Auburn Obituary Search
Auburn obituary records are available through the Opelika-Auburn News, local funeral homes, and the Auburn Public Library. Home to Auburn University, this city of nearly 84,000 shares resources with neighboring Opelika, the Lee County seat. The Opelika-Auburn News is the main paper for obituaries in the area. It posts current death notices on Legacy.com and its own website. The Auburn Villager and Opelika Observer also publish obituaries. Most county business happens in Opelika, including probate court records. The Auburn Public Library offers genealogy databases for in-library use that can help with obituary research.
Auburn Quick Facts
Lee County Probate Court
Auburn residents file vital records through the Lee County Probate Court in Opelika. The probate office handles death certificates, wills, estate files, and marriage records. The court has records dating back to the 1860s.
Most Lee County courthouse business happens in Opelika, about 8 miles from Auburn. The probate court holds marriage and land records from 1867, military discharge records from 1919, and probate records from 1861.
| Address | 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 334-737-3670 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | leeco.us/government/probate_judge |
Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-22, death records are available through the probate court. Older records are open to anyone for genealogy research.
Auburn Newspapers with Obituaries
The Opelika-Auburn News (OANow) is the main daily paper serving Auburn. It covers both cities and all of Lee County. Obituaries are published daily in the paper and online.
To submit an obituary, call 334-329-6517 or email Opelika-AuburnNewsObits@obituaries.com. Current obituaries appear on Legacy.com at legacy.com/us/obituaries/oanow/browse.
Other newspapers covering Auburn obituaries:
- The Auburn Villager - Community newspaper | auburnvillager.com/obituaries
- The Opelika Observer - Local publication | opelikaobserver.com/category/obituaries
Auburn Library Resources
The Auburn Public Library offers genealogy databases for in-library use. These include census records, birth and death records, marriage records, and military records.
| Address | 749 East Thach Ave, Auburn, AL 36830 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 334-501-3190 |
| weblibrary@auburnalabama.org | |
| Website | Auburn Public Library |
The Opelika Public Library at 1100 Glenn Street also serves the Auburn area. Phone: 334-705-5380.
Auburn University Libraries have genealogical collections as well. The R.B. Draughon Library is a federal depository with additional resources for research.
Local Genealogy Organizations
Two organizations can help with Auburn obituary and genealogy research:
- Auburn Heritage Association - P.O. Box 2248, Auburn, AL 36831-2248 | Phone: 334-844-9156
- Genealogical Society of East Alabama - 205 South 10th Street, P.O. Box 2892, Opelika, AL 36803-2892
These groups can assist with local history research and may have obituary files not available elsewhere.
Auburn Area Funeral Homes
Most funeral homes serving Auburn are located in Opelika. They post obituaries on their websites. If you know which one handled services, check their site first.
- Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory - 1500 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36801 | jeffcoattrant.com
- Harris Funeral Home, Inc. - Opelika, AL
- Frederick-Dean Funeral Home - Opelika, AL | frederickdean.com
- Alabama Funeral Home and Cremation - alabamafuneralhomes.com
Check funeral home websites for obituary archives. Many keep records going back several years that are searchable by name.
How to Find Auburn Obituaries
For recent obituaries, start with Legacy.com or the Opelika-Auburn News website. Both are free and searchable by name. The Auburn Villager also posts obituaries online.
For older obituaries, try these resources:
- NewspaperObituaries.net has 35+ indexes for Lee County
- Auburn Public Library genealogy databases (in-library use)
- Lee County Probate Court for death records from 1861
- Find a Grave for burial records
For death certificates, contact Lee County Probate Court or the Alabama Department of Public Health. The fee is $15 for a search and first copy. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, certificates less than 25 years old have access restrictions.
Legal Help in Auburn
If you need assistance with estate matters, probate, or obtaining records:
- Legal Services Alabama - Free legal help for qualifying residents
- Central Intake Line: 1-866-456-4995
Legal Services Alabama handles probate matters, record access, and civil legal issues. Call the intake line to check if you qualify.
Nearby Cities
These Alabama cities near Auburn also have obituary resources.
Montgomery is about 55 miles west and is the state capital. Dothan is roughly 85 miles south in the Wiregrass region.
Lee County Resources
For complete information about obituary records in Lee County, including Auburn, Opelika, and surrounding areas, visit our county page.
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