How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Alabama?
In Alabama, certified death certificates come from the Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $15Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $6Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
In Alabama, the first certified copy costs $15Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, and each additional copy ordered at the same time $6Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Alabama estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Death certificates in Alabama are issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Online orders go through VitalChekAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Most funeral homes also place the first order for the family at the time of death.
Standard processing in Alabama takes 7-10 daysAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
In Alabama, a certified copy can be ordered by: Mother or father of person named on certificate, Husband or wife of person named on certificate, Son or daughter of person named on certificate, Sister or brother of person named on certificateAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A requester shows Completed request and One current primary photo ID (expired no more than 60 days), or two different secondary IDsAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
The Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source holds death records from 1908Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to the present. A record becomes public 25 yearsAlabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source after the date of death.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
Learn more
Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn more
Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
Learn more
Named as Trustee
Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Alabama
Free forms for settling an estate in Alabama: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Alabama, the petition asks the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtAla. Code §§ 43-2-20, 43-2-40 (letters granted by the probate court; Alabama has no registrar/informal-appointment track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Alabama, the notice to creditors is published for 3Ala. Code §§ 43-2-60, 43-2-61, 43-2-350, 43-2-354, 43-2-371Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 monthsAla. Code § 43-2-350Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Alabama, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveAla. Code § 43-2-25Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Estate Inventory
In Alabama, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysAla. Code §§ 43-2-835, 43-2-836Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Alabama, the personal representative is discharged by court orderAla. Code §§ 43-2-628, 43-2-516Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Alabama
Free tools for settling an estate in Alabama: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
Do I Need Probate?
In Alabama, estates with personal property of $47,000Ala. Code § 43-2-696.02Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less qualify for the Summary DistributionAla. Code § 43-2-696.02Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysAla. Code § 43-2-696.02Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court procedure short of full probate.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Alabama requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Ala. Code § 40-18-5Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Alabama: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysAla. Code §§ 43-2-835, 43-2-836Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsAla. Code §§ 43-2-60, 43-2-61, 43-2-350, 43-2-354, 43-2-371Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Alabama, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $47,000Ala. Code § 43-2-696.02Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 monthsAla. Code § 43-2-350Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Alabama levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax. The Ala. Code Title 40, Ch. 15 estate tax (§ 40-15-2) is a federal-credit "pickup" tax — still codified, but levied "only ... to the extent of absorbing" the federal state death tax credit, so it has computed to $0 since Congress eliminated that credit. Alabama has no separate inheritance tax and no gift tax, and the Alabama Department of Revenue confirms estates with a date of death after Dec. 31, 2004 are not required to file.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Alabama imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax. The Ala. Code Title 40, Ch. 15 estate tax (§ 40-15-2) is a federal-credit "pickup" tax — still codified, but levied "only ... to the extent of absorbing" the federal state death tax credit, so it has computed to $0 since Congress eliminated that credit. Alabama has no separate inheritance tax and no gift tax, and the Alabama Department of Revenue confirms estates with a date of death after Dec. 31, 2004 are not required to file.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 12 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Alabama take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesAla. Code § 40-18-5 (graduated 2%/4%/5% individual income tax) — ADOR rate FAQVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Hire an Alabama Probate Attorney
Browse 70 probate firms in Alabama with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Alabama Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Alabama probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.