Walker County Marriage License Records

Walker County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Jasper. This county has a rich coal mining history. The Probate Court closes for lunch each day from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plan your visit around this break. This guide covers how to file and find marriage licenses in Walker County.

Walker County Probate Court Office

The Walker County Probate Court is in Jasper. This is the county seat. The courthouse sits in the center of town. Staff handle marriage licenses and other vital records. The office is easy to find.

One thing to know about Walker County: the office closes for lunch. From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, the Probate Court is closed. This is not common. Most offices stay open through lunch. If you arrive during this time, you will have to wait. Plan your visit for the morning or after 1:00 PM.

Note: Call ahead to confirm hours, especially around holidays.

Walker County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Walker County is $75 to $78. This is in the middle range for Alabama. The fee includes the $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay when you submit your form.

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

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

Note: Fees can change. Call (205) 384-7281 to confirm the current fee before you visit.

How to File in Walker County

Filing a marriage license in Walker County is straightforward. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples fill out a form and file it at a Probate Court. Walker County handles filings at the Jasper 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. Banks, shipping stores, and some offices have notaries.

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

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for each person
• $75-78 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. Just make sure to arrive before noon or after 1:00 PM.

Walker County Lunch Hours

The Walker County Probate Court closes for lunch. This is from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM each weekday. During this time, the office is not open. You cannot file or pick up copies. This is important to know before you visit.

If you arrive at 11:45 AM, you might not have time to complete your filing before the break. The staff will ask you to come back after 1:00 PM. To avoid this, arrive early in the morning or plan to visit in the afternoon.

The lunch closure is not common in Alabama. Most Probate Courts stay open through lunch. Walker County chose a different schedule. Staff use the break to eat and handle internal tasks. Respect the schedule and plan accordingly.

Best times to visit Walker County Probate Court:

• Morning: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
• Afternoon: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

This gives you time to complete your filing without being rushed or cut off by the lunch break.

Can You Search Walker County Records Online?

Walker County uses the Ingenuity system. This gives some online access to probate records. You can search for basic info from home. For full documents, you may need to contact the office or visit in person.

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) 384-7281. Staff can search by name and date. Bring as much info as you can. Full names and dates help speed up the search.

Walker County Mining Heritage

Walker County has a deep coal mining history. Coal built this county. Mines opened in the late 1800s. They brought jobs and growth to the area. Many families moved here to work in the mines.

The mining industry shaped local culture. Towns grew around mine sites. Jasper became the business center. The coal industry peaked in the mid-1900s. Since then, mining has declined, but the heritage remains.

Today, Walker County honors its mining past. Museums and monuments tell the story. Some old mine sites are open for tours. The county takes pride in its blue-collar roots.

If you have family ties to Walker County miners, you may find marriage records here. Many mining families married and raised children in Walker County. The Probate Court has records going back many decades. Staff can help you search for ancestors.

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 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.

Cities in Walker County

Walker County has several towns. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Jasper. This is the only Probate Court in the county.

Major cities and towns include Jasper, Oakman, Sumiton, Parrish, Carbon Hill, and Cordova. Jasper is the largest city and county seat. It has the most services and shops. The other towns are smaller but still part of Walker County.

There are no cities in Walker County over 50,000. The nearest large city is Birmingham, about 40 miles southeast. Residents can file in any Alabama county they choose.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Walker County Records

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