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Hey there, beautiful couples! As an Alabama wedding photographer who’s had the absolute joy of capturing love stories across our gorgeous state for the past six years, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked about the marriage license process. And honestly? I totally get why couples are confused—Alabama actually changed things up a few years back, and it’s not quite what you might expect!

So grab a sweet tea (or your favorite beverage), get cozy, and let me walk you through everything you need to know about making your Alabama love story official. Trust me, it’s simpler than you think, and I’m here to help you navigate it all with confidence.

The Big News: Alabama Doesn’t Actually Require Marriage Licenses Anymore!

Here’s something that surprises almost every couple I work with: Alabama doesn’t issue traditional marriage licenses anymore! I know, I know—it sounds crazy, right? Back in 2019, Alabama passed Act 2019-340, which completely changed how couples get married in our state.

Instead of going through the whole license application process, Alabama now uses a marriage certificate system. It’s honestly so much more straightforward than the old way, and once you understand the process, you’ll probably love how simple it is.

The beauty of this system is that it cuts out a lot of the bureaucratic hoops couples used to have to jump through. No more waiting periods, no more racing against expiration dates—just a clean, simple process that gets you legally married without all the fuss.

What You’ll Need: The Essentials for Your Alabama Marriage Certificate

Let me break down exactly what you and your fiancé will need to gather before you start the process. As someone who’s deeply organized (ask any of my couples—I’m always making sure we have backup plans for our backup plans!), I want you to feel completely prepared.

Required Documents and Information

Both you and your partner will need to provide:

• Valid photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Your complete legal names (exactly as they appear on your ID)
• Social Security numbers
• Birth dates and places of birth
• Current addresses
• Information about any previous marriages (including divorce dates if applicable)

Special Considerations for Different Situations

If you’re under 18: Alabama allows marriage at 16 or 17 years old, but you’ll need parental or legal guardian consent. The minimum age is 16—no exceptions.

If you’re from out of state: Good news! You don’t have to be Alabama residents to get married here. Our beautiful state welcomes couples from anywhere to tie the knot and make it official with an Alabama marriage certificate.

If you’ve been divorced: You’ll need to provide the date your divorce was finalized. There’s no waiting period after divorce in Alabama, so you’re free to remarry as soon as your divorce is legally complete.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete Your Alabama Marriage Certificate

Okay, here’s where I walk you through the actual process. I promise it’s not as intimidating as it might sound—think of it more like filling out a really important form that happens to make your love official!

Step 1: Visit the Alabama Department of Public Health Website

Head over to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s vital records website. This is where you’ll find the official Alabama Certificate of Marriage form (form ADPH-HS50). The website is user-friendly, and the form is pretty straightforward.

Step 2: Complete the Marriage Certificate Form Together

This is actually kind of sweet—you and your partner will fill out the form together, providing all the information I mentioned earlier. Take your time with this part. Double-check everything, especially names and dates, because errors can be a real headache to fix later.

The form will ask for basic information about both of you, your parents, and details about where and when you’re getting married. If you’re having a ceremony, you can include those details. If you’re keeping it simple and just making it legal, that works too!

Step 3: Sign Before a Notary Public

Here’s the part that trips up some couples: both of you need to sign the completed form in front of a notary public. You can find notaries at banks, law offices, shipping stores like UPS, and many other places. Some charge a small fee (usually around $5-10), but many banks offer free notary services if you’re a customer.

Important note: Some probate courts don’t offer notary services for marriage certificates, so don’t count on getting it notarized at the courthouse. Plan ahead and get it notarized elsewhere first.

Step 4: Submit to Any Alabama Probate Court

Once your form is completed, signed, and notarized, you’ll take it to any Alabama probate court for recording. You have 30 days from the date of the last signature to submit it—but honestly, I’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later. Why add that stress to your wedding planning?

Understanding the Costs and Timeline

Let’s talk money and timing, because I know you’re probably wondering about both!

The Cost

The recording fee varies slightly by county, but it’s typically around $75. Some counties might charge a little more or less, so it’s worth calling ahead to confirm the exact amount. Compared to what couples used to spend on marriage licenses, this is pretty reasonable.

The Timeline

Remember, you have 30 days from the last signature date to submit your certificate to the probate court. Once it’s recorded, congratulations—you’re officially married! There’s no waiting period, and your marriage is legally recognized immediately upon recording.

What About Wedding Ceremonies? (A Wedding Photographer’s Perspective)

Here’s something I absolutely love about Alabama’s current system: a ceremony is completely optional. Now, as someone who makes her living capturing the magic of wedding celebrations, you might think I’d be bummed about this. But honestly? It just makes the whole process more flexible and personal for couples.

You Can Still Have the Wedding of Your Dreams

Whether you want a big celebration with 200 of your closest friends and family, an intimate gathering in your backyard, or just the two of you exchanging vows on a gorgeous Alabama beach, you can absolutely still have a ceremony. The marriage certificate system just means you’re not legally required to have an officiant or witnesses if you don’t want them.

What This Means for Your Wedding Planning

If you’re planning a traditional ceremony, you can still include all the elements you love—an officiant, vows, rings, the whole beautiful experience. The difference is that your legal marriage happens when you submit that certificate to the probate court, not during the ceremony itself.

This actually takes some pressure off your wedding day! No more worrying about whether the officiant remembered to sign the license, or whether you’ll remember to mail it in afterward. Your legal stuff is handled, and your ceremony gets to be pure celebration.

Common Questions I Get from My Couples

After six years of photographing Alabama weddings and helping couples navigate this process, I’ve heard just about every question you can imagine. Let me share the most common ones:

“Do we need witnesses?”

Nope! Unlike the old system, Alabama’s marriage certificate process doesn’t require witnesses. If you want them there for sentimental reasons (and trust me, I love capturing those sweet witness moments), go for it. But legally, you don’t need them.

“What if we make a mistake on the form?”

Take a deep breath—mistakes happen! If you catch an error before submitting to the probate court, you can complete a new form. If you’ve already submitted it and the error gets recorded, you’ll need to work with the probate court to correct it. This is why I always tell my couples to double and triple-check everything before signing.

“Can we get married anywhere in Alabama?”

Your marriage certificate gets recorded at a probate court, but that doesn’t mean you have to have your ceremony there. You can get married anywhere in Alabama—on the beach in Gulf Shores, in a Birmingham ballroom, in your grandmother’s backyard, or at any of the gorgeous venues across our state.

“What if we’re from out of state?”

Alabama welcomes couples from anywhere! You don’t have to be residents. Just follow the same process, and you’ll have a valid Alabama marriage certificate that’s recognized everywhere.

Why I Love Alabama’s Marriage Certificate System

As someone who’s deeply nostalgic and sentimental about love stories, I have to say I’ve grown to really appreciate Alabama’s approach to marriage certificates. Here’s why:

It puts the focus back on what really matters—your commitment to each other. There’s less bureaucracy, fewer hoops to jump through, and more flexibility for couples to create the experience that feels right for them.

I’ve photographed elopements where couples completed their certificate process quietly and then celebrated with just the two of them watching the sunset over Alabama’s gorgeous landscape. I’ve also captured big, traditional weddings where the legal stuff was already handled, so the ceremony could be pure joy and celebration.

Both approaches are beautiful, and both result in the same thing: two people who love each other making it official in the Heart of Dixie.

Tips from Your Alabama Wedding Photographer

Since I’ve been alongside so many couples through this process, let me share some practical tips that’ll make everything smoother:

Plan Ahead, But Don’t Stress

Give yourself plenty of time to complete the certificate process, but don’t let it overwhelm your wedding planning. It’s honestly one of the easier items on your wedding to-do list.

Keep Copies of Everything

Make copies of your completed certificate before submitting it, and keep a copy of your receipt from the probate court. Trust me on this one—having documentation will save you headaches if you ever need proof of filing.

Consider the Timing

If you’re having a traditional ceremony, you might want to complete the certificate process beforehand so you can focus on enjoying your wedding day. Or, if you prefer, you can handle it shortly after your ceremony. Either way works perfectly.

Choose Your County Strategically

Since you can submit to any Alabama probate court, consider factors like location, hours, and convenience. Some couples choose the county where they’re getting married, others prefer their home county, and some just pick the most convenient option.

Making Your Alabama Love Story Official

At the end of the day, what I love most about photographing weddings is capturing that moment when two people choose each other, officially and completely. Alabama’s marriage certificate process might be different from what you expected, but it’s designed to make that choice as straightforward as possible.

Whether you’re planning an elaborate celebration or keeping things simple, whether you’re Alabama natives or falling in love with our state for the first time, the process of making your love official should feel joyful, not stressful.

As someone who gets to witness love stories for a living—and who deeply feels the beauty of the human experience—I can tell you that the paperwork is just the beginning. The real magic happens in all the moments that follow: the quiet morning conversations, the adventures you’ll take together, the way you’ll support each other through life’s ups and downs.

But getting that official part right? That’s important too, and now you know exactly how to do it in Alabama.

Ready to Capture Your Alabama Love Story?

If you’re planning your Alabama wedding and looking for a photographer who understands both the heart and the logistics of getting married in our beautiful state, I’d love to hear from you! As an Alabama wedding photographer who’s been capturing love stories across the Southeast for six years, I know all the most gorgeous locations, the sweetest venues, and yes—even the ins and outs of marriage certificates.

I’m deeply passionate about telling authentic love stories, and there’s nothing I love more than helping couples create and capture memories that’ll make them weepy with joy (in the best way) for decades to come.

Whether you’re drawn to Alabama’s stunning Gulf Coast, our rolling hills and mountains, our charming historic towns, or our vibrant cities, let’s talk about how we can document your love story in this place we call home.

Ready to start planning your dream Alabama wedding photography experience? I’d love to chat with you about your vision, your story, and how we can create something absolutely beautiful together. Reach out today, and let’s start planning something magical!

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Planning an Alabama wedding? Pin this guide for easy reference, and don’t forget to share it with other couples who might be navigating the marriage certificate process.

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