Find Genealogy Records in Elmore County

Elmore County genealogy records offer a strong foundation for tracing family roots in central Alabama. The county was formed in 1866 from parts of Autauga, Coosa, Montgomery, and Tallapoosa counties, so records here begin around that time. The county seat of Wetumpka houses the probate court where marriage licenses, will files, and estate records are kept. Elmore County sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit and has a population of about 88,000 people. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in nearby Montgomery holds many older records that fill gaps in local files. Researchers will find solid resources at the probate court, county health department, and state archives when searching Elmore County family history.

What Records Are Available

Elmore County keeps 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 1867. The county also has land deeds, estate files, and court records. Most early records remain intact since no major courthouse fires struck this county.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1867 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge records

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, which is just 20 miles south of Wetumpka. This close distance makes it easy to visit both locations in one trip.

Elmore County Probate Court

The Elmore 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 Elmore County probate functions are in Wetumpka at the county courthouse.

Elmore County uses a digital record system. Some index data is available through county terminals. The staff can search records and help you find what you need. Full document images may require an in-person visit, but the index can tell you if a record exists. Staff are helpful and know the local records well.

Marriage records are a strong point for this office. They have records going back to 1867, just after the county was formed. The indexes are well kept and easy to search. Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family connection. This makes marriage records one of the best starting points for Elmore County genealogy work.

The courthouse sits in downtown Wetumpka near the Coosa River. Street parking is available near the building. Bring a valid ID when you visit. The probate office is on the main floor and staff can direct you to the records room. Plan to spend at least an hour if you want to search multiple record types.

County Health Department

The Elmore 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. This means most records useful for family history research are available to the public.

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.

Alabama Department of Archives and History

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is a must-visit for Elmore County research. Located just 20 miles south in Montgomery, this is the first state-funded archives in the nation. Founded in 1901, the archives holds millions of records from all 67 Alabama counties.

The archives has records you will not find in Elmore County offices:

• Old probate records transferred from counties
• Confederate pension files and military records
• Census records and tax lists
• Newspapers on microfilm from across the state
• Family history books and bible records
• Church records from many Alabama congregations
• Maps, land surveys, and plat books
• Photos and oral history recordings

Since Elmore County formed in 1866, some early records may actually be in the parent county files. The archives can help you trace records to Autauga, Coosa, Montgomery, or Tallapoosa counties for events before 1866. Staff know these connections and can guide your search.

Plan to spend a full day at the archives if you can. The reading room has microfilm readers, copy machines, and free WiFi. Staff can pull records from storage for you. Some items need advance notice. Call ahead if you need a specific record that may be in off-site storage. The short drive from Wetumpka makes this a practical option for serious researchers.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Elmore 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 its own benefits.

Start with online tools. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com has court records from Elmore County. FamilySearch has free indexed records from Alabama. The Alabama Department of Archives has some digital collections online. These tools let you search from home and narrow down what you need before visiting in person.

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

Online Access Options

Elmore County has growing online access to records. The state court system has records through AlacourtAccess. Several free sites have Elmore County materials as well. More records come online each year as digitization projects continue.

Online resources for Elmore 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
• Elmore County GIS for property maps
• Find A Grave for cemetery records

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Confederate pension files are fully digitized and free to search. 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. Many Elmore County marriage records have been indexed and are searchable for free.

In-Person Research

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 Elmore County Probate Court is in the Wetumpka 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 main floor and easy to find. Wetumpka is a small town, so parking and getting around is simple.

Combine your Elmore County trip with a visit to Montgomery. The Alabama Department of Archives has records from the whole state. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery can also help with vital records. Since Montgomery is just 20 miles away, you can hit both locations in one day if you plan well.

Bring these items when you visit any office:

• Valid photo ID
• List of names and dates you are searching
• Notebook and pen for taking notes
• Cash or card for copy fees
• Phone or camera if photos are allowed

Call ahead if you plan to visit. Staff can tell you what records they have and if any limits apply. Some offices close for lunch or have shorter hours on certain days. A quick call saves time and prevents wasted trips.

Local Genealogy Tips

Elmore County has a unique history that affects genealogy research. The county formed in 1866 from parts of four other counties. If your family lived here before that date, check records in Autauga, Coosa, Montgomery, or Tallapoosa counties. An ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect.

The Coosa River runs through the county. Wetumpka sits right on the river, and many early settlers lived along the water. River trade and mills drew families to this area. Check for family names in old land records near the river. The falls at Wetumpka made it a natural place for industry in the 1800s.

Fort Toulouse was a French colonial fort near the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. This area has deep history going back to the 1700s. If your family has very old roots here, check early colonial records and Native American records. The Creek Nation lived in this area before removal in the 1830s.

The Civil War touched Elmore County. Confederate pension files at the state archives may have family details like names of spouses and children. Military service records and unit rosters are also available. Many Elmore County men served in Alabama regiments during the war.

African American genealogy in Elmore County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files from the post-war years. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. Some plantation records survived and may list names of enslaved people.

Check cemetery records carefully. Old cemeteries in Elmore County have headstones that may be the only record of a birth or death date. Find A Grave and other online databases have many Elmore County cemeteries indexed. Some rural cemeteries are hard to find, so local historical societies may have maps and guides.

Cities in Elmore County

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

Cities and communities in Elmore County include Wetumpka (the county seat), Millbrook, Prattville (partly in Elmore, partly in Autauga County), Tallassee, Eclectic, Coosada, Elmore, and Deatsville. None of these cities have separate genealogy offices. All records go through the county probate court and health department. Wetumpka is the best place to start your search.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Elmore 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. Elmore County was formed from parts of four other counties in 1866, so check parent county records for earlier dates.