SB13 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg AlbrittonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Marriage license, recording by judge of probate, transmission to Vital Statistics office, Secs. 30-1-9, 30-1-10, 30-1-11, 30-1-13, 30-1-14 repealed; Secs. 22-9A-17, 30-1-5, 30-1-12, 30-1-16 am'd.
Summary: SB 13 would end marriage licenses and switch Alabama to a system where two people record a marriage with a judge of probate, who forwards the record to Vital Statistics.
What This Bill Does
It abolishes the marriage license requirement and lets two people enter into a marriage by recording affidavits, forms, and data with the judge of probate. The judge must record the marriage and transmit the record to the Office of Vital Statistics by the fifth day of the following month; the judge cannot reject the recording if the required documents are provided. The marriage is valid on the date of recording, and any civil, religious, or independent ceremony may occur without affecting validity; solemnization is not required. The marriage document must include minimum information about the parties and, if a minor is involved, parental/guardian consent (and, in some cases, a bond). The judge keeps a permanent record and forwards the filing to Vital Statistics.

Who It Affects
Couples who want to marry: must file the specified affidavits, forms, and data with the judge of probate to have their marriage legally recognized, replacing the need for a marriage license.
Judge of Probate and the Office of Vital Statistics: must record each marriage, forward monthly records to Vital Statistics, and collect related recording fees; Vital Statistics maintains statewide records.

Key Provisions
A marriage license requirement is abolished; two parties marry by recording with the judge of probate.
The judge of probate records the marriage and forwards the record to the Office of Vital Statistics by the 5th day of the following month.
A marriage is valid on the date of recording; civil, religious, or other ceremonies may be performed without affecting validity, and solemnization is not required.
The marriage document must include minimum information (names, notarized consent for minors, ages, voluntary consent, signatures) and, for minors (16-18), parental/guardian consent and a bond may be required.
The act repeals several prior sections (30-1-9, 30-1-10, 30-1-11, 30-1-13, 30-1-14) and amends others (22-9A-17, 30-1-5, 30-1-12, 30-1-16); the form to meet minimum requirements will be prepared by the Alabama Law Institute with the Department of Public Health.
Effective date is 90 days after the act passes and is approved by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Domestic Relations