Marriage records in Shelby County, Alabama, are available through several channels. ShelbyALCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available marriage record information in the county. Additionally, original documents are stored at the Shelby County Probate Judge's office, and certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained through the Alabama Department of Public Health. Requests are accepted in person, by mail, and online.
Shelby Marriage Records Search
In Alabama, marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court of the respective county. For Shelby County, this is the Probate Judge's office located in the courthouse in Columbiana. Since 2019, the state of Alabama has switched to a marriage certificate system instead of traditional licenses — couples fill out a form, have it notarized, and submit it to the Probate Judge without the need for a ceremony or officiant.
The county's marriage records collection includes:
- Marriage certificates filed since August 2019 in accordance with Alabama Act 2019-340
- Historical marriage licenses issued before August 2019
- Records of returned (filed) marriage licenses from previous decades
Certified copies of marriage certificates for events registered after 1936 are also maintained by the Center for Health Statistics at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Records prior to 1936 are generally available only at the county level.
Shelby County Probate Office
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Shelby
The cost depends on where you order the copy — at the county level (Probate Office) or at the state level (ADPH). Below are the main fees.
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy (ADPH) | $15.00 | Includes search and one copy |
| Additional Copy (ADPH, same order) | $6.00 | Each subsequent copy of the same record |
| Marriage Certificate / License (Probate Office) | Check with the office | Fee set at the county level |
| Expedited Processing (ADPH, by mail) | Additional $10.00–$15.00 | Depends on the chosen delivery service |
ADPH fees are set in accordance with Code of Alabama § 22-9A-16. The exact fee at the Shelby County Probate Office should be confirmed by phone before visiting, as it may vary.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Shelby
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Shelby
There are several ways to order a certified copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
ADPH accepts online orders through the VitalChek portal. Go to the Vital Records page of the Alabama Department of Public Health and select the online order option. You will need to provide the full names of the spouses, the date, and the county of marriage registration. The service charges an additional processing fee.
In Person
The fastest way is to visit the Shelby County Health Department directly, where most records are issued on the same day. A valid photo ID must be presented.
To obtain a copy of the marriage license or certificate filed with the Probate Court, contact the Probate Office at the address provided above.
By Mail
To order a copy through ADPH by mail, send:
- A completed record request form (available for download from the ADPH website)
- A check or money order for $15.00 payable to the State Board of Health
- A copy of a valid photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (optional, for faster processing)
Mailing address for requests:
Mail requests take approximately four to six weeks to process. If the record pertains to a marriage before 1936, ADPH may not have it in their database — in such cases, contact the Shelby County Probate Office or the Circuit Clerk's office directly to verify the availability of historical documents.