Search Alabama Genealogy Records
Alabama genealogy records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce documents kept by the state and all 67 counties. The Alabama Department of Public Health runs the Center for Health Statistics, which holds vital records from 1908 to the present day. County probate courts store older records that date back to the early 1800s. The ViSION network links all county health departments, so you can get any Alabama vital record from any county office. This guide shows you how to search these records for your family history research.
Alabama Genealogy Quick Facts
What Do Genealogy Records Show?
Genealogy records tell the story of your family. Birth records show the names of parents, the date and place of birth, and other key facts. Death records list the cause of death, the place, and often the names of the spouse and parents. Marriage records show both names, the date, and where the wedding took place. These records help you build a family tree and prove your lineage.
Alabama vital records hold more than just names and dates. You can find the birthplace of each parent, their ages, and their jobs. Death records may list where a person was born and how long they lived in Alabama. This data helps you trace your family back through time. Many people use these records for legal matters too, such as proving age or citizenship.
How Does Alabama Keep Records?
Alabama uses a hybrid system. The state keeps vital records at a central office. Counties also keep their own records. Both work together to give you access.
The ViSION network is the key. ViSION stands for Vital Statistics Image Oriented Network. It links all 67 county health departments to the state system. When you visit any county health office in Alabama, staff can pull up any vital record from the state database. You do not need to go to the county where the event took place. This makes record searches much easier than in most states.
County probate courts hold older records. Before 1908, the state did not keep vital records. You must check the county probate court for births and deaths from earlier years. Marriage licenses go back even further. Some Alabama counties have marriage records from 1799. Land and estate records at probate courts can also help with genealogy research.
Alabama Birth Records
The state has birth records from January 1908 to now. Before that date, check the county probate court. Mobile County has the oldest birth records in Alabama, dating back to 1871. Most other counties started keeping birth records in the early 1900s.
There is a 125-year rule for birth records. Records less than 125 years old are not fully public. Only certain people can get these records. You can get a birth record if you are the person named on it, a parent, or a legal guardian. Lawyers with a court order can also get copies. After 125 years, birth records become open to everyone.
Birth records show the child's full name, date of birth, and place of birth. They list the names of both parents, along with their ages, birthplaces, and jobs. Some records also show the name of the doctor or midwife. This info helps trace your family line through the generations.
Alabama Death Records
The state holds death records from January 1908 to the present. Mobile County has the oldest death records in Alabama, going back to 1820. Other counties have records that start in the late 1800s or early 1900s. For deaths before 1908, you need to check the county where the death took place.
Death records have a 25-year rule. Records less than 25 years old have some access limits. Close family members and people with a direct interest can get recent death records. After 25 years, death records are open to the public. This makes them useful for genealogy research on people who died more than 25 years ago.
A death record tells you a lot. It shows the date and place of death, plus the cause. It lists the person's age, birthplace, and how long they lived in Alabama. Many death records name the spouse and parents. This helps you link generations in your family tree.
Alabama Marriage Records
The state has marriage records from August 1936 to now. Marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link. This makes marriage records one of the best sources for genealogy work.
Older marriage records are at county probate courts. Some counties have licenses from the early 1800s. Madison County, the oldest county in Alabama, has marriage records from 1809. The probate judge in each county issued marriage licenses and kept the records. These old county records are a gold mine for family history.
In August 2019, Alabama changed its marriage law. The state no longer issues marriage licenses. Now, couples sign a marriage certificate before a notary. This change does not affect old records, but new marriages after 2019 have different paperwork.
Alabama Divorce Records
The state has divorce records from January 1950 to now. Divorce records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be part of the case. Circuit Court clerks also keep divorce case files at the county level. These files have more detail than the state certificate.
For divorces before 1950, check the Circuit Court in the county where the case was filed. The clerk keeps all the papers from the case. This includes the complaint, response, and final decree. Court records show the full story of the divorce, while the state certificate just proves it took place.
How to Search Alabama Records
You have several ways to find genealogy records in Alabama. Online search is the fastest method. In-person visits work when you need certified copies. Mail requests work for basic needs. Each method has its own pros and cons.
Start your search online at AlacourtAccess for court records. This system covers all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name or case number. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records at digital.archives.alabama.gov. These include old newspapers, photos, and government records.
For vital records, use VitalChek online or go to any county health department. Thanks to ViSION, any county office can give you any Alabama vital record. You can also mail your request to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. In-person visits are best when you need same-day service.
What Do Alabama Records Cost?
The state charges $15 for a record search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy in the same order costs $6. If you need a rush, add $15 for same-day service. VitalChek adds its own fees on top of the state rates.
County probate courts set their own fees. Most charge between $5 and $15 per search. Copy fees vary by page count. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call ahead to check the exact fees at the county you need.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History offers free access to many records. Their digital collection is free online. In-person visits to the research room are also free. You only pay if you need copies made by staff.
Where Are Records Kept?
The Alabama Department of Public Health is the main source. The Center for Health Statistics holds all state vital records. Their office is at RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 246, Montgomery, AL 36104. You can call them at (334) 206-5418.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History holds old records. This was the first state-funded archives in the nation, created in 1901. They have census records, military records, land grants, and much more. Their address is 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130.
County probate courts handle local records. Each of the 67 counties has a probate judge who keeps marriage licenses, wills, and estate records. Many counties also have land records from territorial days. These offices are great for pre-1908 genealogy research.
Lost Records in Alabama
More than 40% of Alabama counties lost records to courthouse fires. This is a common problem for genealogy research. Some counties lost everything. Others lost only part of their records. It helps to know which counties had fires before you start your search.
Walker County lost all records in an 1877 fire. Pickens County had fires in 1864, 1865, and 1876 that destroyed all records. Cherokee County lost many records in fires in 1882 and 1895. Chilton County records only go back to about 1870 due to record loss. If your family lived in one of these counties, you may need to use other sources like church records, newspaper archives, or federal census data.
Browse by Alabama County
Each county keeps its own records at the probate court. Pick a county below to find contact info, online resources, and local genealogy tips for that area.
Genealogy in Major Alabama Cities
Major cities have libraries and archives with local history collections. Pick a city below to find genealogy resources in that area.