Effective August 29, 2019, the process for entering into a legal marriage in Alabama changed, pursuant to Alabama Act 2019-340.  Under the new law, persons wishing to become married are no longer required to file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses.  The Alabama Marriage Certificate form should now be completed by the persons entering into marriage and delivered to the probate court for recording. Once properly completed and recorded by the probate court, the marriage is legal. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but a ceremony is no longer required for a recognized marriage in Alabama.

The new Alabama Marriage Certificate can be accessed online at the Alabama Department of Public Health's website at http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html. There is one form for persons who are 18 years of age and older, and 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.

The fee to record the Alabama Marriage Certificate in the Probate Court of Lauderdale County, Alabama, is $73.00.   This may be paid by cash, check, or card.  We do not accept American Express.  There is a 2 ½ % credit card fee minimum of 50 cents.