Geneva County Marriage Licenses

Geneva County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in the city of Geneva. This southeast Alabama county borders Florida. About 27,000 people live here. The county operates on a 4-day work week. The Probate Court is closed Fridays. Plan your visit for Monday through Thursday. No license is needed under Alabama's new system.

Geneva County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Geneva County records all marriage licenses. The office is in the county courthouse in downtown Geneva. Staff handle marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. They can answer questions about the filing process.

The office operates on a 4-day week. It is open Monday through Thursday. Fridays the courthouse is closed. Plan ahead if you need to file. The longer daily hours help make up for the shorter week. Call before you visit to confirm the schedule.

Note: The 4-day schedule applies to county offices. Always call ahead to confirm hours before making a trip.

Geneva County Marriage License Fees

Contact the Probate Court for the current recording fee. Fees in Alabama range from $70 to $104 across counties. Geneva County's fee is in this range. Call the office to get the exact amount before you visit.

Payment is due when you file. Cash is usually accepted. Check with the office about other payment methods. Some counties take cards. Others only accept cash or checks. Knowing the payment options helps you prepare.

Extra copies cost a few dollars each. The Probate Court can make certified copies of your recorded license. The state also has records from 1936 forward. Order through VitalChek for $15 plus their fees.

How to File in Geneva County

The process is the same across Alabama. Start by downloading the form. Get it from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. The form must be typed. Handwritten forms are not accepted. Print it but do not sign yet.

Both parties complete their sections. Include full names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. List any past marriages and how they ended. Both must sign the form. Both signatures need notarization by an Alabama notary.

Bring these items to the Geneva County Probate Court:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• Recording fee payment

You have 30 days from the second signature to file. The marriage is legal on that signature date. Miss the deadline and the form becomes void. You would need to fill out a new one and start over.

Only one person needs to go to the Probate Court. Bring ID. The staff will review your documents. Processing is quick. You leave with a recorded copy. Remember, the office is closed Fridays.

Can You Search Geneva Records Online?

Geneva County uses the Ingenuity system. Some records may be searchable online. Marriage licenses from recent years might be available. For older records, contact the Probate Court directly. Call or visit to ask about specific records.

The county offers three e-recording vendors. This is mainly for title companies and attorneys. Most couples file in person or by mail rather than through e-recording. The vendors handle real estate and legal document recording.

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

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request copies. You do not need to be on the license. Provide names and approximate date to help find the record.

Geneva County's 4-Day Work Week

Geneva County operates on a compressed schedule. County offices are open Monday through Thursday. They are closed on Fridays. This affects the Probate Court and other county services. Plan your marriage license filing accordingly.

The longer daily hours help. The office opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM. That gives you 11 hours each day to visit. Early birds can file before work. Others can stop by after work. The schedule works for many people despite the Friday closure.

Several Alabama counties use 4-day weeks. It saves on building costs. Employees get a three-day weekend. Services are still available. You just need to plan around the closed day. Call before you visit to make sure the schedule has not changed.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama does not issue marriage licenses. The state uses a new system since 2019. Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 created this change. It took effect August 29, 2019.

No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. No witnesses must be present. Marriage is a contract between two people. Both sign the form, get it notarized, and file it. The marriage is legal on the date of the second signature.

Age rules apply. You must be 18 for no consent. Ages 16 and 17 need a parent's notarized consent. No one under 16 can marry. These rules come from Section 30-1-4.

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

Cities in Geneva County

Geneva County includes Geneva, Samson, Hartford, Slocomb, and smaller communities. Geneva is the county seat. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Geneva County Probate Court.

The county sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. It borders Florida. The area is rural with small-town values. The Probate Court serves all county residents. You can also file in any other Alabama county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Geneva County. Each has a Probate Court that records marriage licenses.

Search Geneva County Records

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