Houston County Marriage License Search

Houston County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Dothan. This is the largest city in the Wiregrass region. About 107,000 people live in Houston County. Dothan is known as the Peanut Capital of the World. The county operates on a 4-day work week. Offices are closed Fridays. Plan your visit Monday through Thursday.

Houston County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage filings in Houston County. The office is in the county courthouse in downtown Dothan. Staff manage marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. They can answer questions about forms and the filing process.

The county uses a 4-day work week. Offices are open Monday through Thursday. They close on Fridays. The hours are longer each day to make up for the shorter week. This schedule saves the county money while still serving the public.

Note: Remember the office is closed Fridays. Plan your visit for Monday through Thursday.

Houston County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $80 in Houston County. This covers filing and recording 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. Ask about checks or cards when you call. Larger counties often have more payment options. Confirm before you visit so you come prepared.

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

How to File in Houston County

Start with the form. Download it from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Type all information. Handwritten forms are not accepted. Print it but do not sign until you have a notary.

Both parties fill out 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 public.

To file in Houston County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $80 recording fee

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

Only one person needs to go. Bring ID. Staff review your documents and record the license. You leave with a copy. The process is quick.

Can You Search Houston Records Online?

Houston 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. Call or visit to ask about specific records.

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

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy with enough information. You do not need to be named on the license. Names and approximate date help find the record.

Dothan: Peanut Capital of the World

Dothan calls itself the Peanut Capital of the World. The area grows more peanuts than anywhere else in the United States. The annual National Peanut Festival draws huge crowds. Statues of peanuts dot the downtown area. The agricultural industry shapes local life.

Houston County is the largest in the Wiregrass region. Dothan serves as the regional hub. People from nearby counties come here to shop, work, and access services. The Probate Court sees couples from across southeast Alabama.

The 4-day work week fits local culture. Many agricultural workers have flexible schedules. Extended hours Monday through Thursday work well. The Friday closure saves energy costs. Many residents support the arrangement.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama does not use marriage licenses. Since 2019, couples file a license instead. Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 established this system. It 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 it notarized, and file with any county Probate Court. The marriage is 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. These rules come from Section 30-1-4.

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

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Dothan, Ashford, Cowarts, Cottonwood, and other communities. Dothan is the county seat and by far the largest city. It has over 70,000 residents. All county residents file marriage licenses at the Houston County Probate Court in Dothan.

Dothan is the only city in Houston County with a population over 50,000. Other towns are smaller but still served by the same Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Houston County Records

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