Winston County Marriage Licenses

Winston County marriage licenses are filed at the Probate Court in Double Springs. This county has a unique history. It is called the Free State of Winston because it refused to secede from the Union during the Civil War. This guide explains how to file and find marriage records in Winston County, Alabama.

Winston County Probate Court Office

The Winston County Probate Court is in Double Springs. This is the county seat. The courthouse is on the main road through town. Staff handle marriage licenses and other vital records. The office serves the whole county.

Winston County is in the hill country of northwest Alabama. It is rural and scenic. The office is not crowded. Wait times are short. You can walk in during business hours. No appointment is needed.

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

Winston County Marriage License Fees

The recording fee in Winston County is $74. 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.

Winston 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 (205) 489-5219 to confirm the current fee before you visit.

How to File in Winston County

Filing a marriage license in Winston County follows state rules. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. Couples fill out a form and file it at a Probate Court. Winston County handles filings at the Double Springs 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 Winston County, bring these items:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by an Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID for each person
• $74 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 Winston Records Online?

Winston County uses the Ingenuity system for some probate records. This gives limited online access. 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) 489-5219. Staff can search by name and date. Bring as much info as you can. Full names and dates help speed up the search.

Winston County Civil War History

Winston County has a unique place in American history. It is called the Free State of Winston. During the Civil War, the county refused to join the Confederacy. This made it different from the rest of Alabama.

The story goes back to 1861. Alabama voted to secede from the United States. Winston County held its own meeting. The people there voted against secession. They said if Alabama could leave the Union, then Winston County could leave Alabama.

Of course, Winston County did not really become its own country. But the name stuck. The Free State of Winston became a local legend. Today, the county is proud of its independent history.

Many factors led to this stance. Winston County had few slaves. Most people were small farmers. They did not feel the same ties to the plantation system as other parts of Alabama. The hill country was different from the Black Belt.

During the war, some Winston County men joined the Union Army. Others hid in the hills to avoid the Confederate draft. The county faced hard times. After the war, tensions remained. But today, the Free State story is a source of pride.

If you are interested in Civil War history, Winston County is worth a visit. You can file your marriage license and explore the Free State heritage. The Probate Court in Double Springs is a good starting point.

Winston County Hill Country

Winston County is in the hill country of northwest Alabama. The land is hilly and forested. It is different from the flat farmland in other parts of the state. The Sipsey Wilderness is nearby. This is one of the largest wilderness areas in the eastern United States.

The county has waterfalls, creeks, and scenic views. Outdoor lovers visit for hiking, fishing, and camping. Natural Bridge is a popular spot. It is a rock arch formed by erosion. The bridge is on private land but open to visitors.

Double Springs is the county seat. It is a small town. The courthouse is on the main road. From there, you can explore the surrounding countryside. The area is quiet and peaceful.

If you want a low-key place to file your marriage license, Winston County fits the bill. The fee is $74. The office is not busy. You can enjoy the natural beauty before or after your visit.

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 Winston County

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

Towns include Double Springs, Haleyville (partly in Winston), Addison, Lynn, and Arley. Double Springs is the county seat. Haleyville is the largest city in the area, but it straddles the county line with Marion County.

There are no cities in Winston County over 50,000. The nearest large cities are Birmingham and Huntsville. Residents can file in any Alabama county they choose.

Nearby Counties

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

Search Winston County Records

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