Jefferson County Genealogy Records

Jefferson County genealogy records go back to 1819 when the county was formed from parts of Blount County. The county seat is Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama. The Jefferson County Probate Court and the Jefferson County Health Department are the main sources for birth, death, and marriage records. This is the most populous county in Alabama with about 674,000 people. Family history researchers will find a wealth of records here, from old probate files to modern vital records that are part of the state ViSION network.

What Records Are Available

Jefferson County has a wide range of genealogy records. Birth and death records from the state start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1818. The county also has land deeds, estate files, and court records. Some older records are missing due to a courthouse fire in 1897, but many were saved or restored from other sources.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1818 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. The state did not keep these records back then. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for births and deaths from that era. Some old records are held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery.

Jefferson County Probate Court

The Jefferson County Probate Court is a key source for genealogy research. The court keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and mental health matters. The probate judge is the head of county government in Alabama. Jefferson County has two probate locations, one in Birmingham and one in Bessemer.

The probate court has online access through the Landmark WEB system. This is a free tool that lets you search court records from home. You can find marriage licenses, probate case numbers, and recording data. The system does not show full document images, but it tells you what records exist. Then you can request copies by mail or in person.

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 Jefferson County. The court has marriage indexes from 1818 to the present day.

County Health Department

The Jefferson County Department of Health 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.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. You must 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.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Jefferson 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.

Start with the Landmark WEB portal for probate records. Go to the Jefferson County Probate Court website and click the online records link. You can search by name and date range. The system shows index data for marriages, probate cases, and deeds. It is free to use and open to the public.

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 Birmingham Public Library has a genealogy room. The Linn-Henley Research Library holds local history books, old city directories, and newspaper archives. Staff can help you find records that are not online. The library also has access to Ancestry and other paid sites at no cost to visitors.

Online Access Options

Jefferson County has more online records than most Alabama counties. The Landmark WEB system is the main tool. It covers probate, marriage, and deed records. The system is free and does not require an account. Search results show basic data, and you can note the record number to request a copy.

Other online resources for Jefferson 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
• BirminghamGenealogy.com local resources

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

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 with you.

The Jefferson County Probate Court is in the Birmingham courthouse. Go to the records room and ask for help. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The Bessemer office has the same services for the west side of the county.

The Birmingham Public Library central branch has a Southern History Department. This room holds local history books, family files, and city directories. The collection includes old Birmingham Age-Herald newspapers on microfilm. Staff know the local history and can point you to sources. Hours are Monday through Saturday, though times vary by day.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the trip. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Jefferson County probate records from the 1800s are there. Staff can help you find what you need. The drive from Birmingham takes about 90 minutes.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Jefferson County vary by office. The health department charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through the ViSION system.

Probate court fees are set by state law. The main costs are:

• Copy of marriage license: $5.00
• Certified copy of marriage: $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 on top of state fees. The exact amount depends on shipping speed. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. If you order by phone, there may be a small extra charge.

The Birmingham Public Library offers free access to its genealogy room. You can view records at no cost. Copy fees apply if you want to print pages. Microfilm readers are free to use. Internet access for online databases is also free at the library.

Local Genealogy Tips

Jefferson County has a rich history. The county was named after President Thomas Jefferson. Birmingham was founded in 1871 during the post-Civil War boom. The city grew fast due to iron and steel mills. Many workers came from other states and countries, so you may find family roots that stretch far beyond Alabama.

The 1897 courthouse fire destroyed some early records. But many were saved, and some were later restored from copies held by other offices. Check the Alabama Department of Archives for records that may have been moved before the fire. Church records from that era can also fill in gaps.

The Sloss Furnaces site has records from the steel industry. If your family worked in iron or steel, check their archives. Mill towns like Ensley and Fairfield had their own records before they joined Birmingham. Look for old city directories that list these areas.

The Birmingham Genealogical Society meets monthly. Members share tips and help each other with research. Their website has guides for Jefferson County records. Joining a local group can speed up your search.

African American genealogy in Jefferson County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute may have leads for families who lived through the movement era.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has over 35 cities and towns. All of them use the Jefferson County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Birmingham office serves most of the county. The Bessemer office serves the west side.

Other cities in Jefferson County include Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Bessemer, Trussville, Gardendale, Center Point, Hueytown, and Irondale. All of these use the Jefferson County offices for genealogy records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson 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.