State Information
Government Website:
http://www.alabama.gov/government/index.php
|
Outline of State Law
|
|
| Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage |
1998 - State Law Passed. |
2006 - Constitutional Amendment Passed |
| State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage |
yes |
yes |
| State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman |
no |
yes |
| State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States |
no |
yes |
| State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy |
no |
no |
| State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife |
no |
no |
Statutory Provision
Ala. Stat. § 30-1-19.
Marriage, recognition thereof, between persons of the same sex prohibited.
(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Alabama Marriage Protection Act."
(b) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting the unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.
(c) Marriage is a sacred covenant, solemnized between a man and a woman, which, when the legal capacity and consent of both parties is present, establishes their relationship as husband and wife, and which is recognized by the state as a civil contract.
(d) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.
(e) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.
Constitutional Provision
Ala. Const. amend. 774
Sanctity of Marriage Amendment.
(a) This amendment shall be known and may be cited as the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment.
(b) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting this unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.
(c) Marriage is a sacred covenant, solemnized between a man and a woman, which, when the legal capacity and consent of both parties is present, establishes their relationship as husband and wife, and which is recognized by the state as a civil contract.
(d) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.
(e) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.
(f) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any common law marriage of parties of the same sex.
(g) A union replicating marriage of or between persons of the same sex in the State of Alabama or in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state as a marriage or other union replicating marriage.
Current Legislative Activity
|
U.S. Senators
|
|
Jeff Sessions, Republican
http://sessions.senate.gov/
This senator was elected in 1996, so therefore didn't vote for the federal DOMA in 1996. The senator voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Richard Shelby, Republican
http://shelby.senate.gov/
This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
State Public Policy Organizations Working on Marriage Issues
Alabama Policy Institute
Click here to return to the Marriage in the 50 States main page.