Hale County Marriage License Filing

Hale County marriage licenses are recorded at the Probate Court in Greensboro. This county sits in Alabama's Black Belt region. About 14,000 people live here. The area has rich historical significance. The Probate Court handles all marriage filings using the state's new system. No license is needed in Alabama.

Hale County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Hale County handles all marriage license filings. The office is in the county courthouse in Greensboro. Staff manage marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. The small office serves the county's rural population.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The atmosphere is friendly and unhurried. Staff can answer questions about forms and the filing process. Bring your completed documents and payment. Processing is quick in most cases.

Note: Call ahead to confirm hours if you are traveling from out of the county.

Hale County Marriage License Fees

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

Payment is due when you file. Cash is accepted. Ask about checks or cards when you call. Small rural counties may have limited payment options. It is wise to bring cash to be certain. The staff can confirm what they take.

Need copies later? Order from the Probate Court. Certified copies cost a few dollars each. The state keeps records from 1936 forward. Order state copies through VitalChek for $15 plus their service fees.

How to File in Hale County

Start by getting the form. Download it from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Type all information. Do not write by hand. Print the form but do not sign until you have a notary present.

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

To file in Hale County, bring these items:

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

The deadline is 30 days from the second signature. The marriage is legal on that date, not when you file. Miss the deadline and you must start over with a new form. The old one becomes void.

Only one person needs to go. Bring ID. The clerk reviews your documents and records the license. You leave with a copy.

Can You Search Hale Records Online?

Hale County has limited online access. Some records may be in county systems. For marriage licenses, you may need to contact the Probate Court directly. Call or visit to ask about specific records.

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

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

Hale County's Black Belt Heritage

Hale County is part of Alabama's Black Belt region. The name comes from the dark, fertile soil. This area was central to the state's agricultural history. Cotton plantations shaped the landscape for generations. That history left a mark on the county's records and culture.

Greensboro has antebellum architecture. Historic buildings line the streets. The town has been home to many notable figures. The county's past includes both difficult and proud chapters. Today, it remains a quiet, rural place with strong community ties.

Filing a marriage license here connects you to this history. The courthouse has served the community for many years. Couples from across the region have recorded their marriages here. You become part of that ongoing story.

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. The marriage is a contract. Both parties sign the form, get it notarized, and file it. The marriage becomes legal on the date of the second signature.

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

If you were divorced, wait 60 days. The period starts from your final divorce decree. File too soon and the court rejects your form.

Cities in Hale County

Hale County includes Greensboro, Moundville, Akron, and several small communities. Greensboro is the county seat. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Hale County Probate Court.

Moundville is known for the Moundville Archaeological Park. This site preserves Native American history from centuries ago. The county has both deep American history and daily small-town life. The Probate Court serves all of its residents.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Hale County Records

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