MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

COMMENCING AUGUST 29, 2019, ACT 2019-340 will replace existing state statutory marriage law, and the Judge of Probate will no longer issue a MARRIAGE LICENSE to two persons desiring to unite in marriage. The new law abolishes the requirement for a license and, while couples may have a ceremony if they so desire, a ceremony will no longer be required. This new law applies to every county in the State of Alabama.

Please note that other requirements relating to marriage, such as being of minimum age and not presently married, were not changed by the new law.

The new law mandates that two persons desiring to unite in marriage may do so by:

completing the required form entitled Alabama Marriage Certificate provided by the State, which must be signed by both parties, dated, and notarized by an Alabama notary only. Notary must place his/her seal on the form.
delivering the completed original form to the Probate Office for recording within 30 days of the date of the signatures and notarization;
paying the required fee.

The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of both parties. Important Note: If you are having a marriage ceremony, and want that date to be your legal date of marriage, please make sure the Alabama Marriage Certificate form is completed, signed, dated, and notarized on the same date as your ceremony. The parties have the responsibility to present the completed original form to the Probate Office for recording within 30 days of the signatures of the parties and same being notarized. The recording of the required form will establish legal recognition of the marriage. The original Alabama Marriage Certificate form filed with the Probate Office will be forwarded by the Judge of Probate to the Office of Vital Statistics, as required by the new law. The Probate Office will provide a certified copy of the recorded Alabama Marriage Certificate form to the parties for their personal records; cost $5.00 for the first copy and $3.00 each additional.

The Alabama Marriage Certificate forms and instructions are available in a fillable pdf format and may be printed, once all required fields have been completed. To access the new Alabama Marriage Certificate form and instructions online, at the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website:

PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! DO NOT USE WHITE OUT OR CORRECTION TAPE ON FORMS.

There are separate Instructions and form requirements if either party intending to marry is under the age of 18, but a least 16 years of age, and they have not been previously married.

COST TO RECORD IN DALE COUNTY: $77.00
(SAME AS PREVIOUS COST FOR LICENSE)

Sharon A. Michalic, Judge of Probate, Dale County (334) 774-2754

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN MARRIAGE LICENSE LAW

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE FOR MINORS:

IF ONE OR BOTH PARTIES DESIRING TO UNITE IN MARRIAGE ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, BUT AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE, and HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY MARRIED, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO:

complete the required form entitled Alabama Marriage Certificate provided by the State, which must be signed by both parties, dated, and notarized by an Alabama notary only.Notary must place his/her seal on the form.
complete the required form entitled Affidavit of Consent for Marriage of a Minor, which must be properly signed, dated and notarized by parent(s) or guardian(s) of the minor(s). Notary must place his/her seal on the form.
both pages must be presented together to the Probate Court in order for the marriage to be valid.
deliver the completed original forms to the Probate Office for recording within 30 days of the date of the signatures and notarization;
pay the required fee.

The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of both parties. Important Note: If you are having a marriage ceremony and want that date to be your legal date of marriage, please make sure the required forms are completed, signed, dated, and notarized on the same date as your ceremony. The parties have the responsibility to present the completed original forms to the Probate Office for recording within 30 days of the signatures of the parties and same being notarized. The recording of the required forms will establish legal recognition of the marriage. The original Alabama Marriage Certificate form and the Affidavit of Consent for Marriage of a Minor form filed with the Probate Office will be forwarded by the Judge of Probate to the Office of Vital Statistics, as required by the new law. The Probate Office will provide a certified copy of the recorded Alabama Marriage Certificate form to the parties for their personal records; cost $5.00 for the first copy and $3.00 each additional copy.

The Alabama Marriage Certificate forms, Affidavit of Consent for Marriage of a Minor forms, and Instructions for Completing and Filing an Alabama Marriage Certificate (for Minors) are available in a fillable pdf format and may be printed, once all required fields have been completed. To access the new required forms and instructions online, at the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website: http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html You can also access the website via the link provided on the Dale County website: www.probate.dalecountyal.gov

PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! DO NOT USE WHITE OUT OR CORRECTION TAPE ON FORMS.

COST TO RECORD IN DALE COUNTY: $77.00
(SAME AS PREVIOUS COST FOR LICENSE)