Jefferson County Marriage Records

Jefferson County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court. This is Alabama's most populous county with over 674,000 residents. Birmingham is the county seat. A unique feature is the two court divisions: Birmingham and Bessemer. Where you file depends on where you live. The county uses the Landmark WEB system for online records access.

Jefferson County Probate Court

Jefferson County has two Probate Court divisions. The Birmingham Division serves the eastern part of the county. This includes Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Trussville. Most county residents use this office. It is the main division.

The Bessemer Division serves the western part. This includes Bessemer, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, and nearby areas. Check which division covers your address before you go. Both handle marriage license filings. The fees are the same at both locations.

Note: Call ahead to confirm which division handles your area if you are unsure.

Jefferson County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $84.50 in Jefferson County. This is higher than most Alabama counties. The fee covers filing and recording your marriage license. Part goes to state funds. Part goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund.

Payment is due when you file. Cash and checks are accepted. The county also takes credit and debit cards. There may be a small processing fee for card payments. Both the Birmingham and Bessemer offices have the same fee.

Need extra copies? Order from the Probate Court. Certified copies cost a few dollars each. You can also search the Landmark WEB system online. The state has records from 1936 forward. VitalChek offers state copies for $15 plus fees.

How to File in Jefferson County

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

Both parties fill out their sections. Include full names, birth dates, 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 public.

To file in Jefferson County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $84.50 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. The staff will review your documents and record the license. You leave with a copy. Processing is quick at both locations.

Can You Search Jefferson Records Online?

Jefferson County uses the Landmark WEB system. This is one of the best online records systems in Alabama. You can search for recorded documents including marriage licenses. The database covers Birmingham records from 1987 and Bessemer records from 1965.

Visit landmarkweb.jccal.org to search. Some searches are free. Viewing document images may require payment. The system is user-friendly. You can search by name, date, or document type.

The state also has records. Alabama keeps marriage records from August 1936 to now. The Center for Health Statistics 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 named on the license. Provide names and approximate date to locate the record.

Jefferson County's Two Divisions

Jefferson County is the only Alabama county with two Probate Court divisions. This reflects the county's large size and population. The Birmingham Division handles most of the county. The Bessemer Division serves the western cutoff district.

The division system dates back over a century. Bessemer was once an industrial powerhouse. Having a local court made sense for residents there. Today, the two divisions still operate separately. Each has its own staff and records system.

Both divisions file marriage licenses. The process and fees are the same. You can file at either location. Most people use the one closer to home. If you live on the border, you might pick based on convenience. Either way, the marriage is recorded in Jefferson County.

The Landmark WEB system ties both divisions together online. You can search records from both in one place. This makes finding historical records easier. The digital archive preserves documents from both courthouses.

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. The law took effect August 29, 2019.

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

You must be 18 to marry without consent. Ages 16 and 17 need parental consent via a notarized affidavit. 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 Jefferson County

Jefferson County has over 35 cities and towns. Birmingham is the largest and the county seat. Other major cities include Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Bessemer, and Trussville. All file marriage licenses at the Jefferson County Probate Court.

Birmingham and Hoover have populations over 50,000. Hoover spans both Jefferson and Shelby counties. Residents can file in either county. Other Jefferson County cities include Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Bessemer, and Trussville.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Jefferson County Records

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