This southern Alabama county was one of the last to be established, with Escambia and Chilton also being made counties in 1868.

Many Geneva County public records will date back to at least that time or older though the official start of state vital records keeping was 1908. For strictly informational purposes, you can research many past records through your local library and the State Archive in Montgomery. But if you are after an official and certified copy of a Geneva County public record, then you should contact the health department office in Geneva (the city).

They are open to the public and can issue records while you wait. You just need to fill out the request form, containing as much information about your desired record as you can provide. Dates, names and locations are necessary. Search fees are not refunded so if you do not provide enough information, you will lose out on your fee when the record is not found. Fees can be paid in cash at the office, but mailed applications will need either a money order or a check made out to the State Board of Health.

Geneva County Birth Records

To prevent fraud and identity theft, Geneva County birth records are protected for 125 years after the date of birth. So most modern records will be restricted and you will only be able to make a request if the person on the record is a member of your immediate family (or it is your own birth record). The cost for each record is $15, though additional copies can be ordered for just $6 each after that. You will need to know the person's full name, date and location of birth as well as their parent's names.

Geneva County Death Records

Geneva County death records are only held confidential for 25 years, and then they are considered public domain material. So for 25 years after the date of death, only immediate family members are allowed to request copies of a death certificate. Each copy will cost $15, and the forms will require full name, date of death, where they died and the person's birth date as well.

Geneva County Marriage Records

If you are looking to get a copy of a Geneva County marriage record, you will need to names of both parties (bride and groom), where the marriage took place and the date. Requests can go to the health department office as well, and the cost is $15 for each certified copy ordered. There are no privacy rules pertaining to marriage certificates so you can go ahead and order whoever's you wish.

Geneva County Criminal Records

Criminal records are not accessible to the public, not just in Geneva County but anywhere in Alabama. Only legal officials and certain types of employers are allowed access to any Geneva County criminal records. Employers can only do so in order to perform a background check on potential employees. You are only allowed to make a request for your own criminal history which will cost $25, and applications go to a state agency, the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.