How to Find Alabama Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

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| bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |  
| bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |  
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span> |2=1}}
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1936|Before 1936]]''' </span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1936|Before 1936]]''' </span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_1936_to_Present|1936 to Present]]''' </span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Marriage Records#Marriages_1936_to_Present|1936 to Present]]''' </span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>|2=1}}


|}
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'''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).  
{{Block indent|*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.]]
{{Block indent|*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'''  
'''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).
{{Block indent|*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''  
''OR''  


:*View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
{{Block indent|*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.  
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 [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.  
{{Block indent|*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county. |2}}
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.  
{{Block indent|*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. |2}}
::*Some microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
{{Block indent|*Some microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.|2}}
<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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'''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).  
{{Block indent|*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 [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records.]]
{{Block indent|*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).
{{Block indent|*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''  
''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].
{{Block indent|1=*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.adph.org/vitalrecords/?id=1562 Alabama Department of Public Health].|2=1}}


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
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== Wiki Articles  ==
== Wiki Articles  ==


:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[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]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]] }}
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]] }}
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]] }}
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] }}
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] }}
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
{{Block indent|*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] }}
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
{{Block indent|*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]}}


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


[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]
[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Latest revision as of 16:28, 19 August 2025

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 FamilySearch 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

*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
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

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