Search Houston County Genealogy Records

Houston County genealogy records date back to 1903 when the county was formed from parts of Dale, Geneva, and Henry counties. This was the last county created in Alabama, and the state legislature approved its formation on February 9, 1903. Dothan serves as the county seat and holds most county records at the probate court and circuit clerk offices. The Wiregrass Archives at Troy University Dothan Campus offers specialized regional collections that cover southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida. Family history researchers will find the Local History Room at the Dothan Houston County Library helpful for census data, newspaper archives, and heritage books covering all 67 Alabama counties.

What Records Are Available

Houston County has a solid range of genealogy records. Since the county was created in 1903, records here do not go as far back as older Alabama counties. Birth and death records from the state start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court begin in 1903. The county also holds land deeds, estate files, and court records from its founding year.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1903 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court (1903 to present)
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

For records before 1903, you need to check the parent counties. About 72 percent of Houston County came from Henry County. The rest came from Dale and Geneva counties. If your family lived in this area before 1903, start with Henry County records in Abbeville. That is where most older Wiregrass records are kept.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also holds many older records. They have microfilm copies of census data, military records, and some county documents that predate Houston County's formation. This is a good backup source when local records come up empty.

Houston County Probate Court

The Houston County Probate Court is the main source for marriage records and estate files. The court keeps wills, guardianship papers, and land records. They also handle adoptions and mental health matters. Judge Patrick H. Davenport serves as the current Probate Judge. The office is in the Administration Building in downtown Dothan.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy without proving a family link. This makes marriage records one of the easiest sources for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes from 1903 to the present day. Since August 2019, Alabama no longer requires marriage licenses. Couples now file notarized marriage certificates directly with the probate court.

The probate office is closed on Fridays. They follow a four-day work week, so plan your visit for Monday through Thursday. Staff can help you search indexes and pull files for review. You can take notes or order copies of documents you need.

County Health Department

The Houston 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. 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. 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.

The health department is located behind the Houston County Farm Center, about one block east of the Ross Clark Circle. Walk-in service is often same day if you arrive before 4:00 PM and have all the details you need. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. Bring a valid photo ID.

Wiregrass Archives at Troy University

The Wiregrass Archives is a specialized research center at Troy University's Dothan Campus. Created in 2002, it collects and preserves records that document the Wiregrass region of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. This is one of the best places to research family history in southeast Alabama.

The archives holds several collections valuable for genealogy research. The Henry County Records collection includes unbound estate and probate court records. These contain wills, guardianship writs, executor documents, and annual estate accounting. Since Houston County came mostly from Henry County, these records cover families who lived in this area before 1903.

Other notable collections include:

• Register Family Papers with local history and genealogy materials
• Helon Cutler Collection with Dothan city directories
• Queen E. Amos Collection with funeral programs and photographs
• African American genealogical materials from the Wiregrass Common Heritage Project

The archives is open to the public during university business hours and by appointment. Staff can help you find materials and explain how to use the collections. Most items are available for research, though some have use restrictions.

Dothan Houston County Library

The Local History Room at the Dothan Houston County Library has an extensive genealogy collection. This room is in the back corner of the main branch and has been part of the library since it opened. Staff can help you find materials and show you how to use the microfilm readers.

The collection includes heritage books on all 67 Alabama counties. Some books also cover areas in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia. The library offers free access to Ancestry.com and other genealogy databases for patrons. You can also use military records, civil records, death certificates, and obituaries.

One of the best resources here is the Dothan Eagle newspaper on microfilm. The collection goes back to September 24, 1909 and continues to the present day. Old newspapers are great for finding obituaries, wedding announcements, and local news about your ancestors. The microfilm readers are free to use.

Reference and local history materials cannot be checked out. They are for in-house use only. You can make photocopies for a small fee. The library is a good place to start your research before visiting the probate court or health department.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Houston 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 depending on your situation.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request to the state office in Montgomery
• 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.

For court records, use the Alacourt ACCESS system online. The website is pa.alacourt.com and there is a small search fee. You can find case information, filing dates, and party names. The system covers circuit court, district court, and some probate matters.

The Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society can also help. They publish a magazine called Wiregrass Roots and meet regularly to share research tips. You can reach them at P.O. Box 246, Dothan, AL 36302-0246. Members often know where to find hard-to-locate records.

Online Access Options

Houston County has several online resources for genealogy research. The county does not have a free online records portal like some larger Alabama counties, but you can still find plenty of information from your computer.

Online resources for Houston County genealogy:

• Alacourt ACCESS 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
• Wiregrass Archives online inventories at Troy University

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and probate records. Their collection includes Houston County estate files from 1904 to 1930 and wills from 1902 to 1929. 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. Some Houston County records from the early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research when local sources fall short.

Circuit Court Records

The Houston County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. For genealogy, the most useful records are divorce files and civil case records. The court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Henry County. Judge Chris Richardson and other circuit judges hear cases here.

Divorce records from before 1950 are kept at the circuit clerk office. After 1950, you can also get divorce certificates from the state health department through the ViSION system. The circuit clerk office is in the Houston County Courthouse in downtown Dothan.

Court records can include useful genealogy details. Divorce files often list spouses' names, marriage dates, and children. Civil cases may name family members involved in property disputes or estate matters. Criminal records can help confirm an ancestor lived in the area at a certain time.

Local Genealogy Tips

Houston County is the youngest county in Alabama. The county was named after Governor George Smith Houston, known as the "Bald Eagle of the Mountains." Understanding this history helps explain why local records only go back to 1903.

For research before 1903, check Henry County first. About 72 percent of Houston County territory came from Henry County. The Henry County Courthouse in Abbeville has older records that cover families in the Dothan area. The remaining territory came from Dale County (Ozark) and Geneva County (Geneva).

The Wiregrass region has a unique history. This area of southeast Alabama was one of the last to be settled. Cotton farming came late here compared to the Black Belt. Many families moved in after the Civil War looking for cheap land. If your ancestors arrived in the late 1800s, they may have come from other Alabama counties or from Georgia.

African American genealogy in Houston County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records from Henry, Dale, and Geneva counties. The Wiregrass Archives has materials from the Wiregrass Common Heritage Project that focus on African American family history. The Alabama Department of Archives in Montgomery has additional resources.

Church records can fill gaps when government records are missing. Many denominations kept baptism, marriage, and death records before the state started tracking vital events. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in the Wiregrass region. Check with local congregations or the Alabama Baptist Historical Society for older records.

Cities in Houston County

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

Other communities in Houston County include Ashford, Cottonwood, Cowarts, Gordon, Kinsey, Madrid, Rehobeth, Taylor, and Webb. All of these use the Houston County offices for genealogy records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houston County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. Since Houston County was formed in 1903, your ancestors may appear in the parent counties before that date.

Houston County also borders Georgia to the east and Florida to the south. If your family crossed state lines, you may need to check Decatur County and Seminole County in Georgia, or Jackson County in Florida.