Beginning Aug. 29 couples wanting to get married in Alabama will no longer need a marriage license in advance due to a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature removing that requirement.
According to information released by the Escambia County (Ala.) Judge of Probate office the new law notes that while couples certainly may have a ceremony, but no ceremony is required.
As of Aug. 29, couples wishing to be married must complete a form provided by the state that can be accessed from the Alabama Department of Public Health's website at http://www.alabamapublichealth.com. The form must then be signed by the couple must also be signed by a notary and the from must be delivered to the judge of probate office for recording, along with a recording fee of $75, within 30 days of the signatures.
Other requirements surrounding marriage, such as being of a minimum age and not presently married have not changed under the new law.
The probate office must receive and file the original form and it will provide a certified copy to the couple for their personal records.
The current licenses issued for marriage are valid through Aug. 28. If a couple plans on getting married on Aug. 29 or later, they will need to comply with the new law and procedure.
