How to Find Alabama Marriage Records
Finding Alabama Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin in 1799 or at the creation of the county
- 1936 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1936[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin in 1799 or at the creation of the county
Alabama Marriage Database(s) |
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Alabama, County Marriages, 1805-1967 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 5,117,756 |
Findmypast, United States Marriages – Alabama, 1733-2013 | On Findmypast.com ($) | 8,200,239 | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1809-1950 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 566,839 | |
Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 80,469 |
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1800-1969 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 2,404,100 |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1816-1957 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,516,339 | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1809-1920 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 298,298 |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1784-1920 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 99,354 |
Ancestry, Marriages, to 1825 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 12,255 |
Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local family history center or your local public library. |
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | ||
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court (Google for the name of the county + probate court).
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the probate court (Google for the name of the county + probate court).
OR
- View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- Some microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Marriages 1936 to Present[edit | edit source]
- 1936 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Alabama, County Marriages, 1805-1967 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 5,117,756 |
Findmypast, United States Marriages – Alabama, 1733-2013 | On Findmypast.com ($) | ||
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1809-1950 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 566,839 | |
Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 80,469 |
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1800-1969 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 2,404,100 |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1816-1957 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,516,339 |
Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court (Google for the name of the county + probate court).
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the probate court (Google for the name of the county + probate court).
OR
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
county probate court | From AL Dept. of Public Health | ||
Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
- United States Vital Records
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
- Locating United States Vital Records