Search Alabama Marriage Records
Alabama marriage records are public documents kept by county Probate Courts and the Alabama Department of Public Health. In 2019, Alabama became the only state to abolish marriage licenses. Couples now file a marriage certificate form with the Probate Court. No ceremony is needed. No officiant is required. The state health agency stores marriage records from 1936 to the present. Each of the 67 county Probate Courts keeps its own original records. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person.
Alabama Marriage Records Quick Facts
How Alabama Marriage Works
Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019. This was a big shift. The state passed Act 2019-340 on August 29, 2019. This law ended the old marriage license system. Alabama is now the only state with this type of marriage process. No other state has done this.
Under the new law, you do not need a marriage license. You do not need a wedding ceremony. You do not need an officiant to marry you. Marriage in Alabama is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all that is needed to be legally married in Alabama.
The form is called the Alabama Marriage Certificate. Both parties must sign it. An Alabama notary public must witness the signatures. You have 30 days to file the form with any county Probate Court. The marriage date is the date of the last signature. Once filed, you are legally married in Alabama.
Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, you must meet these rules to marry in Alabama:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old
- Persons aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
- Both parties must have mental capacity to consent
- Neither party can be married to someone else
- The parties cannot be related by blood
There is no residency rule. You can live in any state. There is no blood test. There is no waiting period. You can file the same day you sign. Alabama also ended common law marriage on January 1, 2017. You can only get married through the certificate process now.
Where to Find Alabama Marriage Records
There are two main places to get marriage records in Alabama. The state agency and the county courts both have records. Which one you use depends on when the marriage took place and what type of copy you need.
The Alabama Department of Public Health keeps marriage records from August 1936 to today. The Center for Health Statistics stores these records. You can request copies by mail, online, or in person at a county health office. The state charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. The state can issue a certified copy that proves the marriage took place.
County Probate Courts keep the original marriage records. All 67 counties have a Probate Court. The Probate Judge runs this office. When you file your marriage certificate form, it stays at the county level. The county sends a copy to the state. If you need records from before 1936, you must go to the county. Historical records may be at the county archives.
Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are unrestricted public records. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to show a reason. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. The records are open to all.
How to Get Married in Alabama
Getting married in Alabama is simple. Follow these steps to complete the process. You can do this in just one day if you want.
First, get the marriage certificate form. You can download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two versions. One is for adults age 18 and over. The other is for minors age 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the right form for your case. Fill it out with both names, dates of birth, and other facts.
Next, both parties sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The marriage date will be the date of the last signature. Make sure to sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries will not work. The notary must witness both signatures. Some Probate Courts have a notary on staff who can help.
Then, take the signed form to any county Probate Court. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. The Probate Court will record the form and give you a receipt. Most counties charge $70 to $90 for the recording fee. The exact cost varies by county. After filing, you are legally married.
You can have a wedding ceremony if you want. But it is not required. Many couples still have a ceremony with friends and family. A pastor, judge, or friend can lead the ceremony. But the ceremony has no legal effect. Only filing the form makes you married in Alabama.
How to Search Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records in Alabama in several ways. Online access is the fastest for many people. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies right away. Both options are open to anyone.
VitalChek is the state's online partner for vital records. You can order marriage certificates at vitalchek.com. The state fee is $15. VitalChek adds its own service fee. Total cost is about $30. Orders ship in 3 to 5 business days. This is the fastest way to get a state-issued copy from home.
To search marriage records, you need:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of the marriage
- County where the marriage was filed
You can also request records by mail. Send your request to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics at P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include a check or money order for $15 payable to ADPH. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions.
For county records, visit the Probate Court in the county where the marriage was filed. Staff can search the records and make copies. County copy fees are usually $3 to $5 per page. Hours vary by county. Some counties have online search tools. Check the county website first.
Alabama Marriage Record Fees
Fees vary based on where you get the record and what type you need. Here is a breakdown of costs in Alabama.
The state agency charges these fees for marriage records:
- Search plus one certified copy: $15.00
- Each extra copy same order: $6.00
- Rush handling: add $15.00
- VitalChek service fee: about $15.00
County Probate Courts charge these fees to record a new marriage:
- Lowest fee: $70 (Butler, Crenshaw, Tuscaloosa counties)
- Most common fee: $70 to $80
- Highest fee: $104 (Calhoun County)
- Certified copy: $3 to $5 per page
If you need your marriage certificate for use in another country, you may need an apostille. The Alabama Secretary of State handles this. The fee is $5 per document. Visit sos.alabama.gov to learn more about apostille services.
Historical Marriage Records
Alabama has marriage records going back to the early 1800s. The oldest records are at the county level. What the record contains depends on when it was created.
Records from before 1888 show basic facts. These include the names of the bride and groom. They list the bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the officiant who led the ceremony. They show the license bond amount and marriage date. These old records can be hard to read. Many are handwritten in old script.
Starting in 1910, Alabama required more details. Records began to include the names of parents. They added physical descriptions of both parties. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages appeared on forms. These records give family history researchers more to work with.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm copies of many old records. County archives may have local records too. FamilySearch and Ancestry have some Alabama marriage indexes online. These can help you find the record before you request a copy.
Legal Help for Marriage in Alabama
Most people can complete the marriage process without a lawyer. The forms are simple. The steps are clear. But some cases need legal help. Here are resources that may be useful.
The Alabama Probate Judges Association at alpja.org has a map of all 67 county Probate Courts. You can find contact info and websites for each court. This is a good starting point to find the office you need.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free information on family law topics. The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. Legal Services Alabama at (866) 456-4995 helps low-income residents with legal issues.
Browse Alabama Marriage Records by County
Each county in Alabama has a Probate Court that handles marriage certificates. Pick a county below to find contact info and local resources for that area.
Marriage Records in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of major cities file marriage certificates at their county Probate Court. Pick a city below to learn about marriage records in that area.