Alabama Marriage License Requirements
Alabama is different. no marriage LICENSE since Aug 2019 — notarized certificate recorded by probate court
In Alabama, the marriage framework underwent a significant structural change in 2019. Effective August 29, 2019, the state abolished traditional marriage licenses. Instead, couples execute a notarized Marriage Certificate form, which must be recorded with any county probate court within 30 days of signing. The recording fee varies by county; examples include $73 in Mobile County, $84.50 in Jefferson County, and $89 in Madison County. Both parties must present a government-issued photo ID at the time of notarization.
Age eligibility requirements are 18 years or older without consent, or 16 to 17 years with notarized parental consent. Individuals under 16 are not permitted to marry. No blood test is required, and no witnesses are mandated; the notarized form itself satisfies the requirement. Residency within Alabama is not required. Individuals seeking to marry in Alabama should confirm all current requirements and procedures with the county probate court clerk in the county where they plan to record, as well as consult the state's official statutes.
| Requirement | Alabama |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$73-$89 recording fee; NO license issued) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | n/a — no license; notarized marriage certificate must be recorded within 30 days of signing |
| ID required | government photo ID for both parties |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with notarized parental consent; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no (notarized form; solemnization not required) |
| Online option | no — paper notarized marriage certificate delivered to a probate court |
| Where to apply | county probate court (records the certificate) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Confirm locally. Requirements come from public-record state law and can change. Verify with the issuing county clerk or state .gov. Informational only — not legal advice.
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