Marriage Certificates
(Bay Minette Location ONLY)

Effective August 29, 2019:

Alabama no longer requires a marriage license application. Probate courts will not issue marriage licenses.

Baldwin County Probate (Bay Minette location only) records the marriage certificate.

Steps to File:

Obtain the Form:

The new marriage certificate form is provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health and can be found here: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html. Blank forms are not available in the office.

Complete and Notarize:

Submit the Form and Fee:

 Submission Details:

By Mail:  Send the completed form, payment (money order or cashier's check), and self addressed, stamped return envelope to: Judge of Probate Attn: Marriage Section PO Box 459 Bay Minette, AL 36507 . The completed and notarized application must be received in the Bay Minette Probate office within 30 calendar days of the last notarized signature. (not based on postmarked date)

In Person:  Visit the Bay Minette office (only) Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. No appointment needed.  Payment: Cash, credit card (fees apply). No personal/business checks accepted. Both parties are not required to be present. It can also be brought in by a 3rd party.                                         

Important Notes:

1. If properly recorded, the effective legal date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the spouses' signatures. You can celebrate any day you want, have a ceremony any day you want, or not have a ceremony at all.
2. If the form is not filed within 30 days, you will not have a legal marriage certificate in Alabama.

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

REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED COPIES

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

Below are some additional links regarding marriage certificates.

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

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]