Lawrence County Marriage Licenses

Lawrence County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Moulton. This north Alabama county has about 33,000 residents. The county is known as the birthplace of Jesse Owens. The legendary Olympic athlete was born here in 1913. The Probate Court handles all marriage filings under Alabama's new system.

Lawrence County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage filings in Lawrence County. The office is in the county courthouse in Moulton. Staff manage marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. They can help with questions about forms and fees.

Moulton is a small town with a friendly atmosphere. The courthouse is easy to find in the town center. Parking is available nearby. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The staff can guide you through the filing process.

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

Lawrence County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $79 in Lawrence 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 state law.

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

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 Lawrence County

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

Both parties fill out their sections. Include 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.

To file in Lawrence County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $79 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. You would have to start over with a new form.

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 Lawrence Records Online?

Lawrence County has limited online records access. Some documents may be available through county systems. For marriage licenses, you may need to contact the Probate Court directly. Call or visit for help with specific records.

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 named on the license. Provide names and approximate date to locate the record.

Lawrence County and Jesse Owens

Lawrence County is the birthplace of Jesse Owens. He was born in Oakville in 1913. Owens became one of the greatest athletes in history. He won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His achievements defied racial barriers and inspired millions.

A museum and park in Oakville honor his legacy. The Jesse Owens Memorial Park preserves the site of his birth. Visitors come from around the world. The county takes pride in this connection to American history.

Filing a marriage license in Lawrence County connects you to this heritage. The same courthouse has served generations of families. Your marriage record joins the county's long history. It is a small part of a larger story.

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 created this system. The law took effect August 29, 2019.

No ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. No witnesses must be present. 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 Lawrence County

Lawrence County includes Moulton, Town Creek, Courtland, and Hillsboro. Moulton is the county seat and largest town. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Lawrence County Probate Court in Moulton.

The county sits in the Tennessee Valley. The Tennessee River runs along its northern border. The area is rural with a mix of farmland and small towns. The Probate Court serves all residents across the county.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Lawrence County Records

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