Vital Records Online (VRO), a US-based service, offers a secure and simple platform for obtaining Alabama’s birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates online. Your documents will be safely delivered with guaranteed confidentiality.
Summary:
Alabama, known as the Cotton State, is home to approximately 4.8 million people. Alabama became the first state in the nation to establish a health department in each county.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) was founded in 1875. In 1877, Alabama created the office of the State Health Officer, and the agency’s first head was established in 1879. The Alabama Department of Public Health is the government’s primary state health agency, providing public health services to the residents of Alabama.
The Center for Health Statistics (ADPH-CHS) operates the vital records system. Also, it collects and tabulates health-related statistical data for the State of Alabama. The Center for Health Statistics (ADPH-CHS) files, stores, and issues certified copies of all vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for events that occur in Alabama.
Some Alabama vital records are confidential; for birth records, 125 years must pass before they become public and 25 years from death. Therefore, they are only accessible to authorized individuals permitted to access them during that time. Learn to obtain certified copies of official Alabama vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. If you’re doing an ancestry search, the Center for Health Statistics may be able to access the available public archives. Discover the information they contain, where to obtain them, and how they are used.
Start Your Application Online for AL Vital Records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Obtain marriage records for yourself or a family member.
Get an original copy of a death certificate replacement for a lost record.
Birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates are important pieces of documentation that serve various roles in our lives. They provide proof of identity, citizenship, and family ties. They can be instrumental in resolving legal disputes, claiming inheritances, and tracing family histories. These vital records can provide valuable information about your ancestors – including their full names, birth and death dates, and places of origin. If you misplace a birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificate, you should report it to the police and request a replacement copy immediately, as vital records are essential for life’s most meaningful events, like marriage, enrolling in school, military, or traveling.
In Alabama, the Center for Health Statistics issues vital records through their automated vital records system, ViSION, which allows them to be administered through all Alabama county health departments. You can search where to request a replacement from the list below of all Alabama counties’ health departments. The list contains locations, contact information, and access to online applications for requesting birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.
❗️ If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Alabama, they are freely available from various public archives.
Visiting the Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
Alabama residents have several options for obtaining their vital records. In-person and mail-in applications are possible at county offices, but ordering online is the most efficient and reliable way to acquire certified copies. The Alabama Department of Public Health’s Center for Health Statistics provides detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements for obtaining certified copies of birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.
It is essential to check the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times before ordering certified vital records from the CHS. Once these requirements are understood, the procedure is straightforward.
Ordering Alabama vital records online with VRO is quick and involves two simple steps:
You can request an Alabama birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate online if you are eligible as an authorized person. Ensure you possess the required documents before making your order, as you must upload photocopies during the secure online application process.
VRO offers a simple system to gather and generate the required documents quickly. It also guides you on how and where to submit these documents. Our online system allows you to submit your application from any device with an internet connection in as little as five minutes. The system also helps guarantee that your request is approved by avoiding common mistakes or forgotten documents.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased during the online application to save future processing costs.
✔︎ Learn more about how the online ordering and handling process works.
For those who live near the state health department, in-person applications for certified copies of vital records are available. Remember to confirm that the office is open to the public and prepare for potentially long wait times. Ordering by mail or online lets you avoid the need to visit the local office.
Whether you apply in person, by mail, or online, the basic requirements to request vital records are similar. For in-person applications, the following steps include:
Additionally, to apply by mail, you will need the following:
❗️ Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies from the original record.
It’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements for the specific vital record certificate you are requesting before gathering the documents for your application.
Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
The Alabama Department of Public Health requires all applicants to provide proof of identity. The table below shows the documents and necessary information to order a certified vital record copy in Alabama. Two forms of secondary ID may be accepted if you cannot provide a valid primary ID.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Alabama?
The ADPH-CHS has unique criteria for requesting birth, death, or marriage certificates. These requirements can vary, depending on certificate type and personal circumstances.
What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Alabama?
When applying for a vital record in Alabama, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.
Who can request vital records in Alabama?
The person on record can order a certified copy of their vital records. However, they must provide proof of identity when making the request.
If you request a birth, death, or marriage certificate on someone else’s behalf, ensure you are eligible by reviewing who is authorized to request the type of certificate you need. The eligibility of third parties varies based on the certificate type. According to Alabama law, marriage records are unrestricted and can be requested by anyone who can provide the required information. Refer to the table below for authorized third-party applicants for birth and death certificates.
✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record.
Do I need a notary with my application?
The Alabama Department of Public Health generally does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of vital records, regardless of the order method.
The costs for obtaining vital records certificates vary depending on the fees defined by the ADPH-CHS for each record type and the preferred application method.
The ADPH-CHS charges a $15.00 fee for certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates and $6.00 for each additional copy. When you order your records through VRO, the Application Filing Service starts at $29.
✔︎ Additional copies can be requested in the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.
VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.
How long will it take to receive my vital records from Alabama?
Processing times for ordering replacement birth, death, or marriage certificates may vary. Refer to the information below for current processing and delivery timelines. How you submit your application and documents impacts the total waiting time for receiving your vital record certificates.
❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by ADPH-CHS may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.
❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.
After you submit your application through VRO, you can monitor its processing by viewing its order status.
If you are manually sending your application packet to the health department, it is recommended to purchase first-class mail tracking to guarantee its safe delivery. The ADPH-CHS return-ships all vital records securely via USPS first-class mail but does not claim liability for misdirected certificates. A small mistake, such as a typo or a missing document, can result in prolonged waiting times, extra shipping costs, or exposure of your personal information.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Alabama counties office locations directory.
How can I get an apostille for a vital record?
An apostille is required when vital records are filed with a foreign government. Apostilles are only issued by the Secretary of State for vital records initially created and certified by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics (ADPH-CHS).
VRO provides apostille services for all 50 US states, is recognized by governments and organizations, and is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO provides apostille services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The apostille service costs $149 (plus government fees) and can be completed in three steps.
Once your apostille document is ready, we will mail it to you via FedEx or DHL. It doesn’t matter if you live in the U.S. or not—we use global shipping companies to deliver your documents anywhere.
You can obtain an apostille simultaneously when requesting your records from the Alabama Department of Health’s Center for Health Statistics; however, you cannot obtain an apostille if you request your documents in person at a local health department. If you already have a long-form certified copy of your vital records, you can send it directly to the Secretary of State with the application form and payment. Confirm that the document displays an original signature, embossed (raised), or ink-stamped seal of a currently commissioned Alabama public official.
The application form is the same if you request an apostille with copies of your new vital records from the Center for Health Statistics. However, you must write that you need an apostille under “Reason for Request” and specify which country you will submit your certificate to. Additionally, the fee is slightly more – an apostilled copy costs $25.00.
❗️ For simultaneous requests of vital records and apostilles, mail your application to the following address:
Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics PO Box 5625 Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625
To find more information about simultaneous requests for vital records replacements and apostilles, visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/apostille-and-exemplified-copies.html, or call (334) 206-5418.
Alternatively, you can order your vital records certificate online or in person and then send it to the Secretary of State.
If you are submitting your certificate manually to the Secretary of State, you will need to provide the following:
You can submit your request for apostilles in person (walk-in service available Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00) or by mail (express or standard) to the Secretary of State Authentication Division at the following address:
Office of the Secretary of State Authentication Division 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, Alabama 36130
You can find more information about requirements and restrictions when obtaining apostilles for Alabama vital records at https://www.sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/authentications/, or (334) 242-5325.
The ADPH provides a list of common scenarios that require an amendment to a person’s birth or death certificate on its website.
The ADPH-CHS also provides a straightforward procedure for when a person must amend a birth or death certificate. The process can vary based on the changes that need to be made. An addendum is created when a record needs to be changed or corrected, as the original document cannot be altered.
The ADPH does not handle marriage certificate amendments. Contact the county probate court that filed the certificate to correct a marriage certificate.
The process and requirements for amending a certificate can vary. Commonly, corrections or amendments to vital records will require the following:
Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:
A notarized form or statement (may or may not be required depending on the specific amendment and record type)
❗️ For amendments to marriage certificates on or after August 29th, 2019, a form called “Amendment to Alabama Marriage Certificate and Decree of Correction” must be notarized and signed by both spouses.
❗️ For amendments to birth or death certificates, a notarized statement generally is not required. In most cases, additional documentation or court order will be required.
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.
Where can I search for free public records?
In Alabama, birth certificates are made public after 125 years, while death certificates are made public after 25 years. Marriage certificates are publicly accessible to anyone with sufficient information for the record search and appropriate fee payment. Locating free public records can be demanding; however, many vital records are free and publicly accessible. You can browse Alabama’s birth, marriage, and death record archives for the information you are seeking, but realize that it may take substantial time to find the records you’re looking for.
Are Alabama Vital Records Open to the Public?
Many state records in Alabama are accessible to the public depending on the certificate type and the year that the birth, death, divorce, or marriage occurred.
Third-party websites can be helpful resources for researching different types of vital records. These websites are easily accessible online and are not restricted by your geographic location. However, be aware that the information on these websites may be inconsistent with official government records. To browse records on a third-party site, you will need to provide the following general information:
Alabama residents have the right under the Alabama Public Records Act (APRA) to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.
Every state, county, and municipality maintains distinctive vital records. The appearance of your birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate may vary based on the issuing authority and the year it was created. To confirm you possess an official certified copy, verify that there are no stamps or prints present stating “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or any similar wording. This will ensure that your document is valid and can be used for identification purposes.
Authorized Copy:
Only authorized copies constitute legal documents that can be used for official identification. In contrast, informational copies cannot be used for official identification. Therefore, certified vital records can only be issued to people with legal authorization or a “demonstrate a legal right to the record.”
Informational Copy:
In Alabama, you can order a keepsake birth certificate. Though keepsake birth certificates do not constitute legal documents, The Center for Health Statistics still requires applicants to provide an accepted form of identification when requesting keepsake birth certificates. You do not need to give a notary statement if you request an informational copy. In compliance with the Alabama Public Records Act (APRA), citizens can inspect or obtain copies of public records.
Marriage certificates are publicly accessible. With sufficient information for the record search and payment of the appropriate fee, anyone can request them.
Check the resources section below for references to additional birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Visit the official Alabama government website at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/
