Dothan Obituary Records
Dothan obituary records are available through the Dothan Eagle newspaper, local funeral homes, and Houston County resources. Known as the hub of the Wiregrass region, Dothan has over 71,000 residents and serves as the commercial center for southeast Alabama. The Dothan Eagle is the primary source for obituaries and has published since the early 1900s. Historical archives are available through Ancestry.com. The Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society is an excellent resource for local research. Legacy.com posts current obituaries daily. Funeral homes like Southern Heritage and Glover also maintain online obituary archives.
Dothan Quick Facts
Houston County Probate Court
Dothan residents file vital records through the Houston County Probate Court. The probate office handles death certificates, wills, estate files, and marriage records. Judge Patrick H. Davenport oversees the court.
Note: The Houston County Probate Court is closed on Fridays. They operate Monday through Thursday only, so plan your visits accordingly.
| Address | 462 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Drawer 6406, Dothan, AL 36302 |
| Phone | 334-677-4701 |
| License Dept | 334-677-4722 |
| Fax | 334-836-1292 |
| Hours | Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed Fridays) |
| Website | houstoncountyal.gov/probate |
Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-14, death certificates must be filed within 5 days. The probate court keeps copies going back many years.
Dothan Newspapers with Obituaries
The Dothan Eagle is the main daily newspaper for the Wiregrass region. It publishes obituaries daily and maintains them on its website. The paper has served the area since the early 1900s.
Current obituaries appear at dothaneagle.com/news/local/obituaries. You can also search on Legacy.com at legacy.com/us/obituaries/dothaneagle/browse.
Historical Dothan Eagle archives are available on Ancestry.com. Coverage includes 1908-15, 1926, 1928-36, and 1943-51. Gaps exist, but these years have been digitized and are searchable.
Dothan Libraries and Genealogy
The Dothan Houston Library system has several branches serving the city. They offer genealogy resources and can assist with local research.
| Main Branch | 445 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303 | Phone: 334-793-9767 |
|---|---|
| Westgate Branch | 535 Recreation Road, Dothan, AL 36303 | Phone: 334-699-2950 |
| Houston-Love Library | 212 W Burdeshaw St, Dothan, AL 36303 | Phone: 334-793-9767 |
Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society (SEAGHS)
SEAGHS is an excellent resource for Dothan and Houston County obituary research. The society publishes Wiregrass Roots magazine and maintains local genealogy files.
| Address | P.O. Box 246, Dothan, AL 36302-0246 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 334-794-8378 |
| rdvalky@aol.com |
Dothan Funeral Homes
Funeral homes in Dothan post obituaries on their websites. If you know which one handled services, check their site first. Many keep archives going back several years.
- Southern Heritage Funeral Home - 1000 Hodgesville Rd, Dothan, AL 36301 | Phone: 334-702-1712 | southernheritagefh.com
- Glover Funeral Home, Inc. - Serves Dothan, Eufaula & Clayton | gloverfuneral.com
- Sunset Memorial Park, Funeral Home, and Crematory - Dothan
- Holman Funeral Home and Cremations - Ozark (nearby)
Check funeral home websites for obituary archives. These are often the best source for recent death notices if you know which home was used.
How to Find Dothan Obituaries
For recent obituaries, start with the Dothan Eagle website or Legacy.com. Both are free and searchable by name. Most obituaries from the past few years are available.
For older obituaries, try these resources:
- Ancestry.com has Dothan Eagle archives from 1908-1951 (gaps exist)
- NewspaperObituaries.net has 20+ indexes for Houston County
- Genealogy Trails has Houston County obituaries at genealogytrails.com
- SEAGHS may have files not available elsewhere
- Find a Grave for burial records
For death certificates, contact Houston County Probate Court (closed Fridays) 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 Dothan
If you need assistance with estate matters, probate, or obtaining records:
- Legal Services Alabama - Dothan Office - 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 for free services.
Nearby Cities
Dothan is the only qualifying city in Houston County. The nearest large cities are in other parts of the state.
Montgomery is about 100 miles northwest. Auburn is roughly 85 miles north. Mobile is around 120 miles west on the Gulf Coast.
Houston County Resources
For complete information about obituary records in Houston County, including Dothan and surrounding areas, visit our county page.
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