Alabama votes to end marriage licenses

Alabama’s House voted on Thursday to end the requirement for a marriage license in the state.

The bill ends the requirements for both a license and a wedding ceremony, according to AL.com. If the governor signs the legislation, marriage in the state will only require a couple to file for a certificate.

{mosads}After being passed by the state Senate and House, the bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to be potentially signed into law.

The legislation works around the Alabama probate judges who have refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015.

Under the new law, a judge will only need to record an affidavit filed in a courthouse or county office to make any marriage official.

Advocates say the new law will require judges to treat all marriages as equal under Alabama law. Critics say it provides cover to biased judges and harms the wedding industry.