Search Tuscaloosa County Marriage Licenses

Tuscaloosa County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in the city of Tuscaloosa. This county is home to the University of Alabama. The Probate Court accepts mail-in filings. This is useful for couples who cannot visit in person. This guide explains how to file and search for marriage records in Tuscaloosa County.

Tuscaloosa County Probate Court Office

The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court is in downtown Tuscaloosa. The office is in the courthouse on Greensboro Avenue. This is a busy office. Tuscaloosa is the fifth largest city in Alabama. The staff handles many marriage filings each week.

The office is open on weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome. You do not need an appointment. Wait times vary. Busy times include game weekends and the end of the semester when students graduate and get married. Plan your visit for a regular weekday if you can.

Note: The office is closed on state holidays and during severe weather.

Tuscaloosa County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Tuscaloosa County is $74 to $75. This is in the middle range for Alabama counties. The fee includes the $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay when you submit your form.

Tuscaloosa County accepts cash and checks. Credit and debit cards work too, but there may be a small fee. Ask the clerk about card fees before you pay. Money orders are also accepted.

If you file by mail, include a check or money order. Do not send cash in the mail. Make the check payable to Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your certified copies mailed back.

Certified copies cost extra. The first copy is about $5 to $6. More copies cost less. Order copies when you file or come back later. Many couples get two or three copies for their records.

Note: Fees can change. Call (205) 464-8204 to confirm the current fee.

How to File in Tuscaloosa County

Filing a marriage license in Tuscaloosa County follows state rules. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples fill out a form and file it at a Probate Court. Tuscaloosa County offers both in-person and mail-in options.

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. Banks, shipping stores, and some offices have notaries. The Probate Court staff cannot notarize your form.

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

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for each person
• $74-75 for the recording fee

You have 30 days after the last signature to file. If you miss this deadline, the form expires. The marriage is legal on the date of the last signature, not the filing date. Filing makes it an official record.

Processing is fast in person. 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 30 minutes.

Tuscaloosa County Mail-In Filing

Tuscaloosa County accepts mail-in filings. This is a nice option if you cannot visit in person. Not all Alabama counties offer this. Tuscaloosa County makes it easy for couples who live far away or have busy schedules.

To file by mail, send these items:

• Completed and notarized marriage license form
• Check or money order for the recording fee
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for your copies
• A note with your phone number and how many copies you want

Mail everything to the Probate Court at 714 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. The staff will process your form and mail back certified copies. This takes about one to two weeks. Call ahead to confirm the fee amount and any special instructions.

Mail-in is a good option for UA students who are away for the summer. It also works for couples who live out of state but want to file in Alabama. Remember, the form must still be notarized by an Alabama notary before you mail it.

Can You Search Tuscaloosa Records Online?

Tuscaloosa County has online records through a custom portal. You can search for basic probate records from home. This includes some marriage records. The system is useful for quick lookups.

The state also 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 detailed searches, contact the Probate Court at (205) 464-8204. Staff can search by name and date. Bring as much info as you can. Full names and dates help speed up the search.

Tuscaloosa County and UA

Tuscaloosa County is home to the University of Alabama. The campus is in the city of Tuscaloosa. This brings over 38,000 students to the area. Many students and graduates get married here.

Game days are big in Tuscaloosa. Football weekends bring over 100,000 fans to town. The Probate Court is open on weekdays, not game days. But game weekends can make the town busy. Plan your trip to avoid football traffic if you can.

UA students can file their marriage licenses at the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The fee is $74-75. The mail-in option helps students who are away during breaks. Staff are used to helping young couples navigate the process.

If you met at UA and want to get married here, the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court is a fitting choice. Many Crimson Tide couples file here. The courthouse is a short drive from campus.

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 works this way.

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 legal marriage.

Age requirements 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. Section 30-1-5 covers consent rules.

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Section 22-9A-21 says anyone can request copies. You do not need to be a party to the marriage. This makes records easy to access.

After a divorce, you must wait 60 days before you can marry again. This is state law. The clock starts when the divorce is final.

Cities in Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County has one major city and several smaller towns. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Tuscaloosa.

Other cities and towns in Tuscaloosa County include Northport, Cottondale, Coaling, Brookwood, Lake View, and Vance. Northport is the second largest city. It sits across the Black Warrior River from Tuscaloosa. All these residents use the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Tuscaloosa County Records

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