alabama public marriage records: how to find, request, and compare sources

What these records include

Alabama keeps public marriage records that typically list the parties’ names, date of marriage, county of filing, and the officiant or filing probate judge. After 2019, the state uses an Alabama Marriage Certificate rather than a license, but the filed certificate remains a public record.

Where to search

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) maintains a statewide index from 1936 to present. For earlier years, check the county probate court where the certificate was recorded. Certified copies are available, while informational searches help verify details before ordering.

Comparing access options

Popular ways to obtain records

• ADPH (statewide): Convenient mail or online orders; broad coverage since 1936; processing times vary.
• County probate court: Best for pre‑1936 or recent filings; local staff can confirm spellings and dates.
• Third‑party portals: Quick search tools; good for index lookups, but certificates still come from ADPH or the county.

Expect to provide names, approximate marriage date, and county. Turnaround is fastest when you supply exact spellings and alternate name forms.