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How to Find Alabama Marriage Records

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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
Tip
 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]
Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


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.
Search other records with marriage information.

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.
Other records with marriage information

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.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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

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
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

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