Three Easy Steps to Get Married in Alabama

Step 1: Complete the Marriage Certificate

Step 3: Take the notarized form to the Office of Probate

Step 1: Complete the Marriage Certificate

The fastest and easiest way for you to get your hands on the right Marriage Certificate, is for you to go to the state website and complete the Marriage Certificate online. Then print the form. Just click the green button above (Marriage Certificate Template) and you'll be directed to the actual form.

If you prefer to complete the Certificate by hand, you will need to obtain a Marriage Certificate form from any of the 60+ Alabama Offices of Probate.

Step 2: Meet with a Notary Public

Step 3: Take the notarized form to the Office of Probate

Step 1: Complete the Marriage Certificate

Don't sign anything until you meet with the Notary. You'll need government-issued ID and the notary's fee.

The notary must watch you sign your name and then will administer an Affirmation (Oath).

Beginning April 3, 2020, in light of COVID-19 and State of Emergency, Alabama Notaries can notarize signatures online and remotely, using technology. Both you and the notary must be in the State of Alabama during the video-conference notarization.

We can help you find a Notary. You'll find a few listed below. If you need one who is closer, or one who can perform the notarization online, just give us a call.

The Notaries listed on this website have received formal training and are familiar with the Marriage Certificate process.

Step 3: Take the notarized form to the Office of Probate

You have 30 days to record the signed and notarized Marriage Certificate at the Office of Probate. If you take longer than that your marriage may not be valid. So hurry! Don't be late.

You'll find a short list of Probate Offices below, with corresponding phone number and street address. (You're welcome.)

There is a fee you'll be required to pay to record the notarized Certificate. Each office charges a different fee.

Remote Notarization in Alabama

Breaking News!

Effective Friday, April 3, 2020, a Proclamation issued by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, allowed Alabama Notaries to conduct notarizations remotely. This option makes it safe for notarizations to be conducted during the COVID-19 Pandemic and "social distancing" ordinance.

If you need an Alabama Marriage Certificate notarized without having to meet the notary in person, Michelle can assist you online.

What is a remote notarization?

A remote notarization is when the document signers and the notary public can be at different locations during the notarization process. All parties must meet via two-way video and audio conference technology.

How would this work?

Governor Ivey's Proclamation outlined steps that the remote notary must follow in order to complete a remote notarization correctly. You can find a copy of the Proclamation below. You must be in the State of Alabama in order for the notary to conduct the remote notarization.

Here's one approach to having your Marriage Certificate notarized:

The couple completes the Alabama Marriage Certificate and prints a copy. They schedule an appointment with a remote notary. The notary sends the couple an email or text message containing a link. At a pre-determined date/time, the couple clicks the link to join a video conference with the notary. All three individuals are connected. They can see and hear each other.

During the video conference, the couple presents government issue ID, signs their names on the Certificate and take an Oath. The video-conference session will be recorded.

If the couple is not in a hurry, they can mail the signed Certificate, with original signatures, to the notary who will sign, date and apply their official notary seal. The couple will decide if they want the notary to return the notarized Certificate to them or forward it to the Probate Office for recording.

The effective date of the notarization would be the date and time the notary witnesses the couple's signatures during the videoconference session.

How much will a remote notarization cost?

Customers will be charged two fees: i) a Notary Fee of $5 per notarial act; II) a remote/administrative fee of $25. Additional fees could apply (i.e., overnight mailing charges, etc.) A formal, itemized quote will be issued by the remote notary. Payment must be made prior to the videoconference session.

What are the system requirements?

Customers will need a computer or mobile device with a webcam that has both video and audio capabilities. Customers must also be able to upload or transmit the completed Marriage Certificate to the notary.

Professional Notaries - Northern

Michelle Riley 256.503.6595

Michelle will be on vacation from 10/31/20 - 11/2/20

Michelle can remotely (video-conference) notarize your Alabama Marriage Certificate as long as you are located in the State of Alabama.

Greg Spruell 256.759.2871

Michelle Riley 256.503.6595

Serving all of Madison County, Alabama and cities within. Greg will meet you at a convenient location.

Availability: 7 days a week BY APPOINTMENT

You can also reach Greg at mobilenotaryhsv@gmail.com and www.mobilenotaryhsv.com.

Professional Notaries - Central Alabama

Ed Harris 205.305.2920

John Dempsey III (205) 565-8057

Ed Harris 205.305.2920

Serving Birmingham and surrounding areas including Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties. I will drive to your location or meet at my office.

Avast Realty Birmingham

EdHarris726@Gmail.com

www.edharris.avastrealty.com

Brandi Gary (205) 213-7131

John Dempsey III (205) 565-8057

Ed Harris 205.305.2920

Serving Jefferson, Shelby & Tuscaloosa Counties.

Video Conference Notarizations Available

Email: bgary@a-tconsulting.com

Website: www.a-tconsulting.com

John Dempsey III (205) 565-8057

Serving Birmingham & Jefferson Counties. John will drive to your location to conduct the notarization. Availability: 7 days a week BY APPOINTMENT. You can also reach him at:

service@afterworknotarytogo.com and www.afterworknotarytogo.com.

Appointment with John

Alabama Probate Court

Baldwin County, AL

Jefferson County, AL

Baldwin County, AL

220 Courthouse Square

Bay Minette, AL 35401

Phone: (251) 580-2501

Cullman County, AL

Jefferson County, AL

Baldwin County, AL

500 2nd Ave SW

Suite 313

Cullman, AL 35055

(256) 775-4803

Jefferson County, AL

716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd

Suite 130

Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 325-5411, Option 2

Limestone County, AL

Montgomery County, AL

Jefferson County, AL

100 South Clinton Street

Suite D

Athens, AL. 35611

(256) 233-6427

Madison County, AL

Montgomery County, AL

Downtown Huntsville

100 North Side Square

Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone: (256) 532-3330

Montgomery County, AL

101 South Lawrence Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone: (334) 832-1244

Alabama Probate Court

Coffee County, AL (Enterprise)

101 S Edwards Street

Enterprise, AL 36330

Phone: (334) 347-2688

Email: coffeecoprobate-al.org

Coffee County AL (Elba)

Coffee County, AL (Enterprise)

230-P North Court Street

Elba, AL 36323

Phone: (334) 897-2211

Etowah County, AL

Coffee County, AL (Enterprise)

Tallapoosa County, AL

800 Forrest Ave

Gadsden, AL 35901

(256) 549-1444

Tallapoosa County, AL

125 Broadnax St

Dadeville, AL 36853

Phone: (256) 825-4266

Tuscaloosa County, AL

Tallapoosa County, AL

Tuscaloosa County, AL

714 Greensboro Ave

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Phone: (205) 349-3870

Walker County, AL

Tallapoosa County, AL

Tuscaloosa County, AL

1900 Third Ave

Jasper, AL 35501

Phone: (205) 384-7281

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed?

How do I find a Marriage Certificate form?

What else changed?

Persons wanting to marry in Alabama no longer have to file an application for a marriage license with county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses.

What else changed?

How do I find a Marriage Certificate form?

What else changed?

The Alabama Marriage Certificate form should now be completed by the persons entering into marriage and delivered to the probate court for recording.

How do I find a Marriage Certificate form?

By visiting the Alabama Department of Public Health's website. Here's the link for couples 18 years of age and older.

What if I'm not 18?

Can I still have a marriage ceremony?

How do I find a Marriage Certificate form?

There's a second version of the form for persons who are 16 to 17 years of age and require the consent of a parent or guardian to enter into marriage.

Can I still have a marriage ceremony?

Under the new law, a wedding ceremony is optional. You may have a ceremony, but is no longer required for a recognized marriage in Alabama.

What will be my marriage date?

Can I still have a marriage ceremony?

The date of the marriage is the date that the affidavit on the Alabama Marriage Certificate form is signed by the two spouses, so long as the completed and notarized form is provided to the probate office for recording within 30 days of the date of the spouse's signatures.

More FAQs

What if my spouse and I sign on different dates?

The date of the marriage will be the latter of the dates of the spouses' signatures, provided the form is delivered to the probate office within 30 days of the date of the spouses' signatures.

What does "the latter of the dates" mean?

What if my spouse and I sign on different dates?

If the spouses sign on two different dates, this means the latest date of the two signatures.

When does my marriage become "legal"?

What if my spouse and I sign on different dates?

When does my marriage become "legal"?

Your marriage is valid or "legal" when the properly completed, signed and notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form is recorded by an Alabama probate court. The marriage form must be delivered to the probate court within 30 days of the latter of the dates of the spouses' signatures for the marriage to be valid.

What if I take longer than 30 days?

When does my marriage become "legal"?

The marriage would be considered invalid, and the spouses would need to complete a new Marriage Certificate form and deliver it to the probate court within the 30 days required by law.

Can minors marry in Alabama?

What if I take longer than 30 days?

Can minors marry in Alabama?

If you are under the age of 18, but are at least 16 years of age, and have never been married, you can still marry in Alabama with the consent of a parent or guardian. The consenting parent(s) or guardian(s) must complete page 2 of the Marriage Certificate form, entitled "Affidavit of Consent for Marriage of a Minor".

More about minors.

What if I take longer than 30 days?

Can minors marry in Alabama?

For the marriage (minors) to be valid, the marriage form completed by the spouses and the Affidavit of Consent must be presented together to the probate court for recording. The final Marriage Certificate will be a two-page document.

Even More FAQs

Where can I find a Notary?

How much does it cost to record a marriage with the probate court?

How much will a Notary charge me?

Check the following websites for a list of trained and professional notaries: MarriageCertificateNotary.com; NotariesforAlabama.com; MobileNotaryAlabama.com

How much will a Notary charge me?

How much does it cost to record a marriage with the probate court?

How much will a Notary charge me?

Under Alabama law, a Notary Public is able to charge $5 for each signature that is notarized, and for each official act performed. Notaries who drive to meet with you can charge an additional fee.

How much does it cost to record a marriage with the probate court?

Every county probate court in Alabama sets its own fees for recording documents. Call the office of probate court for its current recording fees or check the court's website to find a listing of recording fees.

Which probate court should I use?

Can I email or fax the Alabama Marriage Certificate to the probate court?

How much does it cost to record a marriage with the probate court?

You may record an Alabama Marriage Certificate form in any Alabama county probate court.

Can I mail the Alabama Marriage Certificate to the probate court?

Can I email or fax the Alabama Marriage Certificate to the probate court?

Yes; but make sure it is received by the probate court within the 30 days required under law, in order for the marriage to be valid.

Can I email or fax the Alabama Marriage Certificate to the probate court?

Certificates that are emailed or signed electronically will not be accepted.

The Last of the FAQs

Will the probate court provide me with a certified copy of my Marriage Certificate after it has been

Some probate courts currently provide a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate to couples and have announced that they will continue to do so, but the practice is different from county to county.

How do I get additional certified copies of my Marriage Certificate?

Will the probate court provide me with a certified copy of my Marriage Certificate after it has been

After the probate court records the Marriage Certificate, the original certificate will be forwarded to the Alabama Department of Public Health's Center for Health Statistics. Once the original certificate has been received and filed in the

When can I request additional certified copies of my Marriage Certificate?

Will the probate court provide me with a certified copy of my Marriage Certificate after it has been

When can I request additional certified copies of my Marriage Certificate?

Once the original certificate has been received and filed in the Center for Health Statistics, you may request certificate through that office. For instructions on how to request certified copies of your certificate in person, online, by mail, or by phone, visit the Center's website. Use this link

Do notaries perform marriage ceremonies?

I'm a Notary Public. How can I be listed on this website?

When can I request additional certified copies of my Marriage Certificate?

Most notaries do not perform marriage ceremonies. It is not a typical notarial act. However, some notaries are also ministers and perform weddings. When scheduling an appointment with the notary, ask about other services.

I'm a Notary Public. How can I be listed on this website?

To be listed, send an email (below) with your name, county of residence and email address. The site owner will let you know the cost and requirements.

How do I obtain recording fee information?

I'm a Notary Public. How can I be listed on this website?

You will have to call the office of probate. Eventually, we will add that information to our website.