Franklin Dean
Alabama has one of the simplest marriage processes in the country. As of August 29, 2019, couples no longer need to apply for a marriage license at a courthouse. Instead, they can download a marriage certificate form online, have it notarized, and send it to a probate court in Alabama. The date the forms are signed and notarized is considered the legal marriage date. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but it is not required for a recognized marriage in Alabama.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage license requirement | No longer required as of August 29, 2019 |
| Marriage certificate requirement | Yes |
| Marriage certificate form availability | Online at the Alabama Department of Public Health's website |
| Marriage certificate form submission | Must be printed, notarized, and mailed to a probate court in Alabama |
| Submission deadline | Submit the form within 30 days of the wedding |
| Cost | Notary fees might be around $10; probate courts in Alabama also charge a variable fee to record a marriage |
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Marriage certificate form
Alabama does not require couples to go to a courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Instead, couples can download the Alabama Marriage Certificate form, which represents a contractual agreement between the parties to the marriage. The form is available on the Alabama Department of Health website.
The form must be completed by both parties and then taken to a notary to witness signatures. The notary must be authorized under Alabama state law. A notary from another state is not permitted. Most banks offer a notary service, as do public libraries, UPS stores, AAA, and some pharmacies. The completed form must be typewritten—handwritten forms are not accepted in Madison County to ensure that all information is legible.
Once the form has been notarized, it must be delivered to the probate court for recording, along with a filing fee. This can be done by mail or in person. The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of the spouses.
Marriage certificates can be requested by anyone who can provide enough information to search for the record and pay the appropriate fee. Errors on a marriage certificate must be corrected through the Alabama county probate court that issued the marriage license or recorded the certificate.
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Notarization
Alabama is one of the few states that doesn't require couples to appear in person at a courthouse or government building to obtain a marriage license. Instead, couples can simply download the marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and submit it to a probate court in Alabama. The form must be typewritten and cannot be handwritten to ensure that all information is legible.
The couple fills out the form together but does not sign it until they are in front of the notary, who will witness the signatures. The notary will then have the couple confirm the information on the form and sign it. The date the form is signed and notarized is considered the couple's legal marriage date.
Most banks offer notary services, and notaries can also be found at public libraries, UPS stores, AAA, and some pharmacies. Couples can also hire a notary to come to their venue to notarize the marriage certificate before or after the ceremony.
After the form has been notarized, it must be submitted within 30 days, along with a fee. The marriage is then legally recognized. It is important to note that the elimination of marriage licenses in Alabama does not affect other aspects of marriage, including divorce, spousal support, child support, and child custody.
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Probate court
Alabama has one of the easiest marriage processes in the country. It is one of the few states that doesn't require couples to appear in person at a courthouse or government building to obtain a marriage license.
Instead, couples can simply download a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and send it to a probate court in Alabama. This form represents a contractual agreement between the two parties to the marriage. The form must be typewritten, and the couple must sign it in front of a notary. The date the form is signed and notarized is considered the legal marriage date.
Once the form has been properly completed and recorded by the probate court, the marriage is valid. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but it is not required for the marriage to be legally recognized in Alabama.
The process of recording the marriage certificate with the probate court typically involves submitting the completed form and paying the associated fees, which vary depending on the county. For example, in Mobile County, the fee to record the marriage certificate form is $73, with additional certified copies available for $3 each.
It is recommended to start the process at least 30 days before the desired wedding date to ensure that all the necessary steps are completed on time.
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Marriage license
Alabama does not require couples to go to a courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Instead, couples can download the marriage certificate form online, have it notarized, and send it to a probate court in Alabama. The form can also be obtained from any county health department in Alabama.
The marriage certificate form must be completed and recorded for the marriage to be valid. The form is available on the Alabama Department of Health website and must be typewritten. Once the form is completed, it must be taken to a notary public to witness the signatures. The notary must be authorized under the laws of the State of Alabama. The form should be printed on 8.5" x 11" white paper, single-sided, and with no white-out or corrective marks. The form should be submitted within 30 days of the last notarized signature.
The completed and notarized form must then be delivered to the probate court for recording, along with a filing fee. The fee varies depending on the court but is $89.00 in Madison County. The effective legal date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the spouses' signatures. Couples can celebrate their marriage whenever they want, and a ceremony is not required.
If corrections are required to the marriage certificate, they must be made through the Alabama county probate court that issued the marriage license or recorded the certificate. Certified copies of marriage licenses or certificates can be ordered from the probate court for a fee.
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Wedding ceremony
Alabama has some unique wedding laws that differ from those of many other states. The state makes it relatively easy to get married, and the wedding process is highly customizable.
Firstly, there is no requirement to go to a courthouse or government building to obtain a marriage license. Instead, couples can simply download a marriage certificate form, which both parties must complete and sign in front of a notary. This form must then be sent to a probate court in Alabama. The date the forms are signed and notarized is the couple's legal marriage date. There is no waiting period for marriage licenses in Alabama, and the ceremony can take place as soon as the license is received.
Secondly, there are no rules regarding the officiant of a wedding ceremony. The state does not require the registration of a minister, nor are there any stipulations regarding the minister's residency, religious affiliation, or age. This means that anyone, ordained or not, can perform a wedding ceremony in Alabama. However, some counties may ask for proof of ordination and a Letter of Good Standing. It is recommended that ministers keep personal records of all ceremonies they perform.
Thirdly, a wedding ceremony is not required for a legal marriage in Alabama. The only requirement is the completion and notarization of the marriage certificate form. However, couples who wish to have a traditional wedding ceremony can still do so. They can choose to have someone ordained by a church lead the ceremony or opt for a professional wedding officiant.
If a couple chooses to have a wedding ceremony, the officiant should discuss with them their preferences for the ceremony, including any readings, vows, or traditions they wish to include. The officiant should then prepare a ceremony script that aligns with the couple's wishes and conduct the ceremony on the wedding day, ensuring it reflects the couple's personalities and love story. After the ceremony, the officiant and the couple must sign the marriage license and return it to the county clerk's office within 30 days.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Alabama is one of the few states that doesn't require you to appear in person at a courthouse or government building to get your marriage license.
You need to download a marriage certificate form, get it notarized, and send it to a probate court in Alabama.
The form is available on the Alabama Department of Public Health's website.
Yes, you need to pay a fee to the probate court to record your marriage. The fee amount may vary.
The date the forms are signed and notarized is considered the legal marriage date.
