Alabama marriage certificate rules & optional wedding ceremonies
Covers all 67 County Probate Court Recording Jurisdictions in Alabama under Ala. Code § 30-1-9.1 (Act 2019-340).
Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates
- Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for Alabama
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026 - Alabama Act 2019-340 CheckConfirm Couple Prepares Alabama Form ADPH-HS-47
Alabama abolished marriage licenses; officiating a ceremony requires no county registration or paid kit, while both spouses notarize Form ADPH-HS-47.
Mon, Nov 30, 2026 - 21 Days Before CeremonyComplete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026 - Notary Execution WindowSpouses Sign & Notarize Form ADPH-HS-47
Both spouses sign Form ADPH-HS-47 before a notary public; the 30-day Probate Court recording clock starts from the later spouse’s signature.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026 - Within 30 Days After CeremonyRecord Notarized Form ADPH-HS-47 at County Probate Court
Witness Rule: No ceremony witnesses or officiant signature are required on the civil form; each spouse’s signature on Form ADPH-HS-47 must be notarized by an authorized notary public.. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Fri, Jan 29, 2027.
Fri, Jan 29, 2027
How Alabama civil marriage & celebratory ceremonies work
ALABAMA CERTIFICATE PROCESS (NO MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIRED): Under Alabama Act 2019-340 (Ala. Code § 30-1-9.1), Alabama no longer issues marriage licenses and does not require a wedding ceremony or officiant signature to form a civil marriage. Instead, both spouses complete and notarize the official Alabama Marriage Certificate form (ADPH-HS-47) and record it with an Alabama County Probate Court within 30 days of the later spouse’s signature (confirm current Probate Court recording fee schedules directly with the county). Friends and ministers are still frequently asked to lead a meaningful celebratory ceremony, and no paid officiant kit is required to complete the civil process.
4 steps for an Alabama marriage & optional ceremony (Act 2019-340)
- Couple downloads official Form ADPH-HS-47: Both spouses obtain the official Alabama Marriage Certificate form from the Alabama Department of Public Health ↗ .
- Both spouses sign before a Notary Public: Each spouse’s signature on Form ADPH-HS-47 must be notarized by an authorized notary public. There is no officiant signature block or ceremony witness line on the civil form.
- Record with an Alabama County Probate Court within 30 days: Deliver the completed, notarized Form ADPH-HS-47 and recording fee to the County Probate Court within 30 days of the later spouse’s signature (if spouses sign on different dates, count 30 days from the second signature).
- Lead an optional celebratory ceremony ($0): Many Alabama couples still gather family and friends for a full wedding ceremony with vows and rings. You may get ordained free ($0) and use our ceremony script builder without purchasing any physical filing kit.
Major Alabama County Probate Courts
All Alabama County Probate Courts (67)
Free ordination ($0) & ceremony script tools
No ordination fee • No annual renewal fee • Includes 6-lesson officiant course