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Alabama marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply

What Alabama's official pages say about getting married there: the fee, the waiting period, how long the license lasts, witnesses, officiants, ID and where to apply. Each rule links its source.

By Wedding RemedyPublished November 12, 2026

Editorial standards

Alabama marriage license at a glance

Fee: Alabama issues no marriage license. Mobile County Probate Court charges $73 to record the Alabama Marriage Certificate form; each county probate court sets its own recording fee. Waiting period: Check with your county clerk. How long it is valid: No license is issued. The notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form must be delivered to a probate court within 30 days of the later spouse signature.

Alabama counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Mobile County; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Alabama marriage license rules

The rules below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked November 12, 2026. Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the clerk where you apply before you rely on a rule.

Fee: Alabama issues no marriage license. Mobile County Probate Court charges $73 to record the Alabama Marriage Certificate form; each county probate court sets its own recording fee. (Source: probate.mobilecountyal.gov, checked November 12, 2026)
Premarital education discount: None stated on the official pages we read. Check with your county clerk. Official page
Waiting period: Check with your county clerk. Official page
How long the license is valid: No license is issued. The notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form must be delivered to a probate court within 30 days of the later spouse signature. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Where the license can be used: The notarized form may be recorded in the probate court of any Alabama county, not just the county where either spouse lives. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Witnesses: Check with your county clerk. Official page
Who may officiate: No officiant is required. A wedding ceremony is optional; the marriage is legal once the probate court records the completed, notarized form. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Officiants ordained online: Not stated here. Ask the county clerk before you rely on an online ordination. Official page
Age: Adults 18 and older use one form. People 16 or 17 who have never been married need a parent or guardian to sign an affidavit of consent. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
ID and documents to bring: Check with your county clerk. Official page
Where to apply: No license application. Couples sign the Marriage Certificate form before a notary and deliver it to an Alabama county probate court for recording. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Online application: No online filing. The blank form can be downloaded, but emailed certificates are not accepted; the notarized original must be delivered or mailed to a probate court. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Certified copy of the marriage certificate: After recording, get certified copies from the state Center for Health Statistics or a county health department. The $15 search fee includes one copy; extra copies are $6 each. (Source: alabamapublichealth.gov, checked October 30, 2026)

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Alabama?

Alabama issues no marriage license. Mobile County Probate Court charges $73 to record the Alabama Marriage Certificate form; each county probate court sets its own recording fee. Alabama counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Mobile County; ask your county clerk for its fee.

How long is a Alabama marriage license valid?

No license is issued. The notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form must be delivered to a probate court within 30 days of the later spouse signature.

Who can officiate a wedding in Alabama?

No officiant is required. A wedding ceremony is optional; the marriage is legal once the probate court records the completed, notarized form.

How do you get a certified copy of a Alabama marriage certificate?

After recording, get certified copies from the state Center for Health Statistics or a county health department. The $15 search fee includes one copy; extra copies are $6 each.

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