You Don’t Need A Marriage License To Get Married In Alabama?

It's time we have that conversation and address the elephant in the room. You know, the conversation about people in Alabama and marriage.

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Like it or not, people who don't live in Alabama have a perception about Alabamians and marriage.

Have you heard the common statement people say about people from Alabama?

You've had to hear it more than a few times by now.

"You're from Alabama?.. Don't you all marry your cousins down there?"

Although I can't speak for everyone, I can say that in my 3 years of living in Alabama, I've never come across someone who has married their family member.

What Is A Common Law Marriage?

According to NCSL, a common law marriage is a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony.

Alabama Marriage License Required For Marriage?

While we're on the topic of marriage, we all know that there are a few things that make a marriage official.

For some, it's a ring.

For others, marriage isn't official until you have a huge ceremony with all of your family and friends present to witness the union.

Is a marriage license part of those requirements?

Can you get married in Alabama without a marriage license?

According to Alabama Legal Help, common law marriage in Alabama is recognized present day. There is a catch.

Although Alabama recognizes common law marriages, they only recognize those prior to 2017.

To find out more about Alabama's marriage laws, you can click here to visit Alabama Legal Help.