Ocala Family History Archives

Marion County genealogy research opens doors to family roots in North Central Florida where the county formed in 1844 from parts of Alachua and Hillsborough counties with Ocala serving as the county seat. The area is known as the Horse Capital of the World with records dating back to the mid-1800s that help you trace ancestors through vital records and census data, and many families settled here for the rich farmland.

Marion County Clerk of Court Records

The Clerk of Court maintains official records for Marion County genealogy research under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, which grants public access to most government documents and ensures transparency for researchers seeking historical information from the county archives dating back to 1844. This office holds marriage licenses, court cases, probate files, and land records from 1844 when the county was established from parts of Alachua and Hillsborough counties in North Central Florida, and staff members can help you find old documents and make certified copies for your research needs.

Marriage records before June 6, 1927 stay at the clerk's office, while the state only holds records from that date forward as mandated by Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes governing vital statistics and public access to marriage records in Florida. For older marriage licenses, you must check directly with the clerk's office in Ocala near the historic downtown square, and probate records show how estates were settled and property distributed among heirs and family members with these files often listing family members, relationships, and assets in great detail.

Contact the Marion County Clerk at 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475.

Florida State Archives Collections

The State Archives of Florida holds collections useful for Marion County genealogy research, including Confederate Pension Applications, Spanish Land Grants, and Voter Registration Rolls from 1867-68 that contain valuable information about families who lived in North Central Florida during the nineteenth century. The archives also maintain World War I Service Cards and Supreme Court Records, and many Marion County families appear in these statewide collections that you can access at the archives in Tallahassee during regular business hours throughout the year.

Confederate Pension Applications contain detailed family information about veterans and their survivors, listing the veteran's name, military unit, and residence at the time of application, plus details about spouses and children who survived the veteran and may have lived in Marion County after the war ended in 1865. Spanish Land Grants contain maps and property records from 1821 showing original land owners in the region, and Voter Registration Rolls from 1867-68 are crucial for African American genealogy research, representing the first systematic records of Black voters after the Civil War ended.

Bureau of Vital Statistics Records

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps birth and death records for Marion County residents under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes, which governs vital statistics and sets rules for accessing birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in the state of Florida. Birth records start from 1917 in most cases, though some earlier records exist from 1850, and death records go back further in time than birth records. The bureau issues certified copies of these documents for legal and research purposes, and you can order online or by mail using standard request forms.

Birth records less than 125 years old remain confidential under Florida law, with access limited to the person named on the record, parents listed, legal guardians, or legal representatives who can demonstrate a direct interest and show valid photo identification when requesting these protected records. State marriage records cover June 6, 1927 to present, while earlier marriages are only available at the county clerk office where the license was issued. Death records without cause of death are open to anyone under public records laws, but cause of death information stays private for 50 years.

Order through VitalChek. Visit the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics website.

Marion County Genealogy Research Tips

Start your search with what you know.

Census records are key for Marion County research, with federal census data available from 1840 for this area, and you should look for neighbors with the same surname because families often lived near each other in rural communities.

Newspapers add color to your research.

Visit the State Library Genealogy Page for more resources and database access.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

These counties border Marion County.