Alabama Marriage License Fee & Waiting Period

Alabama abolished the traditional marriage license system effective August 29, 2019. Instead of obtaining a license, couples sign a notarized marriage certificate form and record it with any county probate court within 30 days of signing. There is no waiting period before the certificate can be signed. The recording fee varies by county and is set at the local level; representative amounts range from approximately $73 to $89, though the specific fee should be confirmed directly with the issuing county clerk's office.

Once recorded, the notarized marriage certificate serves as the official record of marriage. The recording fee varies by jurisdiction—for example, Mobile County charges $73, Jefferson County $84.50, and Madison County $89. Couples should verify the exact fee with their county probate court before recording, as fees are established individually by each county rather than set statewide.

The fee is representative. Marriage-license fees here are county-set and vary; confirm the exact, current amount on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. Informational only — not legal advice.

Where the fee is actually set

In most states the marriage-license fee is set by the county, not the legislature, so a single statewide number can be wrong for you. The license document itself is issued by the county clerk — that office’s own fee schedule is the authoritative source for the current amount and any waiting period.

Full Alabama license guide → · Compare fee models by state →