Limestone County Marriage Records

Limestone County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Athens. This north Alabama county has about 103,000 residents. The area is a growing space technology hub. Athens State University is located here. The Probate Court handles all marriage filings with a recording fee of just $70, one of the lowest in the state.

Limestone County Probate Court

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

Athens is a growing city. Many residents work in nearby Huntsville. The courthouse is easy to find in the town square area. Parking is available nearby. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Note: The courthouse is in downtown Athens near the historic square.

Limestone County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee is $70 in Limestone County. This is among the lowest in Alabama. 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 is accepted. Ask about checks or cards when you call. The staff can confirm what payment methods they take. Come prepared with the right form of payment.

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

How to File in Limestone County

Start by getting 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 names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses. List any past marriages and how they ended. Both must sign. Both signatures need notarization by an Alabama notary public.

To file in Limestone County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• $70 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 form if that happens.

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

Can You Search Limestone Records Online?

Limestone 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.

Limestone County's Technology Growth

Limestone County is part of north Alabama's technology corridor. The area benefits from nearby Huntsville and its aerospace industry. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal bring skilled workers to the region. Many of them live in Limestone County.

Athens State University adds to the educated workforce. The school draws students from across the state. Some stay after graduation. The combination of jobs and education fuels population growth. The county has grown rapidly in recent years.

This growth has not changed the low recording fee. At $70, Limestone County remains one of the cheapest places to file a marriage license. The Probate Court handles more filings each year. But the process stays simple and the fee stays low.

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 required. No officiant is needed. 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 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 rejects your form.

Cities in Limestone County

Limestone County includes Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, and Mooresville. Athens is the county seat and largest city. None have populations over 50,000 on their own. All residents file marriage licenses at the Limestone County Probate Court in Athens.

The county borders Tennessee to the north. Many residents commute to Huntsville for work. The area has small-town charm with easy access to big-city jobs. The Probate Court serves this growing community.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Limestone County Records

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