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What are Alabama Vital Records?
Vital records in Alabama are records of all births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the state of Alabama. Some Alabama vital records are confidential, and access to them is restricted.
The Alabama Public Health, Center for Health Statistics collects health-related data for the State of Alabama and operates the system of vital records. You can find instructions for accessing Alabama vital records by visiting their site.
How Can I Get a Birth Certificate in Alabama?
Anyone can search for and obtain, when available, a birth certificate older than 125 years in Alabama. However, Alabama birth certificates that are less than 125 years old are considered confidential records, and a copy of one may only be obtained by the following persons:
- The person named on the birth certificate.
- The mother, father, or legal guardian of the person named on the birth certificate.
- The child of the person named on the birth certificate.
- The husband or wife of the person named on the birth certificate.
- A legal representative of one of the authorized persons.
The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges a fee of $15 to search for a birth certificate. This fee includes one certified copy of the birth certificate, or they will issue a "Certificate of Failure to Find" if their search does not return a match.
The center asks that you provide as much as possible of the following information when you request a birth certificate search:
- Full name of the person at birth.
- County or city of birth.
- Hospital of birth.
- Date of birth.
- Sex of person.
- Full name of both parents at the time of birth.
- Your name.
- Your relationship to the person whose certificate is requested.
- The address you want the certificate mailed to.
- Your signature.
- A copy of your approved identification (you can find a list of approved forms of identification at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/id-requirements.html).
How Can I Get a Death Certificate in Alabama?
Death certificates in Alabama are confidential records and have restricted access for 25 years after the date of death. After 25 years, anyone may obtain an Alabama death certificate.
Until 25 years have passed from the date of death, only the following persons may obtain a death certificate in Alabama:
- Mother or father of the deceased person.
- Husband or wife of the deceased person.
- Child of the deceased person.
- Sister or brother of the deceased person.
- The grandchild of the deceased person if able to demonstrate entitlement.
- The legal representative of the family or estate.
- An informant listed on the death certificate as having provided information.
The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges a fee of $15 to conduct a search for a death certificate. This fee includes one certified copy of the death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." The center asks that you provide as much as possible of the following information when requesting a search:
- The full legal name of the deceased.
- County or city of death.
- Date of death.
- Sex of deceased.
- Social security number of deceased
- Race.
- Date of birth or age of death.
- Name of a spouse.
- Name of parents.
- Your name.
- Your signature.
- Your relationship to the deceased (if the death occurred less than 25 years ago).
- Address where the certificate should be mailed.
- Your telephone numbers.
- A copy of your approved identification (you can find a list of approved forms of identification at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/id-requirements.html). If the death occurred more than 25 years from the date of request, there is no identification requirement.
How Can I Get a Marriage Certificate in Alabama?
Unlike Alabama birth and death certificates, marriage certificates in Alabama are unrestricted. Anyone may obtain a copy of an Alabama marriage certificate by paying the required fee and providing enough information for a record search.
The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15 to search for a marriage certificate, which includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find". The Center asks that you provide as much as possible of the following information when requesting a marriage certificate search:
- Full names before the first marriage of both spouses.
- County where the marriage license was issued
- Date of marriage.
- Your name.
- Your signature.
- Address where the certificate is to be mailed.
- Your telephone numbers.
In Alabama, you may obtain a marriage certificate for the purposes of being married from the probate county judge in any county in Alabama. You do not have to reside in the county where you obtain the license, and you can use the license to be legally married in any county in the state.
Alabama recognizes same sex-marriages, and residency in the state is not required to obtain an Alabama marriage license. Furthermore, there is no waiting period after obtaining the license before you can be married, and no witnesses or blood tests are required.
Alabama views marriage as a legal contract between two parties of at least 18 years old or, with parental consent, at least 16 years old. The marriage is legal if the license is completed by both parties, signed, and delivered to the Alabama probate court for filing. A wedding ceremony is not required for legal marriage in Alabama.
How Can I Get a Divorce Certificate in Alabama?
Like marriage certificates, Alabama divorce certificates are unrestricted and may be obtained by anyone who pays the required fee and provides enough information for a records search.
The Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15 to conduct a divorce certificate search. The fee includes one certified copy of the divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find". The Center asks that you provide as much as possible of the following information when requesting a divorce certificate search:
- Full names of both spouses before their first marriage.
- Date of divorce.
- County where the divorce was granted.
- Your name.
- Your signature.
- The address where the certificate is to be mailed.
- Your telephone numbers.
A records database and online system, the Vital Statistics Image Oriented Network, "VISION", is available and permits vital records to be issued through the county health departments of the State of Alabama.
If you want to obtain a "Keepsake Birth Certificate" of a birth occurring in Alabama, which is only intended for the purposes of display or framing and not to be used for legal purposes, you may contact the Keepsake Birth Certificate Page for the Alabama Public Health Department. You will need to complete the Request for Alabama Keepsake Birth Certificate Form to obtain this document.