsden. Staff can help you with the filing process. They answer questions about forms, fees, and requirements. Walk-ins are welcome.

The courthouse is easy to reach. Downtown Gadsden has public transit options. Parking is available nearby. The Probate Court is on the main floor. Look for signs pointing to the Probate Judge's office. Bring your completed form and payment.

Note: The courthouse closes for lunch in some offices. The Probate Court may stay open. Call to confirm if you plan to visit around noon.

Etowah County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $70. This is among the lowest in Alabama. The fee is set by state law plus county additions. Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay the full amount when you file.

Cash is always accepted. Checks usually work too. Ask about debit or credit cards when you call. Some counties charge extra for card payments. Etowah County's policy may vary. Confirm before you go.

Extra copies cost a few dollars each. The Probate Court can make certified copies of your recorded license. The state also keeps records. Order from VitalChek for $15 plus service charges. State copies take longer than county ones.

How to File in Etowah County

Filing is simple. First, get the form. Download it from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Type in all the information. Do not handwrite it. Print the form but do not sign it yet.

Both parties fill out their sections. Include names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses. Note any past marriages and how they ended. Both must sign the form. Both signatures require notarization. Use an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notaries are not valid.

To file your Etowah County marriage license, bring:

• Completed marriage license form with both signatures
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $70 recording fee in cash or check

The deadline is 30 days from the second signature. File on time or the form becomes void. You would have to start over. Only one person needs to visit the Probate Court. That person should bring ID. The clerk records the form while you wait. You get a copy before you leave.

Can You Search Etowah Records Online?

Etowah County has limited online access. Some records may be searchable through county portals. For marriage licenses, you might need to visit in person or send a mail request. The Probate Court can tell you what is available online.

The state has a central database. Alabama keeps marriage records from August 1936 to present. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery manages these files. Order copies online through VitalChek. The fee is $15 for the search and first copy. Extra copies cost $6 each.

Marriage records in Alabama are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be named on the license. Provide enough information to locate the record. Names and approximate date work best.

Gadsden's Historic Downtown

Gadsden sits along the Coosa River. The city has a long history. It was a hub for industry and commerce. Today, the downtown area is being revitalized. Historic buildings line the streets. The riverfront offers parks and trails.

The courthouse is part of this historic district. Filing your marriage license here connects you to local history. The building has served the community for decades. Many couples have walked through its doors to record their marriages.

Transit access makes Gadsden easier to reach than some other county seats. Bus routes serve the downtown area. If you do not have a car, you can still get to the Probate Court. This is not common in rural Alabama counties. It makes Etowah County more accessible.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama does not issue marriage licenses. The state switched to a new system in 2019. Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 made this change. The law took effect on August 29, 2019.

No ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. No witnesses must be present. The marriage is a legal contract. Both parties sign the form and get it notarized. Then they file it with any county Probate Court. The marriage is legal on the date of the second signature.

Both parties must be at least 18 to marry without consent. Ages 16 and 17 need parental consent. This requires a notarized affidavit from a parent. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama. These age rules come from Section 30-1-4.

If you were recently divorced, wait 60 days. The waiting period starts from your final divorce decree date. Try to file earlier and the Probate Court will reject your form.

Cities in Etowah County

Etowah County includes Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, and Southside. Gadsden is the largest city and county seat. None of these cities have over 50,000 people. All residents file marriage licenses at the Etowah County Probate Court.

The county is in northeast Alabama. It borders Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshall, Blount, St. Clair, and Calhoun counties. Residents can file in any Alabama county, not just their home county. Some choose based on fees or convenience.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Etowah County. Each has its own Probate Court. You can file your marriage license at any of them.

Search Etowah County Records

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