Coffee County Genealogy Records

Coffee County genealogy records are held at two courthouse locations because the county has two county seats. Elba serves as the original county seat, while Enterprise became a second county seat in 1929. This dual arrangement is rare in Alabama. The Coffee County Probate Court maintains marriage licenses, wills, and estate files at both locations. Birth, death, and marriage records are available through the county health department. The county sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama, an area known for its agricultural heritage and strong family roots going back to the early 1800s.

Two Courthouse Locations

Coffee County is one of only a few Alabama counties with two county seats. This setup came about in 1929 when Enterprise, in the northern part of the county, was named a second seat. Elba remained the original seat in the south. Both towns have a courthouse with full county services.

For genealogy research, this means you have two places to check records. The probate court operates at both locations. You can file for marriage licenses, request copies of wills, or search estate records at either courthouse. The records are the same system, so it does not matter which one you visit. Pick the location closest to you.

The dual seat system started because of geography. Coffee County stretches across a large area. In the early days, travel was hard. Residents in the north had to go all the way to Elba for court business. Adding Enterprise as a second seat made things easier for everyone.

Coffee County Probate Court

The Coffee County Probate Court handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, and land records. This is the main office for genealogy files. The court has records going back to 1841 when the county was formed.

Marriage records are a key source for family history. The probate court has marriage licenses from 1889 forward. Earlier records from 1841 to 1888 were lost in a courthouse fire. If you need marriage data from before 1889, try church records or the Alabama Department of Archives.

Wills and estate files are held at the probate court. These records show who inherited property and list family members. Estate inventories can tell you what an ancestor owned. Administrator bonds name relatives who settled the estate. These documents are rich in detail for genealogy work.

The probate court also has land records. Deeds show property transfers between family members. Land was often passed down through generations. Deed books can trace a family's movements and help confirm relationships.

Elba Courthouse

Enterprise Courthouse

Coffee County Health Department

The Coffee County Health Department issues vital records. Through the Alabama ViSION system, staff can pull birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from anywhere in the state. You do not need to visit the county where the event occurred.

Birth records in Alabama start in 1908. Death records also begin that year. Before 1908, the state did not require vital records registration. For earlier births and deaths, you will need church records, cemetery logs, or family documents.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth certificates less than 125 years old are restricted. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have limits too. Records older than these periods are open to anyone for genealogy research.

Walk-in requests are usually processed the same day. Bring a valid photo ID and the details of the record you need. Staff will search the state database and print your document while you wait.

Coffee County Circuit Court

The Coffee County Circuit Court is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Geneva and Dale counties. The circuit court handles civil and criminal cases, including divorces.

Divorce records are useful for genealogy. They can reveal maiden names, ages, children, and property. The circuit court has the full case files. The health department has an index of divorces but not the detailed documents.

You can search some court records online through Alacourt. Go to pa.alacourt.com and select Coffee County. The system shows case index data. For full documents, contact the court or visit in person.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

Coffee County has a solid collection of records for family research. The 1888 courthouse fire destroyed some early files, but many records survived or were rebuilt. Here is what you can find.

Types of genealogy records in Coffee County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present (state system)
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1889 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1841
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge papers

For records before 1889, the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is your best bet. They have state copies of some Coffee County files. Census records, church records, and cemetery data can also fill in the gaps from the fire years.

Wiregrass Region Research

Coffee County sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. This area got its name from the native wiregrass that once covered the land. The region has a distinct history that affects genealogy research.

The Wiregrass was settled later than other parts of Alabama. Most families arrived in the 1830s and 1840s. Many came from Georgia, the Carolinas, and other parts of Alabama. If your family was in Coffee County early on, check records in these states too.

The area was mostly small farms, not large plantations. This means fewer records of enslaved people compared to the Black Belt counties. But there are still African American genealogy sources. Freedmen's Bureau records, church files, and post-war documents can help trace Black families in the area.

The Wiregrass Genealogical Society covers Coffee County and nearby areas. They have meetings, workshops, and a library of local records. Members can help you find sources and answer questions about the region.

Local Genealogy Resources

Several local resources can help with Coffee County research. These go beyond the courthouse and health department.

The Enterprise Public Library has a local history room. They hold old newspapers, city directories, and some family files. Staff can point you to sources for Coffee County research. The library also offers free access to Ancestry and other databases.

The Elba Public Library is smaller but still useful. They have local history materials and can help with Elba area families. Both libraries are good starting points for in-person research.

Enterprise is known for the Boll Weevil Monument. This statue marks a turning point in local history when farmers switched from cotton to peanuts. Family stories about farming and agriculture are common in the area. Old farm records and agricultural extension files can add context to your research.

Fort Rucker, now called Fort Novosel, is in Coffee County. Many military families have lived here since the base opened in 1942. If your family had ties to the Army, military records may be relevant. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis holds service records.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search Coffee County records. Online tools work for basic lookups. In-person visits give you access to full documents. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need.

Start with online searches. FamilySearch at familysearch.org has free records including census data and some Alabama vital records. Ancestry at ancestry.com has more but requires a subscription. Many libraries offer free Ancestry access.

The Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com lets you search court records online. Select Coffee County and search by name. The index shows case numbers and dates. For full documents, you must contact the clerk or visit.

For vital records, VitalChek is the state's online partner. Go to vitalchek.com to order birth, death, marriage, or divorce records. There is a service fee on top of the state fee. This is the fastest option if you cannot visit in person.

Call the probate court before visiting. Staff can tell you what they have and save you a trip if the record does not exist. Both the Elba and Enterprise offices can search the system. Pick whichever is more convenient.

Online Resources

Several websites have Coffee County genealogy records. Most are free. Here are the main ones to check.

FamilySearch at familysearch.org is free. They have census records, some vital records, and church records. Their Alabama collection keeps growing as volunteers add data. Create a free account to save your research.

The Alabama Department of Archives has digitized records. Go to digital.archives.alabama.gov to search their collection. They have old newspapers, photographs, and government documents. Some Coffee County materials are online.

Find A Grave at findagrave.com has cemetery records. Volunteers photograph gravestones and upload the data. Search for Coffee County to find local cemeteries. This is free and useful for death dates and family plots.

The USGenWeb project has a Coffee County page. Volunteers post transcribed records, lookups, and queries. The site is free and can connect you with other researchers working on Coffee County families.

Cities and Towns in Coffee County

Coffee County has several towns but none with a population over 50,000. Enterprise is the largest at around 28,000 people. Elba, the original county seat, has about 4,000 residents. Other towns include New Brockton, Kinston, and Jack.

All residents use the Coffee County Probate Court for marriage licenses and the county health department for vital records. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama. Everything goes through the county, which you can access at either the Elba or Enterprise courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coffee County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. Early settlers often moved between counties. Land sometimes crossed what later became borders.

Dale County to the east shares the 12th Judicial Circuit with Coffee. Geneva County to the south is also in the same circuit. Families often appear in records across these three counties.