Getting Married
Ala. Code § 22-9A-17 — no license, a recorded affidavit with the probate judge within 30 days, and no marriage under 16
Two people marry in Alabama by submitting the required affidavits, forms and data to the office of the judge of probate for recording. The marriage is legally recognized as of the date both signed, as long as the documents reach the probate office within 30 days of the signatures.
Who handles this in Alabama: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
The age. A person under the age of 16 cannot marry. From 16 and under 18, with no former spouse, a parent's or guardian's consent is required, by a notarized affidavit filed with the probate court.
Sources for this section (3)
- Ala. Code § 22-9A-17 — Marriage Registration
- Ala. Code § 30-1-4 — Minimum Age for Contracting Marriage
- Ala. Code § 30-1-5 — Consent of Parents Required for Marriage of Certain Minors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.