Marriage License Fees

Alabama · 2026

Alabama Marriage License: Cost and Requirements

A marriage license in Alabama costs $84.50, depending on the county, and there is no waiting period. The license is good for 30 days.

Alabama marriage license fees by county

Fees for the 7 counties we have verified, largest first. Each row links to a county page with where to apply and the official clerk link.

CountyLicenseCertified copyCourthouse ceremonyWait
Jefferson County$84.50$3Not offeredNo waiting period
Madison County$89——No waiting period
Mobile County$73$3—No waiting period
Baldwin County$73$3Not offeredNo waiting period
Tuscaloosa County$75——No waiting period
Shelby County$86$3FreeNo waiting period
Montgomery County$78.50$2$32.50No waiting period

— means the figure is not in our data. Check the county's official page.

Alabama marriage license rules

License fee

$84.50

Each county probate court sets its own recording fee, so the cost varies by county. Jefferson County charges $84.50.

Source: web.archive.org

Waiting period

No waiting period

There is no license and no waiting period; the marriage is valid once the notarized form is recorded by a probate court.

Source: web.archive.org

How long the license is valid

30 days

The signed, notarized form must reach a probate court within 30 days of the last spouse's signature, or the couple must start over with a new form.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Minimum age and parental consent

16 with consent; 18 without

Adults 18 and older use the standard form. Those 16 or 17 who have never been married need a parent or guardian's notarized consent on a separate form.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

What to bring

The form asks for each spouse's Social Security Number; leave it blank if you were never assigned one. Both signatures must be notarized by an Alabama notary.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Applying online

No, apply in person

You fill in the form online at the state health department site, but it must be printed, signed in ink, notarized and delivered to a probate court; emailed forms are not accepted.

Official online application

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Who can officiate

Includes self-uniting

No officiant is required because a ceremony is optional; the marriage is created by recording the notarized form.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Out-of-state couples

You can record in any Alabama county, not just where you live. The state says foreign residents who meet the eligibility rules can also marry in Alabama.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Who issues the license

County probate court (records the Alabama Marriage Certificate; no license issued)

Alabama has no marriage license. Couples complete and notarize an Alabama Marriage Certificate form and deliver it to any county probate court for recording.

Source: alabamapublichealth.gov

Not in our data yet: premarital course discount, blood test, do both of you have to appear?, witnesses, proxy marriage. Ask your county office.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a marriage license in Alabama?

$84.50, depending on the county. Each county probate court sets its own recording fee, so the cost varies by county. Jefferson County charges $84.50.

Is there a waiting period in Alabama?

No. There is no license and no waiting period; the marriage is valid once the notarized form is recorded by a probate court.

How long is a Alabama marriage license valid?

30 days. The signed, notarized form must reach a probate court within 30 days of the last spouse's signature, or the couple must start over with a new form.

How old do you have to be to get married in Alabama?

Adults 18 and older use the standard form. Those 16 or 17 who have never been married need a parent or guardian's notarized consent on a separate form.

Sources

Last verified . Fees and rules change; confirm with your county before you go. Spot an error? Report it.

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