Search Alabama Marriage License Records
Alabama marriage license records are kept by county Probate Courts and the state health department. Since 2019, Alabama officially calls these marriage certificates, but they serve the same purpose as marriage licenses in other states. There is no ceremony, no officiant, and no waiting period. Both parties sign the form, get it notarized, and file it with any Probate Court within 30 days. The state has 67 counties, and each one records marriage licenses. Records are public. Anyone can request copies. This guide shows you how to search for and get Alabama marriage license records.
Alabama Marriage Records Quick Facts
What Do Alabama Marriage Licenses Show?
An Alabama marriage license is a legal record of a marriage. It contains facts about both spouses and the date the marriage took effect. The document serves as proof that a valid marriage exists in Alabama.
The state form captures all key details. Both parties must complete their sections fully. The Probate Court records the form and it becomes an official record. You can get certified copies from the county or state after filing.
Alabama marriage licenses contain the following facts:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date of birth for each party
- Social Security numbers (kept confidential)
- Current addresses for both spouses
- Place of birth for each party
- Number of previous marriages
- Date of signatures making the marriage valid
The form also asks about parents. This includes names and birthplaces. These details help with genealogy research. After the Probate Court records the form, it becomes part of the public record in Alabama.
How Alabama's Marriage System Works
Alabama changed its marriage system on August 29, 2019. The state passed Act 2019-340. This law ended the old license system. Now couples use a contract-style form. No judge or clergy is needed. No ceremony is required.
The process is simple. First, download the official form from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. The form must be typed. Handwritten forms are not accepted. Both people fill out their sections. Then both must sign the form in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries do not work for this form.
After signing, file the form with any Probate Court in Alabama. You have 30 days from the date of the second signature. The marriage is valid on that signature date, not the filing date. Pay the recording fee. The clerk records the form. You can then get certified copies.
This system removes many old rules. There is no blood test in Alabama. There is no waiting period before you marry. You do not need witnesses. You can file in any county, not just where you live. The form is the marriage itself. Filing makes it official and creates the public record.
Note: The 30-day deadline is strict. If you miss it, the marriage may not be valid. File on time to avoid problems.
Alabama Marriage License Fees
Fees vary by county. Each Probate Court sets its own recording fee. Most counties charge between $70 and $85. Some charge more. The fee includes state-mandated amounts plus local court costs.
Every fee includes $60 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. This is set by Alabama Code § 30-6-11. The rest covers the base recording fee and court costs. Calhoun County has the highest fee at $104. Clarke County and Bullock County have the lowest at $70.
For copies of existing records, the state charges $15 for a search plus the first copy. Each extra copy in the same order costs $6. Authenticated copies for international use cost $25. County Probate Courts often charge less for local copies.
Payment methods differ by county. Some take cash only. Others accept cards but add a fee. Check with the specific Probate Court before you go. Bring the right payment to avoid delays.
Who Can Access Alabama Marriage Records?
Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be related to the couple. You do not need to give a reason. The law says these records are open.
Alabama Code § 22-9A-21 makes marriage licenses unrestricted public records. There is no waiting period. Records are available right after filing. This differs from birth records, which have access limits. Marriage records do not have those limits in Alabama.
You can request records in person, by mail, or online. The state uses VitalChek for online orders. County Probate Courts handle in-person and mail requests. Third-party services can also help you find records, though they charge extra fees.
Genealogy researchers often use marriage records. The records show family connections and dates. Older records may be on microfilm at county offices or state archives. Some counties have records going back to the 1800s.
Alabama Marriage License Laws
Alabama Code § 30-1-9.1 is the main law. It sets out the current system. The law says both parties must complete and sign the form. Both signatures need notarization. The form must be recorded within 30 days.
Age rules come from other statutes. Section 30-1-4 sets the minimum age at 16. Section 30-1-5 requires parental consent for those aged 16 or 17. A parent must sign a notarized affidavit. No one under 16 can marry in Alabama.
Section 30-1-12 requires Probate Judges to keep marriage registers. They must forward recorded forms to the state by the 5th of each month. The state maintains a central database called ViSION. This backs up county records.
Common-law marriage ended in Alabama on January 1, 2017. Section 30-1-20 abolished it. Only couples who established common-law marriages before that date are recognized. New common-law marriages are not valid in Alabama.
After divorce, there is a 60-day waiting period before you can remarry. This is state law. Colbert County enforces 61 days. Check if you are recently divorced.
Can You Search Alabama Records Online?
Yes, but options vary. The state offers online ordering for existing records. Some counties have searchable databases. Others have no online access at all. It depends on where the marriage was recorded.
VitalChek is the state's online partner. You can order certified copies at vitalchek.com. This works for records from 1936 to present. You need names, dates, and the county. Service fees apply on top of state fees. Phone orders are also available at 1-888-279-9888.
Mobile County and Jefferson County use Landmark WEB. This is a searchable database with millions of records. Mobile has marriage indexes from 1813. Jefferson has records from 1987. Both charge per page for document images.
Many counties use Ingenuity for online services. This system is at ingprobate.com. It handles tag renewals and some record requests. About 30 counties use this platform. Search features vary by county.
For older records before 1936, you must contact the county directly. The state does not have those. Counties like Mobile, Bibb, and Greene have records from the 1800s. Some are digitized. Many are still on paper or microfilm.
County Probate Courts in Alabama
All 67 counties have a Probate Court. This office handles marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees the office. Staff record new marriages and issue copies of old ones.
Probate Courts also handle other matters. They do wills and estates. They issue driver licenses in some counties. They manage property records. Marriage is just one part of what they do. Hours and services vary by county.
You can file your marriage form in any county. It does not matter where you live. Many couples file where the form is convenient. Some pick a county with lower fees. Others choose based on office hours. The choice is yours in Alabama.
One county does not record marriages at all. Pike County opted out. Residents there must file in nearby counties like Crenshaw, Bullock, or Coffee. Check before you travel to any county office.
Browse Alabama Marriage Records by County
Each county Probate Court keeps its own marriage records. Select a county below to find contact details, fees, and local resources for marriage licenses in Alabama.
Alabama Cities for Marriage Records
Cities do not handle marriage records in Alabama. The county Probate Court does. But if you live in a major city, you may want to know which court serves your area. Select a city below to find where to file or get records.
Start Your Search
Use our search tool to find marriage records in Alabama. You can search county Probate Court records and state vital records databases.