Fayette County Marriage License Search

Fayette County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in downtown Fayette. This small county in northwest Alabama has about 16,000 residents. The county seat is the city of Fayette. The Probate Court offers comprehensive services for marriage filings. Staff can help with forms and answer questions. No license is needed under Alabama law.

Fayette County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Fayette County handles all marriage license filings. The office is in the county courthouse. It is a comprehensive service office. Staff handle marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. The atmosphere is friendly and small-town.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office is not usually crowded. You can often get in and out quickly. Bring your completed form, ID, and payment. Staff will review your documents and record the license. The whole process takes just a few minutes.

Note: Call ahead if visiting near holidays or if you have special circumstances.

Fayette County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $75 in Fayette County. This is the total cost to file your marriage license. The fee includes state and county portions. Part goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund as required by law.

Payment is due when you file. Cash is accepted. Checks usually work. Ask about cards when you call. Small county offices sometimes have limited payment options. It is best to bring cash or a check to be safe.

Need copies later? Get them from the Probate Court. Certified copies cost a few dollars each. The state also has records from 1936 forward. Order through VitalChek for $15 plus fees. County copies are usually faster.

How to File in Fayette County

Start by getting the form. Go to the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Download the marriage license form. It must be typed. Do not handwrite any part of it. Print the form after you fill it out.

Both parties complete their sections. Include full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. If either was married before, list those marriages and how they ended. Both must sign the form. Both signatures need notarization by an Alabama notary.

To file in Fayette County, bring these items:

• Completed and typed marriage license form
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $75 recording fee

You have 30 days from the second signature to file. The marriage is legal on that signature date, not the filing date. Miss the deadline and the form expires. You would need to start over with a new form.

Only one person needs to go to the Probate Court. Bring your ID. Staff will check your documents and record the license. You leave with a copy.

Can You Search Fayette Records Online?

Fayette County has limited online records. Some documents may be searchable through county systems. For marriage records, you may need to contact the Probate Court directly. Call or visit to ask about specific records.

The state keeps records too. Alabama has marriage records from August 1936 to now. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery maintains them. Order copies through VitalChek online. The fee is $15 for search and first copy. Extra copies cost $6.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be named on the license. Provide names and an approximate date to help locate the record.

Fayette County's Full Service Office

The Fayette County Probate Court is known for comprehensive service. Despite being a small county, the office handles a full range of probate matters. Staff are experienced with marriage filings. They can guide you through the process step by step.

Small county offices often have a personal touch. You are not just a number. Staff may remember you if you come back for copies. This friendly approach makes the experience easier for many couples. It is one advantage of filing in a rural county.

The courthouse is in downtown Fayette. The town has a classic small-town feel. After filing, you can explore the local shops or grab a meal. Many couples appreciate the relaxed pace compared to larger cities.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama does not use marriage licenses. The state switched to licenses in 2019. Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 created this system. It took effect August 29, 2019.

No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. No witnesses are necessary. Marriage in Alabama is a contract between two people. Both sign a form, get it notarized, and file it. The marriage is legal when the second person signs, as long as you file within 30 days.

Age rules still apply. You must be 18 to marry without consent. Ages 16 and 17 need a parent's notarized consent. No one under 16 can marry. See Section 30-1-4 for details.

If you divorced recently, wait 60 days. The period starts from your final divorce decree. File too early and the court will reject your form.

Cities in Fayette County

Fayette County includes the city of Fayette, Berry, and several small communities. Fayette is the county seat and largest city. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Fayette County Probate Court.

The county is in northwest Alabama. It is rural and sparsely populated. The Probate Court serves everyone in the county. You can also file in any other Alabama county if that is more convenient.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fayette County. You can file your marriage license at any Alabama county Probate Court.

Search Fayette County Records

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