Are Alabama Vital Records Open to the Public?
It depends. Not all Alabama vital records are open to the public. According to Alabama Vital Statistics Laws and Rules, public vital records can be made available to anyone who can provide enough information to facilitate a search (and satisfy all other requirements) to request them. However, some are restricted and open only to immediate family members (or legal representatives) of the person named on the record.
What Information Shows Up in Alabama Vital Records?
Alabama vital records provide an official account of vital events that occur within state limits, such as records of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and related occurrences. These records typically feature information regarding the record holder as well as details of the event, and they can be used for various purposes.
How Do I Obtain Alabama Vital Records Online?
Persons searching for Alabama vital records online may utilize the online resources provided by official state custodians or opt for third-party alternatives. Typically, inquirers are required to provide pertinent information to facilitate the search, some of which include:
- Name on the Record
- Date of the Event
- Location of the Event
- Father's name (if applicable)
- Mother's maiden name (if applicable)
- Relationship to the person on the record
- Acceptable identification (if applicable)
- Daytime phone number
- Address where the certificate should be sent (For mail-in requests)
| Find Alabama Vital Records by County | County Health Department | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Autauga Health Department | 219 North Court Street Prattville, Alabama 36067 | Office: (334) 361-3743 Fax: (334) 361-3718 |
| Baldwin County Health Department | 22251 Palmer Street P.O. Drawer 369 Robertsdale, Alabama 36567 | Phone: (251) 947-3618 Fax: (251) 947-3557 |
| Barbour County Health Department | P.O. Box 238 634 School Street Eufaula, Alabama 36027 | Office: (334) 687-4808 Fax: (334) 687-6470 |
| Bibb County Health Department | 281 Alexander Ave, Centreville, AL 35042, Office: (205) 926-9702 | Fax: (205) 926-6536 |
| Blount County Health Department | 1001 Lincoln Avenue Oneonta, Alabama 35121 | Office: (205) 274-2120 Fax: (205) 274-2210 |
| Bullock County Health Department | 674 Hicks Industrial Boulevard Union Springs, Alabama 36089 | Office: (334) 738-3030 Fax: (334) 738-3008 |
| Butler County Health Department | 350 Airport Road Greenville, Alabama 36037 | Office: (334) 382-3154 Fax: (334) 382-3530 |
| Calhoun Health Department | 3400 McClellan Boulevard Anniston, Alabama 36201 | Office: (256) 237-7523 Fax: (256) 238-0851 |
| Chambers County Health Department | 5 North Medical Park Drive Valley, Alabama 36854 | Office: (334) 756-0758 Fax: (334) 756-0765 |
| Cherokee County Health Department | 833 Cedar Bluff Road Centre, Alabama 35960 | Phone: (256) 927-3132 Fax: (256) 927-2809 |
| Chilton County Health Department | 301 Health Center Drive Clanton, Alabama 35045 | Office: (205) 755-1287 Fax: (205) 755-2027 |
| Choctaw County Health Department | 1001 South Mulberry Avenue Butler, Alabama 36904 | Office: (205) 459-4026 Fax: (205) 459-4027 |
| Clarke County Health Department | 22600 Highway 84 East Grove Hill, Alabama 36451 Mailing Address P.O. Box 477 Grove Hill, Alabama 36451 | Office: (251) 275-3772 Fax: (251) 275-8066 |
| Clay County Health Department | 86892 Highway 9 Lineville, Alabama 36266 | Office: (256) 396-6421 Fax: (256) 396-9172 |
| Cleburne County Health Department | 90 Brockford Road Heflin, Alabama 36264-1605 | Office: (256) 463-2296 Fax: (256) 463-2772 |
| Coffee County Health Department | Health Department/Environmental Services 2841 Neal Metcalf Road Enterprise, Alabama 36330 | Office: (334) 347-9574 Fax: (334) 347-7104 |
| Colbert County Health Department | 1000 S. Jackson Highway Sheffield, Alabama 35660 | Office: (256) 383-1231 Fax: (256) 383-8843 |
| Conecuh County Health Department | 102 Wild Avenue Evergreen, Alabama 36401 | Phone: (251) 578-1952 Fax: (251) 578-5566 |
| Coosa Health Department | 9518 U.S. Highway 231 Rockford, Alabama 35136 | Office: (256) 377-1068 Fax: (256) 377-1067 |
| Covington County Health Department | 23989 Alabama Highway 55 Andalusia, Alabama 36420 | Office: (334) 222-1175 Fax: (334) 222-1560 |
| Crenshaw County Health Department | 15 Hospital Drive Luverne, Alabama 36049 | Office: (334) 335-2471 Fax: (334) 335-3795 |
| Cullman County Health Department | 601 Logan Avenue, S.W. Cullman, Alabama 35055 | Office: (256) 734-1030 Fax: (256) 737-9646 |
| Dale County Health Department | 532 W. Roy Parker Road Ozark, Alabama 36360 | Phone: (334) 774-5146 Fax: (334) 774-2333 |
| Dallas County Health Department | 100 Samuel O. Moseley Drive Selma, Alabama 36701 | Office: (334) 874-2550 Fax: (334) 875-7960 |
| DeKalb County Health Department | 2401 Calvin Drive, Southwest Fort Payne, Alabama 35967 | Office: (256) 845-1931 Fax: (256) 845-2967 |
| Elmore County Health Department | 6501 U.S. Highway 231 Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 | Office: (334) 567-1186 Fax: (334) 567-1186 |
| Escambia County Health Department | 8600 Highway 31 North Atmore, Alabama 36502 | Phone: (251) 368-9188 Fax: (251) 368-9189 |
| Etowah County Health Department | 709 East Broad Street Gadsden, Alabama 35903 | Phone: (256) 547-6311 Fax: (256) 549-1579 |
| Fayette Health Department | 215 1st Avenue NW Fayette, Alabama 35555 | Office: (205) 932-5260 Fax: (205) 932-3532 |
| Franklin County Health Department | Franklin County Health Department 801 Highway 48 Russellville, Alabama 35654 Mailing Address Franklin County Health Department P.O. Box 100 Russellville, Alabama 35653 | Office: (256) 332-2700 Fax: (256) 332-1563 |
| Geneva County Health Department | 300 County Road 41 Hartford, Alabama 36344 | Office: (334) 684-2256 Fax: (334) 684-3970 |
| Greene County Health Department | 412 Morrow Avenue Eutaw, Alabama 35462-1109 | Office: (205) 372-9361 Fax: (205) 372-9283 |
| Hale County Health Department | 670 Hall Street Greensboro, Alabama 36744 | Office: (334) 624-3018 Fax: (334) 624-4721 |
| Henry County Health Department | P.O. Box 86 505 Kirkland Street Abbeville, Alabama 36310 | Office: (334) 585-2660 Fax: (334) 585-3036 |
| Houston County Health Department | 1781 East Cottonwood Road Dothan, Alabama 36301 | (334) 678-2800 (334) 678-2817 |
| Jackson County Health Department | 204 Liberty Lane Scottsboro, Alabama 35769-4133 | Office: (256) 259-4161 Fax: ( 256) 259-1330 |
| Jefferson County Health Department | 1400 Sixth Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35233 | Phone: (205) 933-9110 |
| Lamar County Health Department | 300 Springfield Road Vernon, Alabama 35592 | Office: (205) 695-9195 Fax: (205) 695-9214 |
| Lauderdale County Health Department | 4112 Chisholm Road Florence, Alabama 35630 Mailing Address P.O. Box 3569 Florence, Alabama 35630 | Office: (256) 764-7453 Fax: (256) 764-4185 |
| Lawrence County Health Department | 13299 Alabama Highway 157 Moulton, Alabama 35650 Mailing address: 13299 Alabama Highway 157 Moulton, Alabama 35650 | Main Office: (256) 974-1141 Fax: (256) 974-5587 |
| Lee County Health Department | 1801 Corporate Drive Opelika, Alabama 36801 | Office: (334) 745-5765 Fax: (334) 745-9830 |
| Limestone County Health Department | 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive Athens, Alabama 35611 | Office: (256) 232-3200 Fax: (256) 232-6632 |
| Lowndes County Health Department | 507 East Tuskeena Street Hayneville, Alabama 36040 | Office: (334) 548-2564 Fax: (334) 548-2566 |
| Macon County Health Department | 812 Hospital Road Tuskegee, Alabama 36083 | Office: (334) 727-1800 Fax: (334) 727-7100 |
| Madison County Health Department | 301 Max Luther Drive NW Huntsville, Alabama 35811 Mailing address: P.O. Box 17708 Huntsville, Alabama 35810 | Phone: (256) 539-3711 Fax: (256) 536-2084 |
| Marengo County Health Department | 303 Industrial Drive Linden, Alabama 36748 | Office: (334) 295-4205 Fax: (334) 295-0124 |
| Marion County Health Department | 2448 Military Street South Hamilton, Alabama 35570 | Office: (205) 921-3118 Fax: (205) 921-7954 |
| Marshall County Health Department | 150 Judy Smith Drive Guntersville, Alabama 35976 | Main: (256) 582-3174 Fax: (256) 582-3548 |
| Mobile County Health Department | Mobile County Health Department 251 North Bayou St. Mobile, Alabama 36603 | Office: (251) 690-8158 |
| Monroe County Health Department | 416 Agriculture Drive Monroeville, Alabama 36460 | Phone: (251) 575-3108 Fax: (251) 575-7935 |
| Montgomery County Health Department | 3060 Mobile Highway Montgomery, Alabama 36108 | Office: (334) 293-6400 Fax: (334) 293-6410 |
| Morgan County Health Department | 3821 Hwy. 31 South Decatur, Alabama 35603 | Main Office: (256) 353-7021 Fax: (256) 353-7901 |
| Perry County Health Department | 1748 South Washington St. Marion, Alabama 36756 | Office: (334) 683-6153 Fax: (334) 683-4509 |
| Pickens County Health Department | 80 William E. Hill Drive Carrollton, Alabama 35447 | Office: (205) 367-8157 Fax: (205) 367-8376 |
| Pike County Health Department | 900 South Franklin Drive Troy, Alabama 36081 | Phone: (334) 566-2860 Fax: (334) 566-8534 |
| Randolph County Health Department | 320 Main Street Roanoke, Alabama 36274 | Phone: (334) 863-8981 Fax: (334) 863-8975 |
| Russell County Health Department | 1850 Crawford Road Phenix City, Alabama 36867 | Office: (334) 297-0251 Fax: (334) 291-5478 |
| Shelby County Health Department | 2000 County Services Drive P.O. Box 846 Pelham, Alabama 35124 | Office: (205) 664-2470 Fax: (205) 664-4148 |
| St. Clair County Health Department | 1175 23rd Street North Pell City, Alabama 35125 | Phone: (205) 338-3357 Fax: (205) 338-4863 |
| Sumter County Health Department | 1121 North Washington Street Livingston, Alabama 35470 | Office: (205) 652-7972 Fax: (205) 652-4331 |
| Talladega County Health Department | Physical Address: 1004 South Street E Talladega, Alabama 35160 Mailing Address: Talladega Health Department P.O. Box 455 Talladega, Alabama 35161 | Office: (256) 362-2593 Fax: (256) 362-0529 |
| Tallapoosa County Health Department | 2078 Sportsplex Boulevard Alexander City, Alabama 35010 | Office: (256) 329-0531 Fax: (256) 329-1798 |
| Tuscaloosa County Health Department | 2350 Hargrove Road East Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 | Office: (205) 562-6900 Fax: (205) 562-6903 |
| Walker County Health Department | 705 20th Avenue East Jasper, Alabama 35501 | Office: (205) 221-9775 Fax: (205) 221-8810 |
| Washington County Health Department | 14900 St. Stephens Avenue Chatom, Alabama 36518 | Office: (251) 847-2245 Fax: (251) 847-3480 |
How Do I Obtain Alabama Vital Records?
When submitting a request for an Alabama vital record, the requestor will need to complete and submit the vital records request application form, along with the full payment for the record search and copy. In addition, the requestor must provide an acceptable form of identification for restricted records before receiving the document.
The Center for Health Statistics of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) maintains vital records dating back to 1908. Requests for these records can be made online, by mail, or in person at any local county health department. Online submissions are handled by third-party websites and will incur additional fees dictated by the service provider.
Some third-party aggregate sites also manage and disseminate publicly available vital records. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a document using search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide the following:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
A certified copy of an Alabama vital record is issued by the ADPH on security paper and will contain an embossed government seal. These documents are issued to eligible applicants and can be used for legal and identification purposes. An informational copy is typically a notification given to ineligible applicants and cannot be used for legal intentions.
Are Alabama Marriage Records Public Information?
Yes. Marriage records in Alabama are public records. Thus, any requestor who can provide adequate information for a record search and pay all applicable fees can request and obtain a marriage record in Alabama.
How Do I Obtain Alabama Marriage Records?
The Center for Health Statistics of the ADPH records marriages that occurred in the state from August 1936. Before this date, researchers must obtain information on marriages from the Probate Judge in the county where the license was issued.
Marriage record searches cost $15, including one certified copy of the marriage certificate or a "Failure to Find" certificate if the researcher cannot find the record. Additional copies cost $6 each if ordered at the same time. Requests for marriage records can be made online, by mail (to the state office), or by walk-in (at any county health department).
To make mail requests for public marriage records, complete the vital records request application form and submit it along with the proper fee (check/money order payable to State Board of Health) to:
Alabama Vital Records
Alabama Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
To make walk-in requests for marriage records, complete the vital records request application form and deliver it, along with the complete fee, to the nearest county health department. Most marriage certificates can be issued while the applicant waits.
How to Get an Alabama Marriage Certificate
As of August 29, 2019, prospective spouses in Alabama are no longer required to submit a marriage license application to their county's probate court. Instead, prospective partners can fill out the Alabama marriage certificate form and submit it for recording to a county probate court. Before submitting their application to a county probate court, applicants must have it notarized. County probate courts also charge a filing fee. The filing fee may range from $73 to $89. This depends on the county probate court. The applicants' marriage will become official after the probate court records and approves their application, and they will receive an Alabama marriage certificate.
For a marriage certificate, the ADPH search fee is $15. One certified copy of a marriage certificate or "certificate of failure to find" is included with the charge; each additional certificate requested costs $6. The ADPH accepts requests for existing marriage records in the state both by mail and in person. For more information about how to find marriage records in Alabama, visit the marriage certificate webpage on the ADPH website.
Are Alabama Divorce Records Public Information?
Alabama State laws classify Alabama divorce records as open records. Therefore, these records can be requested by anyone who provides enough information for a record search and pays all requisite fees.
How Do I Find Alabama Divorce Records?
The ADPH Center for Health Statistics has records of divorces in the state; therefore, these are from January 1950. Records of divorces that occurred earlier are obtainable from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce decree was issued.
Searches for divorce records cost $15, and this will include a certified copy of the divorce decree or a Certificate of Failure to Find. Additional copies of a divorce record (ordered at the same time) cost $6 each. Divorce records can be applied online by mail-in applications to the State Office or walk-in applications at any county health department.
Mail applicants must include a completed vital records request, an application form, and a check or money order for the complete fee, payable to the State Board of Health. Send form and payment to:
Alabama Vital Records
Alabama Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Walk-in applications can be made at any county health department. Deliver a completed vital records request application form and the complete fee in person to the office. Most divorce certificates can be issued while the applicant waits.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Alabama
Eligible parties can obtain a certified divorce certificate in Alabama from the ADPH Center for Health and Statistics. The ADPH maintains divorce certificates and other dissolution of marriage records from 1950 to the present.
Under state laws, there are no restrictions on who can request and obtain dissolution of marriage records, including divorce certificates in Alabama. Therefore, anyone can get certified divorce certificates through the ADPH if they can provide enough information to search for the record and pay the necessary search fee. The ADPH accepts both in-person and mail-in requests. Record seekers can acquire a divorce certificate from the county's circuit court where the divorce was concluded if the certificate was recorded before 1950.
Are Alabama Birth Records Public Information?
Alabama birth records, which are less than 125 years old, are classified as restricted records. Public access to these records is restricted to specific individuals and entities who must prove their eligibility to receive copies of the documents. The individuals who can order birth certificates in Alabama are:
- The person named on the record who might need a birth certificate replacement.
- A parent or legal guardian
- Husband or wife of the person named on the record
- Son or daughter of the person named on the record
- Sister or brother of the person named on the record
- A legal representative of an authorized person
Meanwhile, records older than 125 years are not restricted and are available to any member of the public who can provide enough information for the search of the document. Applicants must pay all applicable fees before receiving an Alabama birth record, and an acceptable form of identification must be presented for restricted documents.
How Do I Obtain Alabama Birth Records?
The Center for Health Statistics of the ADPH has retained records of births in the state since January 1908. A fee of $15 is charged, and this covers the birth certificate search and a certified copy of the certificate or a Certificate for Failure to Find. Additional documents of the duplicate records ordered at the same time will cost $6 each. Requests for birth records can be made online, by mail, or by a walk-in application.
Mail requests should be made by completing the vital records request application form and sending it in with the proper fee (money order/check, payable to State Board of Health) and a copy of an acceptable form of identification to the following:
Alabama Vital Records
Alabama Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Walk-in requests can be made by going to any county health department and submitting a completed application form and the full payment. The applicant must provide acceptable identification if the record is restricted (i.e., less than 125 years old). Most birth certificates can be issued while the applicant waits.
Is a Birth Certificate a Public Record in Alabama?
No, according to Alabama state laws, birth certificates are private information. This is because they are certified copies of the record and can be used for official purposes. Hence, the aforementioned eligibility requirements apply.
In the event that an original birth certificate gets misplaced or destroyed, record holders can request a replacement birth certificate from the Alabama Vital Record Office.
Record seekers should note that there are identification requirements for obtaining a copy of an original birth certificate. The purpose of these identification requirements is to confirm the requestor's identity and eligibility to obtain the requested certificate. The search fee for a birth certificate is $15. The fee covers one certified copy of a birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find". record seekers are charged $6 per each additional copy requested.
Records seekers are advised to include as much information as possible when requesting birth certificates to aid in identifying the birth certificate. These particulars comprise, but are not restricted to, the registrant:
- Full name
- The date of birth
- Sex
- The name of the county or city of birth
- The name of the hospital of birth (for births outside "home")
Alabama vital records office accepts both in-person and by-mail requests for birth certificates. For a mail-in request, record seekers must download and complete the Mail-In Application (also available in Spanish). A completed mail-in application, identification requirements, and appropriate fee can be sent to the ADPH to obtain a replacement birth certificate. For an in-person request, eligible persons can visit any county health department in Alabama to request a certified birth certificate. The Alabama Vital Records Office website provides a helpful online resource containing the addresses of all county health departments and a reference map record seekers can use.
Are Alabama Death Records Open to the Public?
Alabama death records under 25 years are considered restricted and not open to the general public. These records are only available to specified parties, who must show eligibility to receive these records. These specified parties are:
- A parent of the person named on the record.
- Spouse of the person named on the record.
- An adult child of the person named on the record
- Adult Sibling of the person named on the record
- A grandchild of the person named on the record when demonstrating entitlement
- The legal representative of family or estate
Death records older than 25 years are public records and are open to general members who can provide enough information for the death record search and meet any other requirements. To perform a public death records search by name, the requester must pay all required fees and meet identification requirements (where required) before any request process begins.
How Do I Find Alabama Death Records?
The ADPH Center of Health Statistics has records of death certificates filed for deceased persons in the state from January 1908. A death certificate search costs $15, and the applicant will receive a certified copy of the Death Certificate or a Failure to Find certificate. Requests for additional copies of the same record that are made simultaneously will cost $6 each. Application for copies of death records can be made online, by mail (to the State Office), or by Walk-in (at any county Health Department). Applicants requesting restricted records must provide an acceptable form of identification before processing begins on the record.
For walk-in applications, requesters must complete the vital records request application form and return it to the nearest county health department, along with the complete fee. If the applicant requests a restricted record (records less than 25 years old), they must provide an acceptable form of identification before processing the application. Most death certificates can be issued while the applicant waits.
Is a Death Certificate Public Record in Alabama?
Death certificates aren't considered a public record in Alabama. Under Alabama state laws, death certificates are kept confidential for 25 years from the date of death. Only select individuals are allowed to access confidential death certificates,] upon payment of the appropriate fees. These include:
- The decedent's father or mother named on the certificate
- The decedent spouse named on the certificate
- The decedent child(ren)
- The decedent sibling(s)
- The descendant grandchild(ren),
- Informant(s) listed on the certificate
- A legal representative of the decedent's estate.
How Do I Find Sealed Vital Records?
Vital records filed by the ADPH are both restricted and unrestricted, depending on the type and age of the record. Restricted records are available to select entities, and open documents are available to the general public. For papers with limited access, an application to unseal the records must be made with the court, which ordered the sealing of the document by being sealed.
Vital Statistics in Alabama
According to Alabama Vital Statistics Laws § 22-9A-1, vital statistics are data derived from certificates and reports of vital events in the state. Vital events include birth, deaths, induced pregnancy terminations, marriages, divorce, and related reports. Vital statistics are studied and analyzed to identify crucial trends in a geographical region. These include infant mortality rates, natality rates, causes of death, marriage, and divorce.
In Alabama, the state's Department of Public Health's Center for Vital Statistics serves as the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics. The center is not only responsible for collecting and tabulating health-related statistical data. The center also maintains and operates the vital records system in the state. Hence, state residents can access and find vital statistics about the state of Alabama through the ADPH's Center for Vital Statistics. The center provides several online resources for viewing state vital statistics remotely. These include the state Statistical Query System, which provides the frequencies of Alabama residents' births and deaths. Other recent publications on vital statistics are also available on the Center for Health Statistics webpage.
