Under existing law, to solemnize a marriage, the only requirement is for the parties to be married to submit an affidavit with certain identifying information and record it with the judge of probate within 30 days of the last signature of the affidavit. This bill would recognize the traditional marriage solemnization practices of certain religious societies, including Quakers and Mennonites, as lawful marriages, provided the parties to be married are otherwise legally authorized to do so. This bill would exempt such traditional marriage solemnization practices from the requirement that marriages be recorded by the judge of probate in order to be legally valid. Also under existing law, a marriage is valid on the date the marriage is executed by both parties. This bill would allow parties entering into a marriage who engage in a marriage ceremony to designate the date of the marriage ceremony as the date the marriage became valid.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30-1-9, 30-1-9, 30-1-9