Alabama Marriage Laws

Alabama does not require a marriage license, a blood test, or a ceremony performed by a judge or clergy member. Since 2019, couples complete and file their own marriage certificate, and the marriage is legally valid from the date both parties sign it.

How to Get Married in Alabama

Under Ala. Code § 30-1-9.1, Alabama abolished the traditional marriage license and the requirement of a ceremony to solemnize a marriage. Instead, both parties complete a marriage certificate with notarized affidavits and identifying information, sign it, and file it with the probate judge's office within 30 days of the last signature. The marriage is valid as of the date both parties signed it, not the date it was filed, as long as the filing happens within that 30-day window. A ceremony is still allowed, but it has no legal effect. Alabama also does not require a blood test, a requirement most states dropped decades ago.

Who Can Get Married in Alabama

Under § 30-1-4, a person under 16 cannot marry in Alabama under any circumstances. Under § 30-1-5, a 16 or 17 year old who has never been married needs the consent of a parent or guardian, given by a notarized affidavit filed with the probate court. Alabama's statutes do not state a residency requirement for getting married in the state, so an out-of-state couple can generally marry in Alabama the same way a resident couple can.

Common Law Marriage in Alabama

Alabama no longer allows new common law marriages to form. For the details on how that changed and what it means if you believe you have one from before the change, see our guide to common law marriage in Alabama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Alabama require a marriage license?

No. Alabama eliminated the traditional marriage license in 2019. Couples now complete and file a marriage certificate themselves under Ala. Code § 30-1-9.1.

Do you need a ceremony to get married in Alabama?

No. Alabama Code § 30-1-9.1(g) specifically abolishes the requirement of a ceremony to solemnize a marriage. A couple can still have one, but it has no legal effect on the marriage itself.

Does Alabama require a blood test to get married?

No. Alabama does not have a blood test requirement for marriage.

What is the minimum age to get married in Alabama?

No one under 16 can marry in Alabama. A 16 or 17 year old who has never been married needs notarized parental or guardian consent filed with the probate court.

Do you have to be an Alabama resident to get married in the state?

Alabama's marriage statutes do not state a residency requirement, so a couple from out of state can generally marry in Alabama the same way an Alabama couple can.

Related reading: Guide to Common Law Marriage in Alabama | Important Prenuptial Agreement Questions