State Vital Records in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Alabama. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics
State Vital Records in Alabama: key facts
- Administering office
- Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics.
- Contact
- Phone 888-279-9888.
- Mail orders
- Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy; $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $15.
- Processing time
- 7-10 days.
- Who may order
- Immediate family member; Person with demonstrated legal right to the record.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 25 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1908.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Alabama — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek with credit/debit card
- By phone: Call VitalChek toll-free at 1-888-279-9888
- By mail: Mail request with check or money order to Center for Health Statistics
- In person: Visit any county health department in Alabama
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo identification
- Allow the office's processing time (7-10 days).
Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics
Phone: 888-279-9888
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek toll-free at 1-888-279-9888. by mail: Mail request with check or money order to Center for Health Statistics. in person: Visit any county health department in Alabama. Mail orders go to Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo identification. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Alabama primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics