Lamar County Marriage License Filing

Lamar County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Vernon. This small county in northwest Alabama has about 14,000 residents. The county borders Mississippi. The courthouse is currently undergoing relocation. Call ahead to confirm the current address before visiting. The Probate Court handles all marriage filings under Alabama's new system.

Lamar County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage filings in Lamar County. The office is in Vernon. Staff manage marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. They can answer questions about the filing process and fees.

The courthouse is currently relocating. The address may be temporary. Call before you visit to get the current location. Staff can give you directions. The relocation should not affect service. You can still file your marriage license.

Note: Call the office at (205) 695-9119 to verify the current address before your visit.

Lamar County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $75 in Lamar County. This covers filing and recording your marriage license. The fee includes state and county portions. Part goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund by law.

Payment is due when you file. Cash is accepted. Ask about checks or cards when you call. Small county offices may have limited payment options. Bring cash to be safe. Staff can confirm what they accept.

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

How to File in Lamar County

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

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

To file in Lamar 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. Miss the deadline and the form becomes void. Start over with a new one if that happens.

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 Lamar Records Online?

Lamar County uses the Ingenuity system for some online services. You may be able to search certain records online. Marriage licenses might be available depending on the year. Call the Probate Court to ask about online access.

The state has records from August 1936 to present. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery manages 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 need to be on the license. Provide names and approximate date to help find the record.

Lamar County Courthouse Relocation

The Lamar County Courthouse is undergoing relocation. This is a significant change for the small county. The move affects where you go to file your marriage license. Always call before visiting to get the current address.

Courthouse relocations happen for various reasons. Buildings age and need repair. New facilities may be more efficient. Whatever the cause, services continue during the transition. The Probate Court still files marriage licenses.

The relocation should not delay your filing. Staff are prepared for the move. They can help you through the process. Just make sure you know where to go before you drive to Vernon. A quick phone call saves confusion.

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. The law 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. 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. A notarized affidavit is required. 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 soon and the court rejects your form.

Cities in Lamar County

Lamar County includes Vernon, Sulligent, Kennedy, and Millport. Vernon is the county seat. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Lamar County Probate Court in Vernon.

The county sits on the Mississippi border. It is rural and sparsely populated. The economy relies on agriculture and small businesses. The Probate Court serves all county residents.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Lamar County Records

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