SB69 Summary

• Abolishes the requirement for Alabama couples to obtain a marriage license from the judge of probate; instead allows two legally authorized persons to enter marriage by submitting notarized affidavits and forms to the probate court.

• Marriage becomes valid on the date both parties execute the required documents, provided they are recorded with the judge of probate within 30 days of the last signature.

• Each marriage must include notarized affidavits from both parties declaring they are not currently married, are of legal age (18+) or have parental consent if 16-17, are legally competent, are not related by blood or adoption, and are entering marriage voluntarily.

• Eliminates the requirement for a marriage ceremony or solemnization; permits optional civil or religious ceremonies with no legal effect on marriage validity.

• Judge of probate records all marriages and forwards them to the Office of Vital Statistics by the fifth day of the following calendar month; repeals five outdated marriage statute sections.