Marriage Certificates

NOTICE: Marriage Certificate Process
(Bay Minette Location ONLY)

Please note: no other probate office in Baldwin County can handle the certificate process.

Office Hours
Monday - Friday (except these holidays)
8:00am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 4:30pm
The building closes daily from 12:00pm - 1:00pm.

Effective August 29, 2019, the process for entering into a legal marriage in Alabama changes, pursuant to Ala. 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. Furthermore, Baldwin County Probate (Bay Minette location only) will now be required to record marriage certificates. The Alabama Marriage Certificate form represents a contractual agreement between the parties to the marriage, completed by both parties and delivered to the probate court for recording. Once properly completed and recorded, the marriage is valid. A wedding ceremony may be performed for the parties, but solemnization is no longer required for a recognized marriage in Alabama.

As of May 18, 2022 all marriage certificates must be notarized by a notary public authorized to notarize under the laws of the State of Alabama.

• Ala. Act 2019-340
• Request for Attorney General Opinion from Mobile County Probate Judge, Don Davis
• Attorney General's response to Judge Davis
• Attorney General's response to notary requirement

Alabama Marriage Certificate Forms (blank forms are not provided in office)

Information, forms and instructions are available on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website at:

 http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html.

For ease of reference, links to the instructions are listed below:

For Adults (effective August 2023) – Aug 2023 Marriage Cert and Instructions - Adults
For Minors(effective August 2023) – Aug 2023 MarriageCert and Instructions - Minors [16-17 years of age]

Please note: The form should be printed on 8.5 x 11 inch white, front side only, as actual size, not “fit to page” or another modified size.

After the form is completed and notarized, the parties will submit the form and $73.00 filing fee (either in person, by mail, or third party) within 30 calendar days to the Probate Office in Bay Minette (only) for recording. The 30 day period for recording the document in Probate Court commences when the last party executes the document. Form must be legible and all requested information must be provided. Incomplete forms or forms containing white-out or other corrective marks will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the parties to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. The fee is $73.00 which includes one certified copy. You may mail your certificate and payment (money order or cashier’s check made payable to Judge of Probate) to the address below. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. No business or personal checks accepted. If you submit the form in person or by third party, there are additional payment options of cash or credit card (service fee applies).

Blank forms and notary services for the form will not be provided by the Probate office.

Alabama Marriage Certificate Corrections

If corrections are required to an Alabama Marriage Certificate that has already been recorded, please refer to the instructions and correction form below:

Guidelines for Amending an Alabama Marriage Certificate
Amendment to Alabama Marriage Certificate and Decree of Correction

Obtaining a Certified Copy

If recorded in Baldwin County, you may order certified copies of your Marriage License (if married prior to 8/29/19) or Marriage Certificate (if married on/after 8/29/19) from the Baldwin County Probate Office in Bay Minette. The fee is $3.00 per copy and you may request a copy through the mail if you send the fee (money order or cashier’s check). Please include a return address. If you make an in-office request, there are additional payment options of cash or credit card (service fee applies). Make payment payable to Judge of Probate. Complete the online request form (see below) and mail to the following address:

Judge of Probate
Marriage Section
PO Box 459
Bay Minette, AL 36507-0459

Office Hours
Monday - Friday (except these holidays)
8:00am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 4:30pm
The building closes from 12:00pm - 1:00pm for lunch and sanitizing.

REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED COPIES

Copies can also be obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health for a fee.