Madison County Marriage Licenses

Madison County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Huntsville. This county has the second-highest recording fee in Alabama at $89. Madison County is home to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. It is the most populous county in the state, with Huntsville as its seat. The Probate Court operates two locations to serve this large area. This guide explains everything you need to know about filing your marriage license in Madison County.

Madison County Probate Court Offices

Madison County operates two Probate Court locations. The main office is in downtown Huntsville. A second location serves residents in the western part of the county. Both offices can process your marriage license filing.

The main office is at the Madison County Service Center on Memorial Parkway. This is the larger office with more staff. It handles the bulk of filings. The second office provides the same services. Pick the location that works best for you.

Both offices get busy at times. Huntsville is a fast-growing city. Many couples file here each week. Morning hours tend to be less crowded. Afternoons, especially late in the week, see more traffic.

Note: The main phone number connects to both offices. Staff can direct your call to the right location.

Madison County Marriage License Fees

Madison County charges $89 to record a marriage license. This is the second-highest fee in Alabama. Only Calhoun County charges more at $104. The fee funds county services and the state Domestic Violence Trust Fund.

The $89 fee includes recording and one certified copy. Most couples need just one copy to start. You can get more copies later if needed. Extra copies cost less than the initial filing.

Payment options in Madison County are specific. Cash works at both locations. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a small fee. For mail requests, send a certified check or cashier's check. Personal checks may not be accepted for all transactions.

The fee structure in Madison County is as follows:

• Marriage license recording: $89
• Additional certified copies: Around $5 each
• Card processing fee: About 2.5%
• Mail requests: Certified or cashier's check only

Note: Fees can change. Call ahead to confirm the current amount before you visit.

How to File in Madison County

Filing your marriage license in Madison County takes just a few steps. The process is the same at both office locations. Plan ahead and bring everything you need.

Start by getting the form. Download it from the Alabama Department of Public Health at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. You must type the form. Handwritten forms are rejected. Fill in all fields for both spouses.

Both parties must sign. Each signature needs notarization. Use an Alabama notary only. Since June 2022, out-of-state notarization is not valid for Alabama marriage forms. Many banks offer free notary services. You can also check with the Probate Court about notary availability.

Bring the form to either Madison County office. Pay the $89 fee. Staff will process your filing. The whole thing takes about 10 to 15 minutes if your paperwork is in order. You get a certified copy on the spot.

Your marriage is legal on the date of the second signature. Not the filing date. You have 30 days from that signature date to file. Do not miss this deadline.

Bring these items to your filing appointment:

• Typed marriage license form
• Both signatures notarized by Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Payment of $89

Can You Search Madison County Records Online?

Madison County offers limited online access to marriage records. The county does not have a full public portal like some larger counties. You can search some records, but options are restricted.

For the best results, contact the Probate Court by phone. Staff can search records and tell you what is available. They can provide copies by mail if you cannot visit in person. Include a written request and payment.

The state also maintains marriage records. Alabama Center for Health Statistics has records from August 1936 to present. Order copies through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The fee is $15 for the first copy.

Madison County records date back many years. For older records, the Probate Court is your best source. Staff can help you find historical marriage records. Some records have been digitized. Others are on microfilm or in paper files.

Madison County and NASA

Madison County is the aerospace hub of Alabama. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is here. Redstone Arsenal covers much of the county. Cummings Research Park is the second-largest research park in the country. These facilities draw thousands of workers from around the world.

Many couples who work in aerospace file their marriage licenses here. Engineers, scientists, and contractors from across the globe call Madison County home. The Probate Court staff are used to helping people from many backgrounds.

Huntsville grew fast because of the space program. It is now Alabama's largest city by population. The city of Madison is also in Madison County. Both cities continue to grow. More residents mean more marriage filings each year.

The county's high fee reflects its size and services. At $89, Madison County charges the second-highest rate in the state. Only Calhoun County's $104 fee is higher. The fee helps fund county operations and the Domestic Violence Trust Fund.

If you work at NASA, Redstone, or the research park, filing here is convenient. Both Probate Court locations are easy to reach. Parking is available at both sites. The process is quick for those with complete paperwork.

Alabama Marriage License Laws

Alabama law changed in 2019. The state ended the old license system. Now couples use a marriage license form instead. The main law is Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1.

No ceremony is needed. No officiant must sign. No witnesses are required. The marriage is legal once both parties sign, have it notarized, and file within 30 days. Alabama is the only state with this system.

Age rules apply in Madison County. You must be 18 to marry without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 need a parent to sign a notarized affidavit. No one under 16 can marry under Alabama law.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can request copies. You need proper ID and payment. There is no waiting period to access records.

Divorced persons must wait 60 days. This is set by state law. You cannot file a new marriage license until 60 days after your divorce is final. The Probate Court may ask for proof.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County has two major cities with qualifying populations. Both Huntsville and Madison have over 50,000 residents. All county residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court.

Other communities in Madison County include Harvest, Meridianville, Hazel Green, and New Hope. Residents of all these areas file at the Madison County Probate Court. The two office locations serve the entire county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison County. You can file your marriage license in any Alabama county. Some nearby counties have lower fees.

Search Madison County Marriage Records

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