During the 2016 session of the Alabama legislature, House Bill 332 was introduced by Representative Mike Jones, Jr., of Alabama’s 92nd District.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on May 3, 2016, and it effectively abolishes future common law marriage in Alabama.

Specifically, the new law states that “no common-law marriage may be entered into in this state on or after January 1, 2017.”

Valid common-law marriages, entered into before January 1, 2017, shall continue to be valid, however.