Find Genealogy Records in Dale County

Dale County genealogy records date back to 1824 when the county was formed from parts of Henry and Covington counties. The county seat is Ozark, where the Dale County Probate Court holds marriage licenses, will files, and estate records. This southeast Alabama county has about 49,000 residents and sits in the 33rd Judicial Circuit. Fort Novosel, formerly known as Fort Rucker, is located here. The military base has brought many families to the area over the years. Researchers will find records at the probate court, the county health department, and the local library. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also has some Dale County materials.

What Records Are Available

Dale County has many types of genealogy records. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to the 1820s. The county also has land deeds, estate files, and court records. Most early records are still intact since no major courthouse fires hit this county.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1824 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military records related to Fort Novosel

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Alabama did not keep statewide vital records back then. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for events from that time. Some old records are held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Church records from local Baptist and Methodist congregations can also fill in gaps.

Dale County Probate Court

The Dale County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy research in this county. The court keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and some mental health matters. The probate judge heads county government in Alabama. All Dale County probate work happens at the courthouse in Ozark.

Dale County has marriage records going back nearly 200 years. The indexes are well kept and staff can help you search. Many researchers start here when tracing Dale County families. You can visit in person or make a phone call to ask about specific records before you visit.

The probate court handles more than just marriages. Estate files show who died, what they owned, and who got their property. Wills give names of family members and sometimes list exact relationships. Guardian records show minor children and who cared for them. All of these help build a family tree.

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 Dale County. Bring a name and rough date range to speed up your search.

County Health Department

The Dale 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 happened. Any county health office in Alabama can pull records from the state system.

There are access rules for vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits on who can get them. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can request 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.

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 for those who cannot visit.

Fort Novosel and Military Records

Fort Novosel, formerly called Fort Rucker, is a major Army aviation base in Dale County. The base has been here since 1942. Thousands of military families have lived in the area over the decades. This creates a unique genealogy situation. Many people were born, married, or died here but have roots in other states.

Military personnel records are kept by the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, not by the county. But you may find traces of military families in local records. Marriage licenses at the probate court often show military families. Church records in Ozark and nearby towns mention service members. The local newspaper carried stories about base events and people.

If you are looking for a family member who served at Fort Novosel, try these sources:

• National Personnel Records Center for service records
• Dale County Probate Court for marriage licenses
• Local newspapers for community news
• Church records from Ozark area congregations
• Cemetery records from local burial sites

The base itself has some historical records. The U.S. Army Aviation Museum on base has photos and documents from the base history. They may not have personal records, but they can help you understand what units were here and when. This context can help you search other military archives.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Dale County. Online searches work for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need. Each method has pros and cons.

Start with online tools. The Alabama court system has records through AlacourtAccess. FamilySearch has free indexed records. These tools let you search from home and narrow down what you need before visiting in person. This saves time and helps you plan your trip.

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 Ozark Dale County Public Library has local history resources. They keep old newspapers, local history books, and some genealogy guides. Staff know the area and can point you to sources. It is worth a stop when doing Dale County research.

Online Access Options

Dale County has some online access to records. The state court system has records through AlacourtAccess. Several free sites have Dale County materials as well. Online tools let you search from home before you visit in person.

Online resources for Dale County genealogy:

• 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
• USGenWeb Dale County page

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Some Dale 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. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their collection grows as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to access all their tools and save your 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.

The Dale County Probate Court is in the Ozark courthouse. Go to the probate office and ask for help. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The office is on the square in downtown Ozark.

The Ozark Dale County Public Library has local history materials. Old newspapers, city directories, and local history books are in their collection. Staff are helpful and know the area well. The library also gives free access to some paid genealogy sites.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is about 80 miles away. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Dale County probate records from the 1800s are there. Staff can help you find what you need. Plan to spend a full day if you make the trip.

Local Genealogy Tips

Dale County has some unique factors that affect genealogy research. The county is one of the older ones in Alabama. It was formed in 1824, just five years after Alabama became a state. Early settlers came from Georgia, the Carolinas, and other southern states. Many were farmers who grew cotton and raised livestock.

The Wiregrass region has a distinct culture. Dale County sits in this part of southeast Alabama. Families here had ties to other Wiregrass counties like Coffee, Geneva, and Houston. If you cannot find your family in Dale County records, check these nearby counties. People moved around the region as land opened up.

Church records fill gaps in early vital records. Baptist, Methodist, and Holiness churches have long histories here. Many kept birth, marriage, and death logs before the state did. Contact local churches or check if their records have been donated to the Alabama Department of Archives.

African American genealogy in Dale County can be challenging. Freedmen's Bureau records from after the Civil War are a key source. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Some plantation records also survive and may name enslaved people. Check census records from 1870 and later for your first solid data.

The Dale County Historical Society can help with local research. Members know the area and may have leads on family records. They sometimes hold workshops and programs on local history. Check if they have any guides or publications about Dale County families.

Cemetery Records

Cemeteries are important sources for genealogy. Dale County has many old burial grounds. Some are well kept and easy to find. Others are small family plots in rural areas that are harder to locate. Cemetery records can give birth dates, death dates, and family relationships.

Key cemeteries in Dale County:

• Woodlawn Cemetery in Ozark
• Newton Cemetery in Newton
• Enterprise City Cemetery (in neighboring Coffee County)
• Various church cemeteries throughout the county
• Small family plots on private land

FindAGrave and BillionGraves have photos and transcriptions from many Dale County cemeteries. These free websites let you search for names and see grave markers. Volunteers add new data all the time. If you find a gap, consider visiting and photographing stones yourself.

The Dale County Historical Society has worked to document local cemeteries. They may have records that are not online. Old cemetery surveys from the 1930s and 1940s sometimes captured stones that have since become unreadable. Check the Alabama Department of Archives for these early surveys.

Cities in Dale County

Dale County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Dale County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Ozark office serves the whole county.

Major communities in Dale County include Ozark (the county seat), Daleville (near Fort Novosel), Midland City, Newton, and Pinckard. None of these cities have their own vital records offices. All genealogy records go through the county offices in Ozark.

Daleville grew because of the military base. Many service members and their families lived there. If you are tracing a military family, Daleville records at the county level may help. Check marriage records and property records for leads.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dale 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. Dale County was formed from parts of Henry and Covington counties.