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

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: *Before 1936 *1936 to Present *Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1936

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

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

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

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

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