The legal age to marry in Alabama is 18. However, if you are 16 to 17, you may obtain a license if both parents are present with valid identification and they consent in writing. You must also present a copy of your birth certificate certified by the State or County. A non-certified hospital birth record will be insufficient. If you are 18, the only acceptable form of Identification is a copy of your birth certificate certified by the State or County. Again, a non-certified hospital birth record will be insufficient.

If you are 19 or older, you must bring one of the following forms of identification: a valid driver's license, a copy of your birth certificate certified by the State or County, a military identification, or a certified school record.

If you have been divorced, please be prepared to tell us when. You may not apply for a license within 60 days after your divorce was granted unless you are remarrying your former spouse.  If you have been divorced less than one year, please present a copy of your divorce decree as signed by the judge.

A marriage license is valid in Alabama for 30 days from the date it is issued. A premarital blood test is no longer required in Alabama and there is no required waiting period after the license is purchased.

Marriage licenses are issued at the Probate Judge's office in Opelika, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 and 4. If you plan to arrive in the afternoon, you should be here no later that 3:30 to avoid last minute delays. The licensing process takes about 15 minutes. Both the prospective Bride and Groom must be present to obtain a marriage license.

The fee for a Marriage License is $43.00. If you are married in our office, the fee for the marriage license and ceremony is $58.00. The only acceptable form of payment is cash or local check. Our office is on the 1st floor of the courthouse located in downtown Opelika.

If you need a certified copy of a marriage license that was issued in Lee County, we need to know the month, day and year of the marriage, and names of the bride and groom. Send this information and $4.00 to the Probate Office, Marriage License Section at PO Box 2266, Opelika, Al 36803. We will mail a certified copy to you.  You may remit a check if you are a resident of  Lee County and your check reflects a Lee County address; please include your drivers license number.  All other payments should be in the form of a money order or cashier's check.