Find Autauga County Genealogy Records

Autauga County genealogy records date back to 1818 when the county was formed from Montgomery County. The county seat is Prattville, which sits along Autauga Creek about 12 miles northwest of Montgomery. This central Alabama county holds birth, death, marriage, and probate records at the Autauga County Probate Court and the county health department. With a population of around 59,000, Autauga County is part of the Montgomery metropolitan area. Family history researchers will find records here that span more than 200 years. The probate court maintains marriage records, wills, and estate files going back to 1818, while vital records from the state system cover births and deaths from 1908 forward.

What Records Are Available

Autauga County holds a strong set of genealogy records. Birth and death records at the state level start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1818. The county also keeps land deeds, estate files, and court records from its early days.

The types of genealogy records you can find here include:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1818 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

Older birth and death records before 1908 are hard to find since the state did not track them. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles may fill in gaps for that era. Some old records sit at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in nearby Montgomery.

Autauga County Probate Court

The Autauga County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy work in this county. The court holds marriage records, will files, and estate records. The probate judge also handles adoptions and some mental health matters. In Alabama, the probate judge serves as the head of county government.

The probate court offers online access through an index search system. You can look up marriage records, deed records, and probate case numbers from home. The online tool shows basic data like names and dates. It does not show full document images. Once you find what you need, you can order copies by mail or pick them up in person at the Prattville courthouse.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to show a family link. This makes marriage records one of the best starting points for family history work in Autauga County. The court has marriage indexes going back to 1818 when the county was formed.

County Health Department

The Autauga County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, staff can pull any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to go to the county where the event took place. Any county health office in Alabama can access the state system.

There are rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have some limits. After these time periods pass, records open up to everyone for genealogy use.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. Bring a valid ID and know the details of the record you need. If you are not the person named on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. The office also takes mail requests.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Autauga County. Online searches work for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its own benefits.

Start with the online index for probate records. Go to the Autauga County Probate Court website and look for the records search link. You can search by name and date range. The system shows index data for marriages, probate cases, and deeds. It is free to use and open to the public.

For vital records, you have three options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records at their website. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order. This is a fast way to get records if you cannot visit in person.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is close by and worth a visit. It is only about 15 miles from Prattville. Their research room has a large collection of old Alabama records. Some Autauga County records from the 1800s are in their holdings. Staff can help you find what you need.

Online Access Options

Autauga County has online records access for basic searches. The probate court index lets you search marriage, deed, and probate records. The system is free and does not require an account. Search results show basic data, and you can note the record number to request a copy.

Other online resources for Autauga County genealogy include:

• AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
• Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
• Alabama GenWeb Autauga County page

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records online. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Autauga County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research.

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their collection grows all the time as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to access all their tools.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. You may find things that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook and a valid ID with you.

The Autauga County Probate Court is in downtown Prattville at the courthouse on West 5th Street. Go to the records room and ask for help. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The courthouse is easy to find and has parking nearby.

The Prattville-Autauga Public Library has local history materials. The library holds some genealogy books, old city directories, and local newspaper archives. Staff may be able to point you to sources that are not online. The library is at 254 Doster Street in Prattville.

Since Autauga County sits next to Montgomery, you have easy access to the state archives. The Alabama Department of Archives and History is about a 20-minute drive from Prattville. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records in the state. Many Autauga County probate records, land records, and other files from the 1800s are there. Staff can help you get started.

Local Genealogy Tips

Autauga County has some unique history that affects genealogy research. The county was formed in 1818 from parts of Montgomery County. Prattville was founded in 1839 by Daniel Pratt, who built a cotton gin factory there. Many early records relate to the cotton industry and the workers who came to the area.

The county did not suffer major courthouse fires, so records going back to 1818 are mostly intact. This is good news for researchers. Unlike some Alabama counties that lost records to fire or Civil War damage, Autauga County kept most of its early documents. Check the probate court for marriage records, wills, and land transactions from the early days.

Daniel Pratt's cotton gin factory drew workers from across the South and beyond. If your family came to Prattville in the 1840s or later, check factory records and local church records for clues. The Prattaugan, a local newspaper, has been published since 1854 and may have mentions of your family.

African American genealogy in Autauga County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. The county had a large enslaved population before the Civil War, and plantation records may provide clues about family connections.

Autauga County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit along with Chilton County and Elmore County. Some court records may be filed at the circuit level. If you cannot find a divorce or civil case in Autauga County, check with the circuit clerk for records that may be stored elsewhere.

Circuit Court Records

The Autauga County Circuit Clerk handles court records including divorces, civil cases, and criminal records. Divorce records from before 1950 are at the circuit court level since the state did not start tracking them until then. The circuit clerk office is in the same courthouse as the probate court.

The circuit clerk can help you find old divorce records, land disputes, and other court cases. These records often contain family details that do not show up elsewhere. A divorce file might list children's names, property details, and other facts useful for genealogy work.

Cities and Towns in Autauga County

Autauga County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Autauga County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The largest city is Prattville, which serves as the county seat.

Other communities in Autauga County include Autaugaville, Billingsley, Booth, Marbury, Pine Level, and Vida. None of these have populations over 50,000, so they do not have separate pages on this site. All genealogy records for these towns are kept at the county level in Prattville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Autauga County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time. An ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect.