Tallapoosa County Marriage Licenses

Tallapoosa County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Dadeville. This county surrounds Lake Martin, a popular resort area. The Probate Court has three office locations. This guide covers how to file and find marriage records in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

Tallapoosa County Probate Court Offices

The main Probate Court is in Dadeville. This is the county seat. The courthouse sits in the center of town. Staff handle marriage licenses and other probate matters. The office is easy to find.

Tallapoosa County has three office locations. This helps serve residents across the county. Lake Martin is large, and some parts of the county are far from Dadeville. The extra offices make it easier to access services. Call ahead to see what services each location offers.

Note: Call (256) 825-4266 for info about the other office locations and their hours.

Tallapoosa County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Tallapoosa County is $71. This is one of the lower fees in Alabama. The fee includes the $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay when you submit your form.

Tallapoosa County accepts cash and checks. Credit cards may work with a small fee added. Ask the clerk about payment options before your visit. Money orders are also fine. Bring exact payment if you can.

Certified copies cost extra. The first copy is about $5. More copies cost less each. Many couples order a few copies for their records. You can get copies when you file or come back later.

Note: Fees may change. Call (256) 825-4266 to confirm the current fee before you visit.

How to File in Tallapoosa County

Filing a marriage license in Tallapoosa County is simple. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples fill out a form and file it at a Probate Court. Tallapoosa County handles filings at the Dadeville courthouse.

Start by getting the form. Go to the Alabama Department of Public Health website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. Download and print the form. You must type the info. Handwritten forms are not accepted.

Both people fill out their sections. Then both sign the form. After signing, you need a notary to stamp both signatures. The notary must be licensed in Alabama. Out-of-state notaries will not work. Banks, shipping stores, and some offices have notaries.

To file your marriage license in Tallapoosa County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for each person
• $71 for the recording fee

You have 30 days after the last signature to file. If you wait too long, the form expires. The marriage is legal on the date of the last signature, not the filing date.

Processing is fast. The clerk checks your form while you wait. If it is correct, they record it on the spot. You can get certified copies right away. Most visits take 15 to 20 minutes.

Can You Search Tallapoosa Records Online?

Tallapoosa County has limited online records. The county does not have a full public search portal. For most searches, you will need to call or visit the Probate Court.

The state keeps copies of all marriage licenses. The Alabama Department of Public Health has records from 1936 on. You can order copies through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This works for any Alabama county.

For older records or in-depth searches, contact the Probate Court at (256) 825-4266. Staff can search by name and date. Bring as much info as you can. Full names and dates help speed up the search.

Tallapoosa County Lake Martin

Lake Martin is the heart of Tallapoosa County. This large lake draws visitors all year. People come for boating, fishing, and lake living. Many couples have lake weddings here.

The lake has over 700 miles of shoreline. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country. Towns around the lake include Dadeville, Alexander City, and Eclectic. The lake area has grown as a vacation and retirement spot.

If you are visiting Lake Martin and want to get married, you can file at the Tallapoosa County Probate Court. The fee is $71. This is one of the lower fees in the state. The Dadeville courthouse is about 10 minutes from many lake areas.

Alabama has no residency rule. You do not have to live here to file. Visitors and lake residents can both use the Tallapoosa County Probate Court. The process is the same for everyone.

Tallapoosa County Three Locations

Tallapoosa County stands out by having three office locations. This is not common. Most counties have just one office. Tallapoosa County spread out its services to help residents.

The main courthouse is in Dadeville. This is where most filings happen. The other locations serve different parts of the county. Call the main office at (256) 825-4266 to learn what each location offers. Some services may only be at the main courthouse.

If you live far from Dadeville, one of the other locations may be closer. Check before you drive. Staff can tell you which office handles marriage licenses.

Marriage License Laws in Alabama

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. The state stopped using marriage licenses. Now couples file a marriage license. Alabama is the only state that does this.

Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1 sets the rules. You must complete the state form, have both signatures notarized, and file within 30 days. No ceremony is needed. No officiant is needed. The notarized form creates the marriage.

Age rules come from Section 30-1-4. You must be at least 16 to marry in Alabama. If you are 16 or 17, a parent must give consent via a notarized affidavit.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Section 22-9A-21 says anyone can request copies. You do not need to be a spouse. This makes records easy to access for legal or personal reasons.

After a divorce, you must wait 60 days before you can marry again. This is state law.

Cities in Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County has several towns around Lake Martin. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court. The main office is in Dadeville.

Major towns include Dadeville, Alexander City (partly in Tallapoosa), Camp Hill, and Jacksons Gap. Dadeville is the county seat. Alexander City is the largest city in the area, though part of it is in Coosa County.

There are no cities in Tallapoosa County over 50,000. The nearest large cities are Auburn and Montgomery. Both are within an hour drive. Residents can file in any Alabama county they choose.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tallapoosa County. You can file your marriage license in any Alabama county. Pick the one that works best for you.

Search Tallapoosa County Records

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