Wilcox County Marriage License Records

Wilcox County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Camden. This county has marriage records dating back to 1819. That is one day before Alabama became a state. The county is also known for the famous Gee's Bend quilts. This guide covers how to file and search for marriage records in Wilcox County.

Wilcox County Probate Court Office

The Wilcox County Probate Court is in Camden. This is the county seat. The courthouse sits in the center of town. Staff handle marriage licenses and other vital records. The office serves the whole county.

Wilcox County is rural and quiet. The office is not crowded. Wait times are short. You can walk in during business hours. No appointment is needed. The staff are helpful and can answer your questions.

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

Wilcox County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Wilcox County is $70. This is one of the lowest fees in Alabama. The fee includes the $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. You pay when you submit your form.

Wilcox County accepts cash and checks. Credit cards may work with a small fee. 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 (334) 682-4883 to confirm the current fee before you visit.

How to File in Wilcox County

Filing a marriage license in Wilcox County is simple. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples fill out a form and file it at a Probate Court. Wilcox County handles filings at the Camden 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 Wilcox County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for each person
• $70 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 Wilcox County Records Online?

Wilcox 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.

Wilcox County has records going back to 1819. These older records are kept locally. For historic research, contact the Probate Court at (334) 682-4883. Staff can search by name and date. Bring as much info as you can.

Wilcox County Historic Records

Wilcox County has marriage records from 1819. This is special. The county was created on December 13, 1819. Alabama became a state on December 14, 1819. That means Wilcox County records start one day before statehood.

These early records are valuable for genealogy. They show the families who lived here in the early days. The records cover marriages, property, and other court matters. Researchers come from far away to search Wilcox County records.

The Probate Court keeps these old records safe. Some have been microfilmed. Others are in original ledgers. The older records may be hard to read due to age and handwriting. Staff can help you with searches.

If you are tracing family roots in Alabama, Wilcox County is worth checking. Many families passed through this area in the 1800s. The county was larger then and covered more land. Check here if your ancestors lived in southwest Alabama.

Wilcox County Quilting Heritage

Wilcox County is home to Gee's Bend. This small community is famous for its quilts. The quilts have been shown in museums around the world. They are known for bold patterns and bright colors.

Gee's Bend sits on a bend in the Alabama River. The community has been there for generations. The quilting tradition started with enslaved women. It continued through the families. Today, the quilts are collected as art.

The quilts put Wilcox County on the map. People visit to see where they are made. Some come to buy quilts directly from the makers. The community is proud of its heritage.

If you visit Wilcox County to file your marriage license, consider seeing Gee's Bend. The Probate Court in Camden is about 30 minutes away. You can do both in one trip.

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 Wilcox County

Wilcox County has a few small towns. All residents file marriage licenses at the Probate Court in Camden. This is the only Probate Court in the county.

Towns include Camden, Pine Apple, Pine Hill, and Alberta. Camden is the county seat and largest town. The others are very small. Most of the county is rural farmland and forest.

There are no cities in Wilcox County over 50,000. The nearest large cities are Selma and Montgomery. Residents can file in any Alabama county they choose.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Wilcox County Records

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