Alabama Covid Wedding Regulations

ONLINE WEDDING CEREMONIES

Online weddings are somewhat allowed in Alabama. In August 2019, Alabama modified its marriage laws, replacing minister and witness requirements with a couple-only (and notary)marriage recording system. Couples are no longer required to file for marriage licenses. This means that wedding ceremonies can take any form, as long as the couple files a notarized marriage application with the Probate Court. While a wedding ceremony may be performed, it is not required for a marriage to be considered legal in Alabama.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has made the Marriage Certificate Form accessible online. Contact your local Probate Court to file the information.

COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR COUPLES & MINISTERS

Alabama has fully reopened. In May, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that prohibits local businesses from requiring proof of vaccination status and the Safer Apart order expired on May 31, 2021.

MARRIAGE LICENSES & THE PROBATE COURT

At the moment, some Probate Courts in Alabama may still be temporarily operating with modified schedules. Please plan accordingly, as hours may have changed or an appointment may be necessary.

Couples do not apply for a Marriage License in Alabama - instead, they record their marriage with a Marriage Certificate. As of August 2019, to record a marriage, couples file a notarized Marriage Certificate with the court (officiant and witness signatures are not required). Couples must have their Marriage Certificate notarized in-person, but it can be returned to the Probate Court in-person or by mail.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information, contact your Probate Court. Alabama's Marriage Certificate form is accessible below.

Alabama Marriage Certificate

COVID-19, social distancing, travel bans, lockdowns… Many couples are being forced to downsize their wedding plans and for many guests, the only way to attend is with their computers and mobile phones.

If your guest list is shrinking to just the couple and officiant, or maybe just the couple, Alabama marriage laws regulate who must be in attendance, and how the ceremony is conducted. Here are some options to help adapt your wedding plans in Alabama to celebrate a COVID safe wedding.

Virtual Weddings vs. Livestream Ceremonies in Alabama

For the sake of clarity, we differentiate virtual wedding ceremonies (or Zoom/Skype ceremonies) from livestream ceremonies by who is in attendance. If the officiant is officiating the vows from another place via video, then we call that a virtual or Zoom ceremony, since the people involved in the ceremony are interacting over whatever video platform is chosen.

However, if the couple and the officiant are present, but guests are watching remotely, we call that a livestream wedding since the ceremony itself is happening in one physical place. You can read more about what distinguishes each option here.

How can we celebrate a legally valid live streamed ceremony in Alabama

You can livestream any activity or event, and it doesn't matter where you are in Alabama, what you're doing or how many people are physically present with you. Some of the most popular platforms include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live.

As long as you have a tripod and a phone with a good camera on it, your guests will be able to participate remotely. Many of these platforms even allow guests to comment, chat, and interact in other ways.

We realize that this is not always ideal, but ultimately, if couples choose to move forward with scaled down weddings and smaller guests lists, these communications platforms let friends and family around the world know that they are still being thought of.

For folks planning on livestreaming their nuptials, Here's How to Livestream Your Wedding.