Search Baldwin County Genealogy Records
Baldwin County genealogy records date back to 1809 when the county was created from Washington County. This Gulf Coast county is the largest in Alabama by land area and sits on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. The county seat is Bay Minette, though it has moved several times over the years. Earlier seats were at McIntosh Bluff, Blakely, and Daphne before settling in Bay Minette in 1901. Family historians will find a strong collection of records here, with probate files going back to 1809 and marriage records from 1810. The Baldwin County Archives has wills, deeds, and court records dating to 1804.
Baldwin County Quick Facts
What Records Are Available
Baldwin County has a wide range of records for family history research. Birth and death records from the state start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1810. The county also has land deeds from 1808, estate files, and court records. Some records are even older because Baldwin County was formed before Alabama became a state.
Types of genealogy records you can find:
- Birth records from 1908 to present
- Death records from 1908 to present
- Marriage records from 1810 to present
- Probate records from 1809 to present
- Land and deed records from 1808
- Wills from 1809 to 1934 (many indexed)
- Estate case files from 1841 to 1950
- Tax records and voter rolls
- Court case files
- Census records from 1810, 1816, 1820, 1830, and later
Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. The state did not keep these records back then. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for births and deaths from that era. The Baldwin County Archives has some early records, and the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery holds others.
Baldwin County Probate Court
The Baldwin County Probate Court is a key source for genealogy work. The court keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and other family matters. The probate judge is the head of county government in Alabama. Baldwin County has three probate office locations to serve the public.
The probate court has online access through the Delta Computer Systems portal. This free tool lets you search court records from home. You can find marriage licenses, probate case numbers, and recording data. The system does not show full document images, but it tells you what records exist. Then you can request copies by mail or in person.
Marriage records are only filed at the Bay Minette location. If you need a marriage certificate, you must go there or send a mail request to that office. The other locations can help with property records and some court matters, but marriages are handled at the main courthouse.
| Bay Minette Office |
220 Courthouse Square Bay Minette, AL 36507 Phone: (251) 937-0230 |
|---|---|
| Fairhope Office |
1100 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL 36532 Phone: (251) 928-3002 |
| Foley Office |
201 East Section Avenue Foley, AL 36535 Phone: (251) 943-5061 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | baldwincountyal.gov/government/probate-office |
Marriage records at the probate court 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 in Baldwin County. The court has marriage indexes from 1810 to the present day.
County Health Department
The Baldwin County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to visit the county where the event took place. The health office in Robertsdale can pull records from the state system for you.
There are access rules for 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, the records become open to all for genealogy use.
| Main Office |
Baldwin County Health Department 22251 Palmer Street Robertsdale, AL 36567 Phone: (251) 947-3618 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Environmental/Vital Statistics: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/baldwin |
Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. You must 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.
Baldwin County Archives and History
The Baldwin County Department of Archives and History is a treasure for genealogy research. This facility holds records that span over 200 years of county history. Many older records are here that you will not find at the probate court or health department.
Records held at the Archives include:
- Wills, deeds, liens and mortgage records from 1804 to 1954
- Census records from 1810, 1816, 1820, 1830, 1850, and 1880
- Census of the Creek Nation from 1833
- Marriage licenses from the 1800s and 1900s
- Land records from 1890 to 1950
- Tax books from 1890 to 1979
- Plat books from 1830 to 1979
- Historical circuit court cases
- County newspapers on microfilm, CD, and bound volumes
The Archives has an online catalog at baldwinco.pastperfectonline.com. You can search their collections from home. The site shows what records they have and where to find them. Staff are happy to help with research questions. You can call, email, or visit in person.
The Heritage Families program lets you register your family if you had an ancestor in Baldwin County before 1920. You need to show proof with a birth certificate, census record, deed, or other valid document. Many families have joined this program to honor their roots in the county.
| Archives Office |
Baldwin County Archives and History 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10 Bay Minette, AL 36507 Phone: (251) 580-1897 |
|---|---|
| Website | baldwincountyal.gov/departments/archives-history |
How to Search Records
You have several ways to search genealogy records in Baldwin 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 pros and cons.
Start with the Delta Computer Systems portal for probate records. Go to the website and 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. You can find record numbers to request copies.
For vital records, you have three options:
- Visit the county health department in Robertsdale in person
- Mail a request to the health department or state office
- 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.
Online Access Options
Baldwin County has good online records for a county of its size. The Delta Computer Systems probate index is the main tool for older records. The county also has a public records portal called Open Baldwin. These free tools let you search from home.
Online resources for Baldwin County genealogy:
- Delta Computer Systems probate index at deltacomputersystems.com
- Open Baldwin public records at open.baldwincountyal.gov
- AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
- Baldwin County Archives online catalog at baldwinco.pastperfectonline.com
- Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
- FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
- Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their Baldwin County collection includes wills from 1809 to 1934, probate records from 1861 to 1929, probate minutes from 1822 to 1928, and estate case files from 1841 to 1950. Create a free account to access all their tools.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Baldwin County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research.
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 Baldwin County Probate Court is in the Bay Minette courthouse. 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 Fairhope and Foley offices offer some services too, but marriage records are only at Bay Minette.
The Baldwin County Archives is a must visit for deep research. Their collection goes back to 1804. You can view old wills, deeds, census records, and newspapers. The staff know the local history and can point you to sources that might not be obvious. The Archives also has nearly 100 video recordings about county history available online.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the trip for serious research. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. The drive from Bay Minette takes about three hours, but the resources are worth it for difficult cases.
Local Genealogy Tips
Baldwin County has a long history. It was formed on December 21, 1809, ten years before Alabama became a state. The county was named after Abraham Baldwin, a Georgia senator who signed the U.S. Constitution. Many early settlers came from Georgia and brought the name with them.
The county seat has moved several times. McIntosh Bluff was the first seat in 1809. It moved to Blakely in 1820, then to Daphne in 1868, and finally to Bay Minette in 1901. Records from each era may be filed under different towns. Check all the old seat locations when looking for early records.
Baldwin County borders Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This made it a center for shipping and trade. Many families worked in fishing, timber, and farming. The Creek Nation was here before European settlement. A Census of the Creek Nation from 1833 is held at the Archives and may help trace Native American ancestry.
The Baldwin County Genealogical Society can help with local research. Members meet to share tips and work on projects. You can reach them at BaldwinGenealogy@gmail.com or write to PO Box 108, Foley, AL 36536. Joining a local group can speed up your search and connect you with others who know the area.
Church records are important for pre-1908 births and deaths. Many families attended Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic churches. Cemetery records can also fill gaps. The county has many old cemeteries along the bay and in small towns. Local historical societies often have burial records that are not online.
Cities in Baldwin County
Baldwin County has over a dozen cities and towns. All of them use the Baldwin County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Bay Minette office handles most genealogy requests. Daphne is the largest city by population, followed by Fairhope and Foley.
Major cities and towns in Baldwin County include Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Spanish Fort, Robertsdale, Loxley, Elberta, Magnolia Springs, Perdido Beach, Silverhill, and Summerdale. All of these use the Baldwin County offices for genealogy records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Baldwin County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect. Baldwin was carved from Washington County in 1809, so very early records may be in Washington.