Find Genealogy Records in Bullock County

Bullock County genealogy records are kept at the Probate Court in Union Springs. The county has birth, death, marriage, and land records that date back to 1866 when the county was formed.

What Records Are Available

Bullock County has genealogy records that go back to 1866. The county was carved out of Macon, Pike, Montgomery, and Barbour counties. This means some older family records may be found in those parent counties. The Probate Court is the main source for most genealogy research here. They hold marriage records, will files, and estate papers.

Types of records you can find in Bullock County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present (through state system)
• Death records from 1908 to present (through state system)
• Marriage records from 1866 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1866
• Land deeds and property records
• Tax rolls and voter lists
• Court case files

Birth and death records before 1908 are hard to find. Alabama did not start statewide vital records until that year. For older births and deaths, you may need to look at church records, cemetery files, or old family bibles. Some of these can be found at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. They have a large collection of old records from across the state.

Bullock County Probate Court

The Bullock County Probate Court handles most genealogy records in the county. This office keeps marriage licenses, will files, estate records, and land deeds. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama. For family history research, the probate court is your first stop.

Marriage records at this office date back to 1866. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage record. You do not need to prove a family connection. This makes marriage records one of the best sources for genealogy in Bullock County. The staff can search their index books and pull the file you need.

Probate and estate records can tell you a lot about your ancestors. Wills list family members and property. Estate files show who got what when someone died. These records often name children, spouses, and other kin. They can help you build a family tree even when vital records are missing.

Land records are another good source. Deeds show who bought and sold property. They often list where a person came from and who their neighbors were. In rural Bullock County, land passed down through families for generations. Following deed records can trace your family line back through time.

Getting Vital Records

Birth and death records in Alabama are handled through the state ViSION system. This means you can get Bullock County vital records from any county health department in the state. You do not have to travel to Union Springs if another office is closer. The records all come from the same state database.

The Bullock County Health Department in Union Springs can help with vital records. They have access to all Alabama birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in the state system. Walk-in service is usually same day if the record is in the database.

There are rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old are not open to everyone. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal rep can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have some limits too. Older records are open for genealogy research.

You can also order vital records online through VitalChek. This is the state's approved online partner. Go to vitalchek.com to place an order. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee. It is a good option if you cannot visit in person or prefer not to mail a check.

How to Search Records

Bullock County is a small county with limited online access. Most searches require a visit to the courthouse or a phone call. However, there are some ways to search from home before you make the trip.

Start with free online resources. FamilySearch has indexed Alabama records that include some Bullock County data. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digital collections you can browse. These sites can help you find names and dates before you request official copies.

Useful online resources for Bullock County:

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

For in-person research, plan your visit during business hours. Bring a valid ID and a list of the names and dates you want to search. Staff at the probate court can help you use the index books. Take notes or ask about copy fees if you find what you need.

Mail requests work well if you know what record you need. Write a letter with the full name, date, and type of record. Include your contact info and a check for the fee. The probate court and health department both accept mail requests.

Research Tips for Bullock County

Bullock County was formed in 1866 from parts of four other counties. If your ancestor lived here before that date, look in Macon, Pike, Montgomery, or Barbour County. The lines were redrawn, so old records stayed with the parent county.

The county was named for Colonel Edward C. Bullock, a lawyer and secessionist. The area has a long history tied to cotton farming. Many residents in the 1800s were enslaved people or their descendants. African American genealogy here often requires looking at Freedmen's Bureau records and plantation files.

Church records can fill gaps when vital records are missing. Many old churches kept their own logs of baptisms, marriages, and burials. The Alabama Department of Archives has some of these records. Local historical societies may have others.

Census records are another key source. Federal census records from 1870 onward list all residents by name. The 1870 census was the first to list formerly enslaved people by name. Earlier censuses only counted enslaved people by age and gender under the slaveholder's name.

Some Bullock County records were lost or damaged over the years. If you cannot find a record, try alternate sources. Newspapers from Union Springs sometimes listed births, deaths, and marriages. Old tax rolls can show who lived where and when. Cemetery stones can confirm dates and family ties.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Bullock County follow state guidelines. The health department charges $15 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from the state system.

Probate court fees are set by state law:

• Marriage license copy: $5.00
• Certified marriage record: $10.00
• Search fee: varies by request
• Deed copy: based on page count
• Probate file copy: based on page count

VitalChek adds a service fee to all orders. The amount depends on how fast you want your record. Standard delivery costs less. Rush orders cost more. There may be an extra charge for phone orders.

Many genealogy resources are free. FamilySearch does not charge for access. The Alabama Archives digital collection is free online. Public libraries often have Ancestry and other paid sites you can use at no cost.

Cities in Bullock County

Bullock County has a few small towns. Union Springs is the county seat and largest town. Other communities include Midway and Perote. All of them use the Bullock County Probate Court for marriage and estate records. The county health department handles vital records for the whole county.

Union Springs has a population of about 3,500. It is the only incorporated city of any size in the county. The town has a historic downtown area with old buildings from the 1800s. Genealogy researchers may find local history resources at the Union Springs Public Library or area churches.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bullock County. Check records in nearby counties if your family lived near the county line. County borders have changed over time, and an ancestor may show up in a different county than you expect. Bullock County was carved from parts of these neighboring counties in 1866.