Search Lee County Genealogy Records
Lee County genealogy records date back to 1866 when the county was formed from parts of Chambers, Macon, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties. The county seat is Opelika, where the Lee County Probate Court maintains marriage licenses, will files, and estate records. Auburn University sits in the heart of this county, and its archives hold a large collection of local history materials. The Auburn University Special Collections and Archives is a major resource that many researchers overlook. Family historians will find records at the probate court, the county health department, and university libraries. This county has about 174,000 residents and sits in the 37th Judicial Circuit.
Lee County Quick Facts
What Records Are Available
Lee County keeps a wide range 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 survived 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 1867 to present
- Divorce records from Circuit Court
- Probate and estate files
- Land and deed records
- Tax records and voter rolls
- Court case files
- Auburn University archival collections
Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to locate. 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. The Auburn University Archives also has some early local records that fill in gaps.
Lee County Probate Court
The Lee 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 Lee County probate functions are in Opelika at the county courthouse.
Lee County uses a digital record system. You can search some records through their online portal. The system shows index data for marriages, probate cases, and property records. Full document images may not be online, but you can note the file number and request copies. The staff can help with in-person searches as 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. Many researchers start here when tracing Lee County families.
| Address |
Lee County Courthouse 215 South 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 737-3670 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | leecountyonline.com/probate-court |
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 Lee County. Bring a name and rough date range to speed up your search.
County Health Department
The Lee 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.
| Address |
Lee County Health Department 1801 Corporate Drive Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 745-5765 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | adph.org/lee |
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.
Auburn University Archives
Auburn University Special Collections and Archives is a major genealogy resource. Many researchers do not know about this collection. The archives hold local newspapers, city directories, church records, and personal papers from Lee County families. Some materials date back to the 1800s.
The university archives have several useful collections:
- Auburn newspapers from the 1800s and 1900s
- Opelika Daily News archives
- Local church and cemetery records
- Personal papers and family histories
- Photographs of Lee County people and places
- Maps and land surveys
- City directories for Auburn and Opelika
The archives are open to the public. You do not need to be a student or faculty member. Staff can help you find materials for your research. Some items must be viewed on site, but finding aids are often online. Call ahead to make sure the materials you want are available.
| Location |
Ralph Brown Draughon Library 231 Mell Street Auburn, AL 36849 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 844-1700 |
| Website | lib.auburn.edu/special |
The library also gives free access to Ancestry and other paid genealogy sites. If you do not have a subscription at home, you can use these tools at the library. This is a big help for researchers on a budget.
How to Search Records
You have several ways to search genealogy records in Lee 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 Lee County Probate Court has a website with some record access. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com has court records. FamilySearch has free indexed records. 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 Opelika Public Library has local history resources. They keep old city directories, local newspapers on microfilm, and some genealogy guides. Staff know the area and can point you to sources. It is worth a stop when doing Lee County research.
Online Access Options
Lee County has growing online access to records. The probate court website has some search tools. The state court system has records through AlacourtAccess. Several free sites have Lee County materials as well.
Online resources for Lee 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
- Auburn University digital collections online
- Lee County GIS for property maps
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Lee 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 Lee County Probate Court is in the Opelika 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 ground floor and easy to find.
Auburn University is a short drive from Opelika. The Special Collections and Archives in the library have materials you will not find anywhere else. Old newspapers, photographs, and family papers fill their collection. Plan to spend a few hours if you visit. Staff are helpful and know the local history well.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is also an option. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Lee County probate records from the 1800s are there. The drive from Opelika takes about an hour. Staff can help you find what you need.
Local Genealogy Tips
Lee County has a unique history that affects genealogy research. The county formed after the Civil War, so there are no records here before 1866. If your family lived in this area before then, check Chambers, Macon, Russell, or Tallapoosa counties. These are the parent counties that gave land to form Lee County.
Auburn has been a college town since 1856. Many families moved here for the school. Faculty, staff, and students left records in university archives. If your ancestor worked at or attended Auburn, the university archives may have files on them. Yearbooks, staff directories, and campus newspapers are all useful sources.
The railroad shaped this area. Opelika grew as a rail hub in the 1800s. Workers came from many places to build and run the trains. Check railroad company records if your family worked in that field. Some records are at the Alabama Department of Archives.
Church records fill gaps in early vital records. Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian 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 Auburn University Archives.
African American genealogy in Lee County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Tuskegee University, just south in Macon County, has resources for Black family history in this region. The two schools worked together on many projects over the years.
The Lee County Historical Society can help with local research. Members know the area and may have leads on family records. They sometimes hold workshops and cemetery walks. Check if they have any guides or publications about Lee County families.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Lee County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Opelika office serves the whole county.
Other cities in Lee County include Opelika (the county seat), Phenix City borders the county to the east, Smiths Station, Beauregard, and Salem. Most of these use the Lee County offices for genealogy records. Phenix City is actually in Russell County, though some people confuse the two areas.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lee 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. Lee County was formed from parts of four other counties in 1866.