Learn How to Obtain Alabama Marriage Certificates

Alabama, as a state, began late in the recording of vital details of its citizens. The system of archiving Alabama marriage certificates was instituted only in 1936. The beginning of archiving birth and death certificates dates back to 1908. These are vital ingredients in mapping out your family tree, which in other words is genealogical research.

Alabama marriage records are constituted of vital information about the marriage of two individuals, with the bride's and grooms full names. It speaks of the date of marriage and place or county of the wedding. In some cases if not all, it documents names of the mothers and fathers of the spouses and some even have birthplaces of the bride's and groom's parents. Even the people who witnessed the marriage are named in some occasions. Alabama marriage certificates issued by state and local governments will often include addresses of the bride and groom respectively.

Genealogy research has always depended on marriage records. Since the information is recorded by an eye witness at the time the marriage takes place, they are considered to be a primary source of information. Various online archives on the Internet have allowed people to store marriage records. This has brought access to online marriage records much more easily for genealogy researchers.

Where an Alabama Marriage Certificate is Filed

An Act, passed in the year 1881, provided that all births and deaths in the state of Alabama were to be registered. The registration was to be done with a county health officer. Alas, the legislation was not strictly adhered to, due to careless administration.

It must also be mentioned here that perhaps the need and importance of maintaining such records was not properly understood at that time.

The state-level registration of births and deaths in the State of Alabama began on 1st January, 1908. But the loose administration ensured that the state did not achieve a ninety percent completeness of birth registration until 1927. Death registration did not achieve ninety percent completeness until 1925.

For all birth and death records dating back before the year 1908, you have to write to the clerk of the county in question. You have to access the same clerk for obtaining information on marriages prior to 1936. If you need to access birth and death records which are dated after 1908, and if you are required to access marriage records after 1936, you have to get in touch with the following:

Center for Health Statistics
State Dept. of Public Health
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Tel: 202-242-5033

It is vital to take note of an important legal binding on records. All records pertaining to marriage and death are shut for 125 years to outsiders. Only the family of the married party or the deceased can access them. Farther, any information for marriages which took place prior to 1936 must be obtained from the probate office in the county where the marriage license was issued. Similarly, information for divorces which occurred prior to 1950 must be obtained from the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.

Information Needed to Find Your Alabama Marriage Certificate

When you are applying for a copy of a marriage license, ensure to include the relevant information like the full name of the husband (last name in capital letters) and the full maiden name of wife (last name in capital letters). Furthermore, you have to furnish the date of marriage and the place of marriage. Please also detail the relationship to the party and reason why the record is needed. It is essential you put the requestor's name & address in the application.

Since some counties require it, it is a good idea to furnish the requestor's driver's license number & state. Finally, never forget to include the requestor's signature.

How to Obtain a Copy of The Marriage Certificate In Alabama

In order to obtain a copy of any of a marriage license in the United States, you have to write or go to the Vital Statistics Office in the state or area where the event had taken place. You have to follow a few steps to ensure that you receive an accurate record for your request. Following these steps will ensure that it is filled in an appropriate amount of time.

Please ensure that your request letter is concise and to the point. It will not get the adequate attention unless it includes only necessary information. Please see to it that more than one or two requests are not included at once. Make your letter free of confusing details of your family lines.

It is important you either type or print all names and addresses in your letter. Do not forget to provide an S.A.S.E., or a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope. It is good if you remember to appreciate that all county offices are understaffed, and each individual is stretched to the limit. Assisting in genealogical queries is carried out as a service and it is outside of the area of responsibility of the staff. All that the staff asks for is that you exercise patience and courtesy in your transactions with their offices.

You have to provide information which is complete in all regards on an individual and event for which you need documents. An incomplete request receives immediate rejection. Do cross-check before submission.

Names are another area of concern that needs to be dealt carefully. Ensure that you include all possible names that may have been used. These will include nicknames, alternate spellings and the like.

Make sure you list dates and the type of event as accurately and completely as possible. In case you are not aware of the exact date, you can specify the span of years you wish to be searched. However, please be ready to spend money on searches that span several years.