How to Find Alabama Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

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{{breadcrumb
__NOTOC__  
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
| link3=[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find U.S. Marriage Records]]
| link4=[[Alabama Birth, Marriage, and Death Records|Alabama Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records|How to Find Alabama Marriage Records]]
}} __NOTOC__


== Finding Alabama Marriage Records ==
[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How To Find U.S. Marriage Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] How To Find Alabama Marriage Records  


== Finding Alabama Marriage Records  ==


*Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin in 1799 or at the creation of the county  
*Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
*1936 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county  
*1957 - 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'''. }}  
{{Tip|More marriage information is usually found on the '''marriage license application''' or the '''marriage register'''. Less information is found on the '''marriage certificate'''. }}  
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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1936|Before 1936]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1957|Before 1957]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_1936_to_Present|1936 to Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_1957_to_Present|1957 to Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>


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|}
|}


== '''Marriages Before 1936'''  ==
== '''Marriages Before 1957'''  ==


*Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin in 1799 or at the creation of the county<br>
*Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
 
*Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county<br>
{| width="100%"  cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| Alabama Marriage Database(s)
|-
|
 
|}
 
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records]].
 
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index'''  ====


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
Line 60: Line 45:
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Alabama, County Marriages, 1805-1967
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1957
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61365 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1807364|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61365 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 37,501
| align="center" | 5,117,756
|-
| width="30%" | Findmypast, United States Marriages – Alabama, 1733-2013
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | On [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=alabama Findmypast.com] ($)
| align="center" | 8,200,239
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1809-1950
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1743384|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| align="center" | 566,839
|-
| width="30%" | Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|2534485|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years  
| align="center" | 80,469
|}
|}


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| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1800-1969
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1718-1925
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7838 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7837 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7838 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7837 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| align="center" | 2,404,100
| align="center" | 562,712
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1816-1957
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1674672|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| align="center" | 1,516,339
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1809-1920
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4192 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4192 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| align="center" | 298,298
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1784-1920
| Ancestry, Marriages, To 1850
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1898 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2090 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1898 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2090 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| align="center" | 99,354
| align="center" | 29,692
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, to 1825
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2080 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5228 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2080 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5228 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| align="center" | 12,255
| align="center" | 43,140
|}
|}


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|-
|-
| '''''Can't access Ancestry?'''''  
| '''''Can't access Ancestry?'''''  
| Visit your [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ local FamilySearch center] or your local public library.
| Visit your [https://www.familysearch.org/locations local Family History Center] or your local public library.
|-
|-
| width="30%" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''  
| width="30%" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''  
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|}
|}


==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Record'''  ====
'''Found the index but not the image of the marriage?''' <br> Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [http://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the&nbsp;[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)] to see what is available.  
 
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 ([http://www.google.com 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 [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|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 ([http://www.google.com 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 [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.
::*Search the [http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FHLC] by county.  
 
::*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.  
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.  
::*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.
::*For a small fee, [https://familysearch.org/films/ order the microfilm] to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
<center>[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Finding_Alabama_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
<center>[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Finding_Alabama_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
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|}
|}


== '''Marriages 1936 to Present'''  ==
== '''Marriages 1957 to Present'''  ==


*1936 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
*1957 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
Currently, there are no online indexes to Alabama marriage records for the period 1957 to the present.  
|-
| colspan="4" | '''Marriage Indexes and Digital Images '''
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name - Index and Image'''
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database'''
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|-
| Ancestry, Alabama, County Marriages, 1805-1967
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61365 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61365 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 5,117,756
|-
| width="30%" | Findmypast, United States Marriages – Alabama, 1733-2013
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | On [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=alabama Findmypast.com] ($)
| align="center" |
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1809-1950
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1743384|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| align="center" | 566,839
|-
| width="30%" | Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|2534485|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| align="center" | 80,469
|}
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
| colspan="4" | '''If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:'''
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name-Index Only '''
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database'''
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1800-1969
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7838 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7838 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 2,404,100
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1816-1957
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1674672|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| align="center" | 1,516,339
|}


==== '''Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
==== '''Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
Line 217: Line 121:
'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''  
'''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 ([http://www.google.com Google] for the name of the county + probate court).  
:*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the [http://www.laclerksofcourt.org/clerksofcourt.htm county clerk].  
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records.]]
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records.]]


'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your 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 ([http://www.google.com Google] for the name of the county + probate court).
:*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.laclerksofcourt.org/clerksofcourt.htm county clerk].


''OR''  
''OR''  


:*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.adph.org/vitalrecords/?id=1562 Alabama Department of Public Health].
:*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [https://www.vitalchek.com/marriage-records/louisiana/louisiana-vital-records VitalChek].


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
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| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Marriage Certificates'''
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Marriage Certificates'''
|-
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | county probate court
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.laclerksofcourt.org/clerksofcourt.htm From County of Marriage]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.adph.org/vitalrecords/?id=1562 From AL Dept. of Public Health]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [https://www.vitalchek.com/marriage-records/louisiana/louisiana-vital-records From VitalChek]
|-
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
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:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
:*[[United States Record Selection Table|United States Record Selection Table ]]  
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
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:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]


*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60000 Alabama, Select Marriages, 1816-1957] ($)
[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How_to_articles]]
 
[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Revision as of 10:36, 3 July 2013


How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to How To Find Alabama Marriage Records

Finding Alabama Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

  • Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
  • 1957 - 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 1957[edit | edit source]

  • Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
  • Marriages are kept by the probate court for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1957 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 37,501
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, 1718-1925 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 562,712
Ancestry, Marriages, To 1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 29,692
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 43,140
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

Found the index but not the image of the marriage?
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 Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1957 to Present[edit | edit source]

  • 1957 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Currently, there are no online indexes to Alabama marriage records for the period 1957 to the present.

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 county clerk.
  • 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 county clerk.

OR

  • Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the VitalChek.
To Order Marriage Certificates
From County of Marriage From VitalChek
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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