City guide · Huntsville, Alabama · Details last checked Oct 31, 2026

Huntsville, Alabama document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Huntsville, Alabama, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

• Printing and copying: public computer printouts and photocopies are $0.15 a copy, color photocopies $0.25 and microfilm printer copies $0.20 ^[10].
• Mobile printing: the library takes print jobs from phones, tablets and laptops; files can be up to 60MB, and PDFs are preferred ^[11].
• Fax: available at 10 branches, including Downtown Huntsville, North Huntsville, South Huntsville and Cavalry Hill ^[12]. We didn't find a fax price.

• The UPS Store: it lists 7 locations in Huntsville. Its city page says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[13]. We didn't find prices on the store pages; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[14]. The Census Geocoder places 6 of the 7 inside Huntsville city; it didn't match the address of the store at 3220 Acton Dr., Ste. C0016 ^[13][15].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Huntsville

• Huntsville-Madison County Public Library: $1.00 per item notarized, at Cavalry Hill, Downtown Huntsville, South Huntsville and the Madison Public Library (in the city of Madison). It depends on the notary's availability, so call the branch ahead or book an appointment. Bring an unexpired government photo ID with a signature, and your own witnesses if you need them; don't sign the document beforehand ^[3].
• The UPS Store: its Huntsville page lists notarizing ^[13]. We didn't find prices.
• Madison County Probate Office: it says it doesn't provide notary services ^[7].
• Becoming a notary in Madison County: you're commissioned by the Probate Judge of Madison County for four years. File the application with the $10.00 application fee and show proof of Madison County residency. After approval, get a $50,000 surety bond, then bring your training certificate, bond and approval letter with the $75.25 recording fee within 40 days of the approval letter, payable by check, cash or credit card ^[16].
• How notaries are commissioned (statewide): in Alabama, notaries apply to and are commissioned by the probate judge of their county, for four-year terms. New and renewal applicants must finish a training program from the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute; attorneys are exempt. The Secretary of State tells applicants to ask their county probate judge about application, bond and fee requirements ^[17]. Act 2023-548 sets a $50,000 bond ^[18].
• Fees (statewide law): Act 2023-548 lets a notary charge "a reasonable fee, not to exceed ten dollars ($10), for each notarial act performed." State, county and city employees may not charge for a notarial act done as part of their public job, unless another law allows it ^[18]. The Alabama Department of Public Health says your personal bank "should provide notary services for free" ^[6].
• Remote notarization (statewide): since Oct. 1, 2026, Act 2026-536 adds rules for remote notarization; the notary must be physically in Alabama and keep the audio-video recording for seven years ^[17].

Passports in Huntsville

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 3 facilities in Huntsville. The Census Geocoder places both post offices inside Huntsville city; it didn't match the probate court's address ^[1][15]:

• Post offices: the locator says to book appointments or see more passport times at usps.com/scheduler ^[1].
• Madison County Probate Court: passport hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: by appointment only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and first come, first served on Tuesday and Thursday. Book at 256-532-1058; questions 256-532-3330 or passports@madisoncountyal.gov ^[2].
• Probate Court fees: the $35.00 execution (acceptance) fee is paid by check, money order or cash. The State Department's fee must be paid by check or money order; the office doesn't take debit or credit cards ^[2].
• Probate Court extras: its locator note says there's a self-service passport photo booth in the lobby and it makes free photocopies ^[1]. It carries passport forms, but its agents can't take the DS-82 renewal form; renewals go by mail to the State Department ^[2].
• Two probate offices: the probate pages list the Madison County Courthouse, 100 North Side Square, and the Madison County Service Center, 1918 North Memorial Parkway ^[2]. The locator lists passports at the Service Center address ^[1].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[19].
• Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[19]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[20]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Oct 31, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates (statewide)

• Fees (statewide): the Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15.00 to search for a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate, including one certified copy (or a "Certificate of Failure to Find"). Extra copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6.00 each. Expediting adds $15.00. Fees aren't refunded ^{[4][21][22][23]}.
• In person (statewide): any county health department in Alabama can issue certified copies, and most are issued while you wait ^[9][4].
• By mail (statewide): Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625, by check or money order payable to "Center for Health Statistics" (no cash). Allow about 7–10 days ^[4][9].
• Online or by phone (statewide): through VitalChek, 1-888-279-9888, with extra fees; the state office doesn't take online requests directly ^[9].
• Who can order (statewide): birth certificates are restricted for 125 years and death certificates for 25 years to the people the law lists, such as the person named, parents, spouse, children and siblings. Marriage and divorce certificates are unrestricted ^{[4][21][22][23]}.

• Madison County Health Department: certified copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates. 301 Max Luther Drive NW, (256) 539-3711, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ^[5][24]. The Census Geocoder places it in Huntsville city ^[15].

Marriage certificates (Alabama has no marriage licenses)

• No marriage licenses (statewide): since Aug. 29, 2019, Alabama probate courts no longer issue marriage licenses. Instead, the couple completes the Alabama Marriage Certificate form and delivers it to a probate court for recording within 30 days of the later of the two signatures. You can record it in any Alabama county probate court, and each probate court sets its own recording fee ^[6].
• Notary (statewide): the form must be notarized by a notary authorized under Alabama law; a form notarized by an out-of-state notary isn't accepted ^[6].
• Copies and corrections (statewide): certified copies are $15.00 from the state (see above) or any county health department. Corrections go through the probate court that issued the license or recorded the certificate ^[22].
• Madison County Probate Office: the filing fee is $89.00 per marriage certificate form, paid in cash or by credit card; by mail, only a certified or cashier's check. Certified copies are $2.00 each ^[7].
• How: the form must be typewritten; the office won't accept handwritten forms. Have the signatures notarized by an Alabama notary (the probate office doesn't notarize), then deliver the original within 30 days of the later signature. Recording hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. To mail it, send it to Probate Judge, 1918 Memorial Parkway NW, Huntsville, AL 35801, with a self-addressed stamped envelope ^[7].
• Amendments: recording an Amendment to Alabama Marriage Certificate costs $25.75 ^[7].

Recorded documents (deeds and other land records)

• Madison County Probate Office: recording fees effective April 1, 2013 total $25.75 for the first page and $2.50 for each additional page, for deeds, mortgages and other documents such as releases, affidavits and powers of attorney. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 and mortgage tax $0.15 per $100 ^[25].
• Format: leave a 3-inch margin at the top of the first page, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mailed documents ^[25].
• Copies: $1 a page plus $2 for certification ^[25].

Court records

• Madison County Circuit Clerk: Madison County Courthouse, 100 North Side Square, Room 217, (256) 532-3300, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday ^[26]. The Census Geocoder places the courthouse in Huntsville city ^[15].
• Search and copy fees: the records request form lists searches at $10.00 for computerized records, $20.00 for paper records and $25.00 for archived or microfilmed records, and copies at $5.00 for pages 1 through 20, $0.50 for each additional page and $5.00 for each certification. Allow two weeks ^[27].
• How to pay: submit a form for each party, in person or by mail. By mail, only money orders or cashier's checks (no personal checks); cash is accepted in person ^[28].

Apostilles and certifications (statewide)

• Fee (statewide): $5.00 per document from the Alabama Secretary of State's Authentication Division. It accepts check or money order payable to the Secretary of State, cash or a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover) ^[29][30].
• Which one (statewide): countries in the Hague Convention get an Apostille; other countries get a Certification ^[29].
• Whose signature (statewide): an Apostille goes on documents signed and sealed by a currently commissioned Alabama notary, probate judge or the current State Registrar; birth and death certificates must carry the current State Registrar's signature. A Certification goes on documents signed by a probate judge, circuit clerk or the current State Registrar, and a notarized document also needs a county authentication from the probate judge of the county where the notary is commissioned. Federal documents aren't authenticated by the state ^[29].
• Where (statewide): mail the submittal form and documents to the Authentication Division, 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, AL 36130, and allow five business days for mail time. Walk-in service is 8:00 to 5:00 Monday–Friday. Phone (334) 242-5325 ^[30].

• Madison County step: if your notarized document is going to a country that needs a Certification rather than an Apostille, first get a county authentication from the probate judge of the county where the notary is commissioned (statewide rule) ^[29]. We didn't find a Madison County price for this.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[31]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• City or county shred events: we didn't find a free shred event or drop-off on the City of Huntsville's recycling page ^[32].
• The UPS Store: its Huntsville page lists shredding ^[13]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 31, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Alabama): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
2. Madison County Probate Judge, "Apply for a Passport" (read with a web fetch; the site blocked our direct download): madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge/passports (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
3. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, "Notary": hmcpl.org/amenities/notary (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
4. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Birth Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/birth-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
5. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Madison County Health Department": alabamapublichealth.gov/madison (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
6. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Marriage FAQs": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-faqs.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
7. Madison County Probate Judge, "Marriage Certificate" (read with a web fetch; the site blocked our direct download): madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge/areas-of-service/marriage-licenses (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
8. U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Alabama": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st01_al_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
9. Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, "Vital Records": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/index.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
10. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, "Fines and Fees": hmcpl.org/policies/fines (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
11. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, "Mobile Printing": hmcpl.org/mobileprint (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
12. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, "Fax Services": hmcpl.org/amenities/fax-services (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
13. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Huntsville, Alabama": locations.theupsstore.com/al/huntsville (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
14. The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
15. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
16. Madison County Probate Judge, "Notary Commissions" (read with a web fetch; the site blocked our direct download): madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge/areas-of-service/notary-commissions (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
17. Alabama Secretary of State, "Notaries Public": sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/notaries-public (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
18. Alabama Secretary of State, "Act 2023-548 (SB322, enrolled; PDF)": sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/notaries-public/Act%202023-548.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
19. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
20. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
21. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Death Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/death-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
22. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Marriage Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
23. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Divorce Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/divorce-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
24. Alabama Department of Public Health, "Madison County Health Department: Contact Us": alabamapublichealth.gov/madison/contact.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
25. Madison County Probate Judge, "All Other Fees (recording)" (read with a web fetch; the site blocked our direct download): madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge/fees/all-other-fees (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
26. Madison County Circuit Clerk (Alabama Administrative Office of Courts), "Madison County - 23rd Judicial Circuit of Alabama": madison.alacourt.gov (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
27. Madison County Circuit Clerk, "Records Request Form (PDF)": madison.alacourt.gov/media/1445/recordsrequestdk.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
28. Madison County Circuit Clerk, "Records Request": madison.alacourt.gov/records-request (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
29. Alabama Secretary of State, "Authentications": sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/authentications (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
30. Alabama Secretary of State, "Authentication Submittal Form (PDF)": sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/form-files/AUTHENTICATION%20SUBMITTAL%20FORM.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
31. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
32. City of Huntsville, "Recycling": huntsvilleal.gov/residents/trash-recycling/recycling (last checked Oct 31, 2026)

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• US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
• How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
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