Alabama Vital Records: Difference between revisions

''[[United States|United States]] > [[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]] > [[Alabama|Alabama]] > [[Alabama_Birth,_Marriage,_and_Death_Records|Alabama Birth, Marriage, & Death Records]]''  

Most research on minorities consists of consulting the same types of records as research for nonminorities. Resources for African-American research fall into two periods: pre- and post-Civil War. Post-Civil War research consists of consulting the same record types you would use to research non–African-Americans. Pre-Civil War research consists of consist of slave importation declarations, plantation records, emancipation records, apprenticeship bonds for freedmen, Alabama hiring practices, census records, plantation owners’ family records, church and cemetery records, military records, and Alabama court records.

Alabama Counties were requested to register births in 1881. However, the practice of registering births with the county took time to gain acceptance and compliance. Most of these early birth registers do not list the name of the child, but may contain sex, race, place and date of birth, parents, and possibly the physician or midwife attending the birth.  

The State of Alabama did not require the birth registration until 1908. The recording of vital records gradually increased with time and was generally complied with by 1927. If a baby's survival was questioned, a birth certificate may not have been created. Most of the early birth certificates do not list the name of the child, but may contain the sex, race, place and date of birth, parents, and possibly the physician or midwife attending the birth. By the 1920's, it is more common to find the baby's name included in the record. Links to some online indexes maybe found at [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Alabama%2C_United_States_-_Online_Vital_Records Alabama Vital Records Online]. Contact information and instructions for ordering copies of birth certificates may be found at the [http://adph.org/vitalrecords/Default.asp?id=1559 Alabama Vital Records State Department of Health].  

As of August 1, 2000, original birth information became available to adoptees once they reach the age of 19. The law allows all adult adoptees whose original birth certificate and court records were placed in a "sealed file" to obtain a copy of the birth certificate and any other documents held in the file. The birth parent may indicate a preference for 1) unrestricted contact, 2) contact through an intermediary, or 3) no contact. If the birth parent chooses no contact, an Updated Medical History form must be completed and placed in the file.   

 

The [http://adph.org/vitalrecords/Default.asp?id=1558 Alabama Department of Public Health] has detailed information on obtaining copies of these sealed [http://adph.org/vitalrecords/Default.asp?id=1563 birth records].  

 

Before the statewide registration of marriages began in 1936, the Clerk of the Probate Court in each county issued<br>licenses and recorded marriages. The county marriage&nbsp;records usually began within&nbsp;ten years of the creation of the county.&nbsp;Early marriage records may&nbsp;include&nbsp;the names of the bride and groom, date of marriage, bondsmen, licensed officiant and signatures of the parties.

In 1799,&nbsp;when&nbsp;Alabama was&nbsp;part of the Mississippi Territory, a law was passed requiring the registration of marriage licenses and bonds. These licenses and bonds&nbsp;were registered&nbsp;in the Orphans Court in the county of the bride's residence.&nbsp;

Early Marriage&nbsp;licenses and bonds were registered in the Orphans Court in the County of the bride's residence. In&nbsp;1844 the Orphans Court was renamed the Probate Court.&nbsp;From 1888 on bonds were only required if the groom was under the age of 21 or the bride was under the age of 18. The county marriage records usually began within ten years of the creation of the county. Early marriage records may include the names of the bride and groom, date of marriage, bondsmen, and licensed officiant. Later, records may include&nbsp;ages, occupations, and number of previous marriages for each spouse and the parents' names. <br>

Statewide registration of marriages began in August of 1936. The statewide marriage records are located at the State Department of Public Health '''/ Center for Health Stat.....('''see address below).