How to Get Married in Alabama

Planning on getting married in Alabama? You're in luck: Tying the knot in this state is relatively easy and requires a simpler process than most other parts of the United States. That process starts, however, just like it would in any other place: First, you'll need to get a marriage license, which, as we mentioned, is particularly easy. You simply have to print a form, get it notarized, and send it to the probate court. Fun fact: Alabama doesn't even require couples to say vows in front of an officiant or have any sort of ceremony to get married. Filing this form is truly all you need to be official under the law.

Still, there are things you need to do to get your marriage license in Alabama. You have to fill out the form properly and send it to the state in a timely manner. To help get it right, we reached out to Alabama-based wedding planner Ann-Marie Leveille. Read on to find out her tips if you plan on getting married in this state.

When and Where to Get a Marriage Certificate in Alabama

Alabama is one of the few states that doesn't require you to appear in person at a courthouse or government building to get your marriage license. Instead, you simply download this form—which is technically called a marriage certificate—get it notarized, and mail it to a probate court in Alabama.

But despite the process being easy, Leveille still recommends leaving plenty of time to get it done. "Set a calendar reminder 30 days out from your wedding date to go online and download your forms," she shares.

How to Get a Marriage Certificate in Alabama

Not exactly sure where to find, how to fill out, or where to send your completed marriage certificate? Here's everything you need to know.

Fill out the marriage certificate form with your partner.

"The process is actually fairly simple," says Leveille. "Most people actually overthink it." The first step is to download your form from the link listed above. Fill it out with your partner, but do not sign it yet—you will need to do that in front of the person notarizing it. Want to see an example of a properly filled-out Alabama marriage certificate? The state has provided this one as a guide.

Get the completed form notarized.

The next step is to get a public notary to sign the forms. Most banks offer a notary service. Notaries are also available at public libraries, UPS stores, AAA, and some pharmacies. You and your partner will appear before the notary, and he or she will have you confirm the information on your form is true and sign it. "The date the forms are signed by you and notarized is your legal marriage date, so plan accordingly," Leveille reveals. "We also see couples forgetting to find a notary public and often scramble to secure one."

That means that if you want your legal wedding date to match up with your actual one, you'll have to hire a notary to come to your venue and notarize your marriage certificate before or after the ceremony. An alternative is to hire an officiant who is also a notary.

Mail or deliver the form to an Alabama probate court.

The next step is to mail or deliver your form to a probate court in Alabama. It doesn't matter where your ceremony is or where you live; any probate court will do the job. Your form must be delivered within 30 days of signing it. If you don't make that deadline your marriage will not be valid, so make sure to take care of it, reminds Leveille: "Assign a family member or trusted friend to mail the forms to the probate court immediately after your wedding if you are going on a honeymoon." Each probate court sets its own fees for recording a marriage; be sure to check in with the court to determine whether or not you will need to mail a check alongside your marriage certificate.

Request a copy.

After your form is filed with the government, you can secure a copy through the department of health by writing to this address:

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama
36103-5625

$15 will get you a certified copy of the marriage certificate, and each additional copy ordered at the same time is $6. Checks or money orders should be made payable to "State Board of Health." Cash is not allowed.

Alabama Marriage Certificate Requirements

You will need to fill out a form with your full names, addresses, daytime phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and the full names of both of your parents before their first marriages. Once you mail in your form, you will be legally married in the state of Alabama.

How to Get Married in Alabama

Remember, your ceremony isn't what is officially recognized by the state. Signing the form is what matters—so once you fill out, notarize, and send your marriage certificate to the courts, you're married, simple as that. "Wedding ceremonies with a licensed officiant are not even necessary to legalize the marriage," says Leveille. "Couples may 'self solemnize' their marriage or have a friend or family member conduct a ceremony, as long as the probate court receives the forms."