Marriage records in Etowah County, Alabama, can be accessed through several channels. EtowahCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also contact the Etowah County Probate Judge's Office directly, visit in person at the courthouse in Gadsden, or submit a request by mail. The Alabama Department of Public Health maintains statewide vital records as an additional resource for marriage certificates recorded since August 1936.
Etowah County Marriage Records Search
In Alabama, the Probate Judge's Office in each county is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining local marriage records. The Etowah County Probate Judge's Office, located in the Etowah County Courthouse in Gadsden, holds marriage license records for marriages that occurred within the county. These records include marriage licenses issued, completed marriage certificates returned after the ceremony, and historical marriage documents dating back to the county's establishment in 1866.
Since the passage of Alabama Act 2019-340, Alabama no longer requires a marriage ceremony. Instead, couples complete and submit a marriage certificate form to the Probate Judge's Office, which records the document and issues a certified copy. The Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office handles divorce and domestic relations records separately.
For statewide searches of marriages recorded since August 1936, the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics maintains a central index of marriage certificates.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Etowah County
Fees for marriage record services vary depending on whether you request copies from the county Probate Judge's Office or from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Below are the standard fees based on current ADPH and county schedules:
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (ADPH – statewide records since 1936) | $15.00 | ADPH vital records fee schedule |
| Additional certified copy (same order, ADPH) | $6.00 each | ADPH vital records fee schedule |
| Marriage license / certificate recording (county) | Varies; contact Probate Office | Etowah County Probate Judge's Office |
| Certified copy from Probate Judge's Office | Varies; contact Probate Office | Etowah County Probate Judge's Office |
The ADPH search fee of $15.00 includes one certified copy or a "Certificate of Failure to Find" if no record is located. Processing through ADPH typically takes 3–6 weeks by mail. Contact the Etowah County Probate Judge's Office directly at (256) 549-5370 for the most current local copy fees and processing times.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Etowah County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Etowah County or the state of Alabama:
Online
The Alabama Department of Public Health offers online ordering for marriage certificates through its contracted vendor, VitalChek. You can order certified copies of marriages recorded statewide since August 1936 through the ADPH vital records page. Additional processing and shipping fees apply when ordering online. The Etowah County Probate Judge's Office does not currently offer online ordering for local marriage records.
In Person
Visit the Etowah County Probate Judge's Office at the courthouse during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search for and provide copies of marriage records on file with the county. A public access computer terminal is also available at the Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office for searching certain court records.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail from the Alabama Department of Public Health:
- Download and complete the vital records application form from the ADPH website.
- Include a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID.
- Enclose a check or money order for $15.00 (payable to "State Board of Health") for the first copy, plus $6.00 for each additional copy.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if desired.
- Mail to:Center for Health Statistics
For local marriage records, you may also mail a written request to the Etowah County Probate Judge's Office at the courthouse address listed above. Call ahead at (256) 549-5370 to confirm the required fee, acceptable payment methods, and what identifying information to include in your request.
Applicable court forms for Alabama courts are available through the Administrative Office of Courts E-Forms portal. If you need to verify which office holds a specific record, the Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office can direct you to the correct department.