Perry County Marriage Records

Perry County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Marion. This small rural county is home to Marion Military Institute. The recording fee is $70, one of the lowest in Alabama. Important: The Probate Court system is currently down. Call ahead before visiting to verify that services are available. This guide covers the process for filing in Perry County.

Perry County Probate Court Office

The Perry County Probate Court is in Marion. Marion is the county seat and the main town. The courthouse is in the center of town. The Probate Court normally handles marriage licenses and other legal matters.

Currently, the system is down. This affects the ability to process some filings. Before you visit, call the office at (334) 683-2210. Staff can tell you the current status. They can also suggest alternatives if services are not available.

Perry County is a small rural county. The population is under 9,000. The office serves a small community. When operating normally, wait times are usually short.

Note: Do not travel to Perry County for marriage filing without calling first. The system issues may prevent processing.

Perry County Marriage License Fees

Perry County charges $70 to record a marriage license when the system is operating. This is one of the lowest fees in Alabama. The fee includes recording and one certified copy.

When services resume, cash is likely the safest payment option. Check with the office about current payment methods. The $70 fee is tied with several other counties for the lowest in the state.

If Perry County cannot process your filing, consider nearby counties. Dallas County in Selma charges $75. Hale County in Greensboro charges $75. Marengo County in Linden charges $75. These are all close options.

Fee comparison:

• Perry County (when operating): $70
• Dallas County (Selma): $75
• Hale County (Greensboro): $75
• Marengo County (Linden): $75

How to File in Perry County

When the system is operating, filing in Perry County follows the standard process. Alabama uses a new system. There is no license. You complete a form and file it.

Download the form from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed. Handwritten forms are not accepted. Fill in all fields for both parties.

Both parties must sign the form. Each signature needs notarization by an Alabama notary. Out-of-state notarization is not valid since June 2022.

Normally, you would bring the form to the Probate Court. But with the system down, call first. Staff may not be able to process your filing. They can tell you when services might resume or suggest alternatives.

Your marriage is legal on the date of the second signature. You have 30 days from that date to file. If Perry County cannot process your filing in time, use a nearby county instead.

What to bring when services are available:

• Typed marriage license form
• Both signatures notarized
• Photo ID for both parties
• $70 payment

Alternative Counties for Filing

If Perry County cannot process your marriage license, you can file in any other Alabama county. You do not have to live in the county where you file. Here are nearby options:

Dallas County in Selma is about 25 miles east of Marion. The fee is $75. The Probate Court is at 105 Lauderdale Street. Phone: (334) 876-4830.

Hale County in Greensboro is about 20 miles north. The fee is $75. The office is at the Hale County Courthouse. Phone: (334) 624-8740.

Marengo County in Linden is about 30 miles southwest. The fee is $75. Phone: (334) 295-2210.

Any of these counties can record your marriage license. The process is the same. Bring your completed, notarized form and payment. Staff can help you complete the filing.

Perry County System Status

The Perry County Probate Court system is currently down. This affects the ability to process certain transactions. There is no set timeline for when the system will be restored.

This is an ongoing issue. The county is working to resolve it. Staff are aware of the problem. They can provide updates when you call. Do not assume services have resumed without checking first.

Perry County is one of the smallest counties in Alabama. The population is under 9,000. Small counties sometimes face technical challenges with limited resources. The staff are doing their best.

If you need to file your marriage license soon, do not wait for Perry County. Use a nearby county instead. Alabama allows you to file in any county. Your marriage will be just as valid.

Check back with Perry County if you prefer to file there. The system may be restored at some point. But for time-sensitive filings, an alternative county is the safer choice.

Marion Military Institute is in Perry County. Some couples with ties to the school may want to file here. If so, call ahead. The staff want to help but may be limited by the system issues.

Alabama Marriage License Laws

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

No ceremony is required. No officiant must sign. No witnesses are needed. The marriage is legal once both parties sign, notarize, and file within 30 days.

Age rules apply. You must be 18 to marry on your own. Those 16 or 17 need a parent's notarized affidavit. No one under 16 can marry.

Marriage records are public. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, anyone can request copies with ID and payment.

Wait 60 days after a divorce before remarrying. This is state law.

Cities in Perry County

Perry County has a few small towns. None have populations over 50,000. When the system is operating, all residents file at the Marion Probate Court.

Main communities include Marion, Uniontown, and Hamburg. Marion is the county seat with about 3,500 people. The other towns are smaller. Marion Military Institute is the most well-known institution.

Currently, with system issues, residents may need to file in nearby counties instead.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perry County. With the system currently down, these are your alternative filing locations.

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