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Starting Aug. 29, Alabama will no longer issue traditional marriage licenses. Instead, couples wanting to get wed will submit a notarized marriage certificate that will be recorded ? but not issued ? by Probate Judges. The notarized statement must be submitted within a month of being signed.

Basically, you will sign a marriage certificate, have it notarized the day of your wedding, and submit it to probate court within 30 days. All Alabama probate courts are required to record marriage certificates.

Signing the form is what matters. "Wedding ceremonies with a licensed officiant are not even necessary to legalize the marriage," says Leveille. "Couples may 'self solemnize' their marriage or have a friend or family member conduct a ceremony, as long as the probate court receives the forms."

Under the new law, persons wishing to become married are no longer required to file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses. Furthermore, all Alabama probate courts will now be required to record marriage certificates.

Alabama Notaries Public may perform the notarization for a couple's marriage affidavit and charge the allowed fee for the notarial act. They may also provide additional, non-notarial services related to wedding planning and presiding over a ceremony to celebrate the marriage.

Your marriage is valid or ?legal? when the properly completed, signed and notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate form is recorded by an Alabama probate court. The marriage form must be delivered to the probate court within 30 days of the latter of the dates of the spouses' signatures for the marriage to be valid.