Alabama Marriage Records

Alabama began centralized statewide registration of marriages in August 1936, although most counties kept records of marriages occurring within their jurisdiction as early as 1799. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alabama has a marriage rate of 6.9 marriages per 1,000 residents. Its rate is 10% above the national average of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Alabama's marriage records are the official state documents that verify a legal union between two people within Alabama. As of August 2019, Alabama no longer issues the traditional "marriage license". Before this date, the marriage license was the official permission, issued by a county probate court, permitting two people to legally marry. Usually, it was issued before the wedding and contained information on the couple, such as their names, date of birth, current addresses, license number, issue date, and license expiry date.

Currently, instead of marriage licenses, couples may complete and notarize the official Alabama Marriage Certificate form and deliver it to the county probate court for recording to make their marriage legal. Your marriage is legal once the fully completed, signed, and notarized form has been recorded by the probate court.

After it is recorded, the marriage certificate is issued and becomes part of the couple's permanent legal records. Alabama does not require a formal wedding ceremony or witnesses for the marriage to be deemed legal. Once the form is completed, notarized, and recorded, the marriage becomes legal.

Marriage certificates contain information about the couple, including their full names, date of birth, county and location of marriage, parents' information, officiant details, registration number, and the signature and seal of the issuing office.

In Alabama, marriage records issued may be certified or uncertified. The certified marriage records are the official, stamped copies valid for official purposes. The uncertified copies of marriage records, also called informational copies, contain the information on certified marriage records but are printed on plain paper. Informational copies of marriage records are not valid for legal transactions. Instead, they are ideal for genealogical research or personal reference.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Alabama?

You can look up marriage records in Alabama through the following sources:

• The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Center for Health Statistics issued certified copies of marriage certificates from August 1936 to the present.
• For unions before August 1936, contact the county probate court where the license was issued.

You may order certified copies of marriage records by mail, online, or in person. Online access to marriage records is provided by an approved third-party platform, while in-person requests for the document are at any county health department within Alabama.

To order marriage records by mail, download and complete the marriage section Mail-in Application. Mail the application form, fees, and supporting documents to:

For certified copies of marriage certificates consummated before August 1936, you may contact the probate court in the county where the license was issued. Obtain the request form from the clerk of the probate court's office or online from their websites. You can mail the completed forms or drop them off at the county probate clerk's office.

Generally, all requests for certified marriage records must include the following:

• The couple's full name
• Date and county of marriage
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Alabama?

Yes. Marriage records in Alabama are considered public records. Under the Alabama Code, marriage records are nonrestricted public records, and any person may obtain copies of the records for any purpose. Unlike states that impose restrictions on marriage records, in Alabama, there are no waiting period restrictions or proof of relationship requirements to inspect, view, or obtain copies of certified marriage records.

How Much Do Alabama Marriage Records Cost?

Marriage certificates requested at the Alabama Center for Health Statistics and the county health departments cost $15. Additional copies of the marriage record ordered with the original copy cost $6 each. If you want the document faster, you may pay an additional $15 to expedite the request.

The standard time the Alabama Center for Health Statistics takes to process mail requests for marriage records is around 7 to 10 days, while in-person requests at the county health department may be processed the same day if you apply before 4 p.m.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Alabama?

In Alabama, marriage certificates are expressly classified as "nonrestricted public records", meaning anyone can request and obtain a certified copy for any reason after paying the stipulated fee. Therefore, the state has no statutory provision that creates a confidential marriage record category or authorizes individuals to seal their marriage records.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Alabama Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of your Alabama marriage record can be crucial to ensuring the document you hold is valid for legal transactions in the state and beyond. Generally, various situations require you to verify that your marriage license is authentic. You may need to demonstrate that your marriage license is genuine for immigration or travel purposes, claiming your inheritance, obtaining tax and insurance benefits, filing for divorce, or changing your name.

To authenticate your marriage record, visit the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, your county probate court, or your local county health department. Usually, a genuine certified copy of a marriage record will display key features to validate its authenticity and prevent fraud. These features include the certificate number, signature of the issuing officer, and an embossed seal of the issuing authority.

Can I Find Alabama Marriage Records Online for Free?

Generally, certified copies of Alabama marriage records ordered from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics come with a fee. However, there are other non-government sources where you may access Alabama marriage records for free.

FamilySearch.org provides online access to statewide name indexes and images of Alabama marriages from 1816 - 1957, accessible for free once you register. The site also provides online access to indexed entries and digitized images for Alabama county-level marriage records from 1771 to 1992.

Although not a genealogy website, the Alabama Department of Archives and History maintains indexes to vital records, including marriages, on microfilm. The database provides access to statewide marriage indexes in Alabama from 1936 through 1992.

Trusted third-party websites, such as PublicRecords.us, aggregate public records from multiple government resources and provide access to a searchable database to view and obtain copies of public records, including Alabama marriage records.

What Is Required to Get an Alabama Marriage License?

While Alabama no longer issues "marriage licenses", there are still requirements couples must meet to get legally married in the state. They include:

• Both parties must be 18 years or older
• Persons between 16 and 18 may get married with written parental consent
• Present two valid forms of government-issued ID
• If either party was previously married, include a death certificate or divorce decree with your application
• The fees

The fees for the Alabama Marriage Certificate Form vary by county. Usually around $70 - $90. There is no waiting period in Alabama. Your marriage becomes valid on the date the second spouse signs the marriage application form in the presence of the notary. However, this must happen within 30 days of obtaining the form.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Alabama?

Yes. You can amend your marriage certificate in Alabama to correct errors or update certain information. Generally, you may correct the following errors:

• Spelling mistakes in names
• Incorrect dates, such as the date of birth or the marriage date
• Wrong addresses or place of birth
• Missing or incorrect parental information

Amending an Alabama Marriage License

Alabama does not issue marriage licenses. The state has replaced this with a self-completed and notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form. Therefore, the likelihood it contains errors is limited as before you submit the form, you notarized it, attesting to the accuracy of the information you and your spouse inputted on the form. However, if you notice an error on the form, download a fresh Alabama Marriage Certificate form. Fill out the form with accurate information. Notarize and submit the form.

Amending an Alabama Marriage Certificate

After receiving your marriage certificate, if you notice an error on the document, you may request the "Amendment to Alabama Marriage Certificate and Decree of Correction" form from the probate court. Some counties have the form on their website.

Both spouses may complete the amendment form detailing the errors and the correct information. Sign the amendment form in the presence of an Alabama notary public. Submit the amendment form to the probate court where the original certificate was filed. Be prepared to pay an amendment fee, which is the same cost as when you obtained the Alabama Marriage Certificate form.