What Should You Know about Alabama Marriage Laws?

Tradition is such a big thing in Alabama marriages. Did you know that in more than 50% of Alabama weddings, the bride’s family foots the bill? In addition to most commonly holding traditional church weddings, Alabama brides often follow the Southern tradition of having large wedding parties rather than just having a few close friends and relatives.

Requirements

You will have to be of legal age to be married for those who want to get married. You need to have consent from the parents to allow the marriage, most especially you are under 18.

You will also need a legal Driver’s License or Birth Certificate and a social security number. You do not really need to be a resident of Alabama. A valid common law marriage also exists. You may also be required to show that you are legally competent to enter into the marriage and that the marriage is voluntary and not under duress or undue influence.

Alabama Marriage Laws

While you might be more focused on the fun parts of planning a wedding, like choosing your first dance song and tasting the wedding cake, these aren’t the only things you need to get done. If you are actually getting married, expect that there is a lot of paperwork involved.

In Alabama, the rules changed as of August 29, 2019. In alignment with the Alabama Department of Public Health’s issued guidance, there is no need for couples to submit a marriage license application or pick up the marriage license before a ceremony. You only need to print out a certified copy of the Alabama marriage certificate from the Alabama Department of Public Health website, which has instructions and answers to some frequently asked questions about marriage law. 

Before, you had to apply for a marriage license during your planning process by obtaining the necessary wedding permits. In fact, marriage licenses in the State of Alabama are issued at the state level. All you have to do is apply for a marriage license in any county. It doesn’t really matter where you reside or the location of your wedding.

To obtain a marriage license, you will require the following; both parties present to apply in person, a valid form of identification, and a social security card. The probate office issues a marriage license once you submit the application and all of the necessary documents.

Additionally, unless one of the marriage parties had been divorced for less than 60 days, there is no waiting period to obtain the marriage license in Alabama. A marriage license in Alabama is valid for one month and must be used within 30 days of its issued date.

Under the law updated August 29, 2019, a wedding ceremony is optional. The marriage is valid or legal when the properly completed and signed marriage certificate form is recorded by the probate court. The form must deliver to the probate office within 30 days of the latter of the dates signed by the new spouses.

The couple needs to submit a record of an Alabama marriage certificate form in the probate office in Alabama. The Probate court sets its fees for recording documents.

How Long You Have to Live Together in a Common Law Marriage

You have been with your partner for the longest time, and it’s time to start considering common law marriage. Common law marriage exists in a small number of states, including Alabama, but it later prohibited it. It is no longer recognized as valid. To be considered, it should be at least one year.

Common law marriage is as factual and legal as marriage gets. If a couple in a common law marriage moves to a new state that does not recognize it, the constitution requires it to be identified. Even if you do not have the idea of marriage when you start living with someone, you can still end up in this common law marriage.

The following are some of its requirements; you must be living together, must have a legal right or the capacity to marry, must intend to be married, and with the intentions to hold yourself out of friends and family as being a married couple.

Let’s Solve Your Legal Marriage Issues

Alabama has its own set of state-specific laws concerning its marriages. It is important to verify all information before making any wedding or marriage plans. If you have any legal marriage issues you need help with, contact us today.