Access Lowndes County Marriage Licenses

Lowndes County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Hayneville. This small county in south-central Alabama has about 10,000 residents. The county has deep civil rights history. The Selma to Montgomery march passed through here. The Black Panther Party symbol originated in Lowndes County. Contact the Probate Court for the current recording fee.

Lowndes County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage filings in Lowndes County. The office is in the county courthouse in Hayneville. Staff manage marriages, estates, wills, and other probate matters. The small office serves a small population. Wait times are usually short.

Hayneville is a tiny town. The courthouse dominates the center. Services are basic but complete. Staff can answer questions about forms and the filing process. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Note: Call ahead to confirm the recording fee before your visit.

Lowndes County Marriage License Fees

Contact the Probate Court for the current recording fee. Fees in Alabama range from $70 to $104 across counties. Lowndes County's fee is within this range. Call the office to get the exact amount before you visit.

Payment is due when you file. Cash is usually accepted. Ask about checks or cards when you call. Small rural counties may have limited payment options. Bring cash to be safe.

Need extra copies? Get them 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 Lowndes 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 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 Lowndes County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for the person filing
• Recording fee (call to confirm amount)

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 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.

Can You Search Lowndes Records Online?

Lowndes County uses the Ingenuity system for some online services. Some records may be searchable online. 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.

Lowndes County Civil Rights History

Lowndes County played a central role in the civil rights movement. The famous Selma to Montgomery march passed through here in 1965. Marchers walked Highway 80 through the county on their way to the state capital. The journey took five days and changed history.

The Black Panther symbol originated in Lowndes County. Local activists used the panther as a symbol for the Lowndes County Freedom Organization in 1965. This predated the more famous Black Panther Party in California. The symbol represented strength and courage.

The courthouse in Hayneville witnessed key events. Civil rights workers were tried here. The building still stands as a reminder of that era. Filing a marriage license here connects you to this powerful history. The same halls that saw struggle now see celebrations.

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 Lowndes County

Lowndes County includes Hayneville, Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, and a few other small communities. Hayneville is the county seat. None have populations over 50,000. All residents file marriage licenses at the Lowndes County Probate Court in Hayneville.

The county is part of Alabama's Black Belt region. It is rural and sparsely populated. Agriculture shapes the local economy. The Probate Court serves all residents across the county.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Lowndes County Records

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