Auburn Genealogy Records Lookup

Auburn genealogy records are kept at the Lee County Probate Court and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Auburn is home to Auburn University, which has one of the best genealogy archives in east Alabama. The Auburn University Special Collections and Archives holds family papers, local history files, and rare documents that go back to the 1800s. Lee County handles all vital records for Auburn residents. The probate court in Opelika has marriage licenses from 1867 and other records that help trace family lines. This page shows you where to find birth, death, marriage, and other genealogy records for Auburn.

Where Are Auburn Genealogy Records Kept?

Auburn sits in Lee County. All vital records for Auburn residents go through Lee County offices. The Lee County Probate Court in Opelika is the main source for marriage licenses and estate records. The Circuit Clerk handles divorce cases. The Lee County Health Department can pull any Alabama vital record through the ViSION network.

The probate court is in Opelika, the county seat. Opelika is about 8 miles from Auburn. Most Auburn residents drive there to get copies of old records. The probate judge has marriage records from 1867, when Lee County was formed. Wills, estate files, and land records are also at this office.

Lee County was created in 1866 from parts of Macon, Russell, Tallapoosa, and Chambers counties. If your family lived in this area before 1866, you need to check those parent counties for records. This is a common issue for genealogy research in Auburn.

Auburn University Special Collections and Archives

Auburn University has a major genealogy resource that most people do not know about. The Special Collections and Archives department holds family papers, local history files, church records, and rare books. Researchers from all over the state come here to dig into east Alabama history.

The archives hold papers from Alabama families going back to the early 1800s. You can find letters, diaries, photos, and business records. These items give context that vital records alone cannot provide. The staff can help you find materials related to your family if they have ties to the Auburn area.

Some key collections for genealogy work include:

• Alabama county records on microfilm
• Census records for east Alabama counties
• Church records from Lee and nearby counties
• Newspaper files from Auburn and Opelika
• Family papers donated by local residents
• Land grant and deed records

The archives are free to use. You do not need to be a student or faculty member. Anyone can visit during open hours. Call ahead to let them know what you are looking for. Staff can pull materials before you arrive, which saves time. Some items are fragile, so you may need to use copies instead of originals.

How to Search Auburn Genealogy Records

You have several ways to find genealogy records in Auburn. Online searches work for some records. In-person visits give you access to more materials. Each method has its own benefits.

The Lee County Health Department can pull any Alabama vital record through the ViSION network. This means you can get a birth or death record from anywhere in the state without leaving Auburn. The office is at 900 Columbus Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801. Call (334) 745-5765 to ask about hours and what you need to bring.

For older records, the Lee County Probate Court is your main source. The office in Opelika has marriage licenses from 1867, wills, and estate records. You can search by name and get copies the same day. The probate staff can help you look up old records if you give them a name and rough date range.

Online options include:

• AlacourtAccess for court records from Lee County
• Alabama Digital Archives for census and military records
• FamilySearch for free genealogy databases
• Ancestry.com for indexed records (paid subscription)

The Auburn Public Library also has genealogy materials. The library holds local history books, old newspapers, and some family files. The address is 749 East Thach Avenue, Auburn, AL 36830. Call (334) 501-3190 to ask what they have for your research.

Birth and Death Records in Auburn

The state has birth and death records from 1908 to the present. For Auburn residents, you can get these records at the Lee County Health Department or by mail from the state office in Montgomery. You can also order online through VitalChek.

Birth records have a 125-year access rule. Only the person named on the record, parents, or legal guardians can get copies of birth records less than 125 years old. After 125 years, birth records are open to everyone. This matters for genealogy research because you may need to prove a family connection to get older records.

Death records have a 25-year rule. Close family and people with a direct interest can get death records less than 25 years old. After 25 years, death records become public. This makes them useful for tracing family lines of people who died before 1999.

Before 1908, check the Lee County Probate Court for death records. Some early records were kept by local officials. Church records can also fill in gaps, especially for the late 1800s. The Auburn University Archives has church records from several east Alabama congregations.

Marriage Records in Auburn

Marriage records for Auburn are at the Lee County Probate Court. The office has licenses from 1867 to now. Marriage records are public. Anyone can ask for a copy without proving a family link.

Lee County was formed in 1866. Marriage records start in 1867. If your family married in this area before 1866, you need to check the parent counties: Macon, Russell, Tallapoosa, or Chambers. These counties have older records that cover the Auburn area before Lee County existed.

In August 2019, Alabama changed its marriage law. The state no longer issues marriage licenses. Couples now sign a marriage certificate before a notary. This change does not affect old records. If you need a marriage record from before 2019, the probate court still has those files.

To get a marriage record from Lee County, you can visit in person, call, or mail a request. The fee varies by how many pages you need and whether you want a certified copy. Call the probate office at (334) 737-3670 to ask about current fees and what info you need to provide.

Divorce Records in Auburn

Divorce cases for Auburn residents are filed at the Lee County Circuit Court in Opelika. The Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce files. These records are public. Anyone can ask for copies.

The state has divorce certificates from 1950 to now. These short-form documents show that a divorce took place. The full divorce decree with all the details is at the circuit court. Most genealogy research needs the certificate, not the full case file.

You can search Lee County court records online at AlacourtAccess. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. This is a quick way to see if a divorce record exists before you visit in person.

Other Genealogy Sources in Auburn

Beyond vital records, Auburn has several other sources for family history research. These can help fill in gaps and give context to your family story.

Cemetery records are useful for genealogy. Auburn has several cemeteries with graves going back to the 1800s. Pine Hill Cemetery on North Gay Street has some of the oldest graves in the city. Memorial Park Cemetery has more recent burials. You can find burial dates, ages, and sometimes family connections on headstones.

Newspapers are another good source. The Opelika-Auburn News and its earlier versions go back many years. Old issues have birth, marriage, and death notices. They also have stories about local people and events. The Auburn University Archives has old newspaper files. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has more.

Church records fill in gaps before civil records began. Many Auburn churches have baptism, marriage, and burial records from the 1800s. Some of these records are at the Auburn University Archives. Others are still with the churches. Call ahead to ask if a church has old records you can view.

The Lee County Historical Society is another resource. The group collects local history and can point you to sources for genealogy research in the Auburn area. They hold meetings and events where you can connect with others researching Lee County families.

Tips for Auburn Genealogy Research

Start with what you know. Write down the names, dates, and places you already have. This helps you focus your search and avoid wasting time on the wrong records.

Lee County is young by Alabama standards. It was formed in 1866 from parts of four other counties. If your family lived here before that date, you need to check Macon, Russell, Tallapoosa, and Chambers counties for records. This is one of the biggest tips for Auburn genealogy work.

Auburn University grew from a small college in the 1850s. If your family had ties to the school, the university archives may have records. Faculty, staff, and student files can provide useful info. Alumni records go back to the early years of the school.

The railroad came to Auburn in the 1880s. This brought new people to the area. If your family moved to Auburn in that era, check railroad employment records. These can show where people came from and when they arrived.

Be ready to travel. The main records offices are in Opelika, the county seat. Auburn University is in Auburn itself. The state archives are in Montgomery, about 60 miles away. Plan your trips to hit multiple sources in one day when you can.

Lee County Genealogy Records

Auburn is in Lee County. All vital records, court cases, and estate files go through Lee County offices in Opelika. The county has marriage records from 1867, plus wills, land records, and other files that help with genealogy research. For more info on Lee County offices, full fee lists, and related resources, visit the Lee County genealogy records page.

View Lee County Genealogy Records

Nearby Alabama Cities

These major Alabama cities are near Auburn and may have genealogy resources for your research.