The Alabama Marriage Relationship

In order to have a valid marriage in the State of Alabama, the following conditions must be met:

  • No one under the age of 14 has the capacity to contract marriage
  • For any person under the age of 18 consent by a parent or guardian is required
  • Both parties must be of sound mind
  • Have the ability to contract marriage
  • And the parties cannot be related within a prohibited degree
  • Also, the Alabama Marriage Protection Act was passed in 1998 that specifies marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a women.  A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in Alabama. ALA. CODE 30-1-19(b) (1975). The act also holds that the State of Alabama shall not recognize the marriage of parties of the same sex from other states.
  • A marriage cannot exist without the mutual consent of both parties.  Since consent is lacking if a previous marriage existed, or when consent is procured by duress, a marriage is not valid when obtained under either circumstance.

Here is a link to some valuable information on the requirements for a marriage license in the State of Alabama.