What are Alabama Vital Records?

Vital records in Alabama consist of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates of significant life events that occur in the state of Alabama. Alabama Public Health is the agency in charge of vital records for the state. They are the central repository where all records are kept and where you can obtain certified and keepsake copies. When adoption occurs, a new birth certificate is created, and the old one is sealed. The Public Health agency is also responsible for Apostille and Exempliifie paperwork and health laws and statistics. They have an online system for issuing vital records through the health department called the Vital Statistics Image Oriented Network or ViSION.

Alabama Birth Records

The Alabama Center for Health Statistics began keeping birth records in 1908 for people born in the state. Birth records are kept private for 125 years; then, they are open to the public. Only immediate family members or someone with your authorization can obtain a copy of your birth record. Most people request a certified copy, which is legal proof of your identity. A certified copy of your Alabama birth certificate allows you to apply for a driver's license, passport, or other licenses and situations where you need to verify your identity. However, you can also get a keepsake copy for your newborn baby or adopted child. A keepsake copy is not considered legal proof of your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Alabama?

Alabama Public Health is the agency in charge of vital records for the state. You should contact them for copies. If you have questions, they do assist by phone.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Alabama?

You can get a certified copy of your birth certificate by downloading and mailing in the request form on the Alabama Public Health website. You can also visit any health department in the State of Alabama or order them online through VitalChek.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Alabama?

It costs $15 to search for your birth certificate. That fee includes one certified copy or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." You can also request additional copies at the same time for $6 each, and to expedite your order, it costs another $15. Checks must be made out to the "State Board of Health."

Who can request birth records?

Only the following list of people may request a copy of your birth certificate, and they must provide proper documentation when doing so.

  1. Person named on the certificate.
  2. Mother, father, or legal guardian.
  3. Husband or wife of person named on certificate.
  4. Son or daughter of person named on certificate.
  5. Sister or brother of person named on certificate.
  6. Legal representative of an authorized person.

What birth records are available in Alabama?

The Alabama Public Health agency provides birth records dating back to 1908. Their records include stillbirth records.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Alabama birth certificate?

You need to verify your identity when applying for a copy of your birth certificate by providing the following information:

  1. Full name of person at birth.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Sex.
  4. County or city of birth.
  5. Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home."
  6. Full name of mother/parent before first marriage.
  7. Full name of father/parent before first marriage.
  8. Your name.
  9. Your signature.
  10. Your relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting.
  11. Address where the certificate is to be mailed.
  12. Your daytime phone number.

Where can I find historical vital records in Alabama for genealogy research?

The Alabama Department of Archives and History stores and maintains all historical vital records for the state. You can contact them for copies for genealogy or other purposes.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

Birth certificates are legal documents, and there is a specific process to follow to get them corrected. Alabama Public Health suggests you call the Center for Health Statistics for assistance. They also provide this helpful list of alternative ways to get a birth record corrected.

Can I get a refund if my Alabama birth record is not available?

Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Alabama Death Records

The state of Alabama began keeping death records for Alabama citizens in 1908. Alabama restricts death records for 25 years. After that, anyone who pays the fee can get a copy. Within those first 25 years, only close family members or legal representatives for the deceased can get a copy. When requesting copies of Alabama death records, you do have to supply identification. Death records may be needed to claim life insurance or prove that you are a widow before applying for a marriage license. You can get copies through The Alabama Center for Health Statistics for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Death Records

How do I find death records in Alabama?

The Alabama Public Health agency is the government entity that handles death records, and you must contact them to search their files and request a death certificate.  You can order certified copied through the mail, online, or in person.

Are death records public in Alabama?

Not immediately. In Alabama, death records are restricted for 25 years; then, after that, they are open to the general public.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Alabama?

Death certificates in Alabama cost $15, which includes both the search and one certified copy. If you require additional copies, they cost $6 each if requested at the same time.

How long does it take to get a copy of an Alabama death record?

If you order through the mail or using VitalChek, you must wait a few days to get a copy, but you can visit any health department in Alabama and obtain a copy instantly.

Who can request death records?

The only people eligible to request death records for someone are:

  1. Mother or father of person named on certificate.
  2. Husband or wife of person named on certificate.
  3. Son or daughter of person named on certificate.
  4. Sister or brother of person named on certificate.
  5. Grandchild of person named on certificate when demonstrating entitlement.
  6. Legal representative of family or estate.
  7. Informant listed on death certificate as providing information.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Alabama death certificate?

When contacting the Alabama Public Health agency for a death certificate, you must provide the following information:

  1. Full legal name of deceased.
  2. Date of death.
  3. County (or city) of death.
  4. Sex.
  5. Social security number.
  6. Date of birth or age at death.
  7. Race.
  8. Name of spouse.
  9. Names of parents.
  10. Your name.
  11. Your signature.
  12. Your relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting.
  13. Address where the certificate is to be mailed.
  14. Your daytime phone number.

Where can I find historical death records in Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Archives and History stores and maintains all historical vital records for the state. You can contact them for copies for genealogy or other purposes.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

To correct a death certificate, you must contact the Center for Health Statistics for assistance.

Can I get a refund if my Alabama death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Alabama Marriage Records

Alabama began saving marriage records in August 1936. However, you can obtain earlier records by visiting the county probate office where the marriage occurred. Marriage records in Alabama are public, and you can request a copy of anyone's records. They maintain records for adults and minors (married 16-17-year-olds). A certified copy of your marriage certificate may be used to change your name, get a driver's license, apply for credit or other legal purposes. Alabama Public Health is the agency in charge of marriage records. This agency also provides Apostille and Exemplified copies for foreign usage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Marriage Records

Are Alabama marriage records public?

Yes. Alabama marriage records are completely open to the public, and you can get a copy of anyone's as long as you pay the fee.

What Alabama marriage records are available?

All marriage records dating back to 1936 are held by the Alabama Public Health agency. Any records older than that are stored at the county probate office where the marriage took place.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Alabama?

You may get a certified copy of your marriage certificate in person sameday, but if you order online or through the mail, you must wait a few days.

How much does an Alabama marriage certificate cost?

You must pay a $15 fee when searching for a marriage certificate. That fee includes the cost of one certified copy. You can also request additional copies for $6 each.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When purchasing a certified copy of someone's marriage certificate, you will need the following information:

  1. Full names before first marriage of both spouses.
  2. Date of marriage.
  3. County where marriage license was issued.
  4. Your name.
  5. Your signature.
  6. Address where the certificate is to be mailed.
  7. Your daytime phone number.

How do I get a copy of an Alabama marriage record?

First, you contact the Alabama Public Health agency. You can visit their website and download their order form. You can mail the form with payment to:

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

Other options are visiting any health department office in the state or ordering online through VitalChek.

What if I didn't get married in Alabama?

Alabama has resources for getting you a copy of your marriage certificate, even if you were married in another state or out of the country. They suggest you use this nationallist of vital records offices to find the office you need.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Alabama?

First, you need to get a "Amendment to Alabama Marriage Certificate and Decree of Correction" from the Alabama county probate court. You must complete the form, sign it, and have it notarized before returning it to the court for filing. Once it is filed, a copy will be sent to the Alabama Department of Public Health's Center for Health Statistics and kept with your original.

Alabama Divorce Records

The Alabama Center for Health Statistics started storing and issuing divorce certificates in 1950. Anyone looking for records older than that would need to visit the circuit court where the divorce occurred. Divorce records in Alabama are completely unrestricted, and you can get a copy of anyone's by paying the fee and providing information for the search. You may need to obtain a certified copy of your Alabama divorce record if you are getting remarried or need to change your name. There are other legal purposes for divorce record as well. The Alabama Public Health agency also provides Apostille and Exemplified copies of vital records if you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Alabama?

Yes. Divorce records in Alabama are open to the public, and you can easily search and purchase a copy of anyone's.

How do I find old divorce records?

The Alabama Center for Health Statistics has records going back to 1950, but if you need older divorce records, you should contact the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You may get a copy of your divorce certificate by downloading the form from the Alabama Public Health agency and mailing it to:

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

You can also order online through VitalChek or visit any county health department and with walk-in service get one immediately. 

How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?

Divorce certificates cost $15 each for the search and one certified copy. If you need additional copies, they cost $6 each (if ordered at the same time).

What information is needed to search for an Alabama divorce record?

When requesting a copy of your own or someone else's divorce record, you need the following information:

  1. Full names before first marriage of both spouses.
  2. Date of divorce.
  3. County where divorce was granted.
  4. Your name.
  5. Your signature.
  6. Address where the certificate is to be mailed.
  7. Your daytime phone number.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Alabama?

If some other state granted your divorce, you should consult this CDC list of vital records offices to find the appropriate agency to help.