Where to Order a Death Certificate in Alabama
Alabama death certificates are issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. You cannot order directly from a funeral home, hospital, or county office — all requests go through this single state office, whether you order by mail, phone, or in person.
The office is located at 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. You can reach them by phone at 334-206-5418 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). They also accept orders by mail and through an online ordering system on their website.
The death must have occurred in Alabama for the state office to issue the certificate. If the death happened in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama death certificates come only from the Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, not from local county offices or funeral homes.
- You need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred to place an order.
- Certified copies cost $15 each and take 5 to 10 business days by mail or 1 to 2 business days if you order online.
- You can order in person at the Montgomery office, by mail with a check or money order, or online with a credit card.
- The death must have been registered in Alabama within one year of the date it occurred, or you may need to file a delayed registration.
What Information You Need Before You Order
Have the following details ready before you contact the office: the full name of the deceased, the date of death, the county where the death occurred, and the deceased's date of birth if you have it. If you do not know the exact date of death, the office can search by month and year, though this may take longer.
If the death happened more than one year ago and was never registered, you will need to file a delayed death registration with the county probate judge in the county where the death occurred. This is a separate process from ordering a certificate and requires additional documentation, such as a death affidavit or medical examiner's report.
Ordering by Mail
Send a written request to the Center for Health Statistics, 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Include the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, and your relationship to the deceased. State how many certified copies you need — most people order 5 to 10 copies because banks, insurance companies, and courts often require originals.
Enclose a check or money order for $15 per copy, made payable to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Include your name, address, and phone number so the office can contact you if there are questions. Mail delivery typically takes 5 to 10 business days after the office receives your request.
Keep a copy of your request and note the date you mailed it. If you do not receive the certificates within two weeks, call the office to confirm they received your letter.
Ordering Online or by Phone
The Alabama Department of Public Health website has an online ordering system where you can submit your request and pay with a credit card. Orders placed online are processed faster — usually 1 to 2 business days — than mail orders. You will receive a confirmation number and can track your order status on the website.
To order by phone, call 334-206-5418 during business hours. Have your credit card ready and provide the deceased's name, date of death, and county. The staff will confirm the number of copies you need and process the payment over the phone. They will tell you when to expect delivery.
Ordering in Person at the Montgomery Office
If you are in or near Montgomery, you can visit the Center for Health Statistics office at 201 Monroe Street during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Bring the deceased's full name, date of death, and county of death. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card.
Processing time in person is usually the same as online orders — 1 to 2 business days. The office will give you a receipt and tell you when to pick up the certificates or have them mailed to your address.
Cost and How Many Copies to Order
Each certified copy of a death certificate costs $15. There is no discount for ordering multiple copies at once. Most people order between 5 and 10 copies because they are needed for different purposes: one for the will or probate court, one for life insurance claims, one for Social Security, one for the bank, and extras for other creditors or institutions.
You cannot order too many — extra copies are useful if you need to file claims months or years later. Once you have the certificate, you can make photocopies for your own records, but most institutions require an official certified copy with the state seal and the registrar's signature.
What Happens If the Death Was Never Registered
If the death occurred in Alabama more than one year ago and was never registered with the state, you cannot order a certificate directly. Instead, you must file a delayed death registration with the probate judge in the county where the death occurred.
Delayed registration requires supporting documents such as a death affidavit (a sworn statement from someone who knew the deceased), a medical examiner's report, a funeral home record, or a hospital discharge summary. The probate judge will review these documents and decide whether to allow the registration. Once approved, you can then order a death certificate from the state office.
Contact the probate judge's office in the county where the death occurred to learn what documents they need and what the filing fee is. This process can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Alabama?
Mail orders take 5 to 10 business days after the office receives your request. Online orders take 1 to 2 business days. In-person orders at the Montgomery office also take 1 to 2 business days. These times do not include mail delivery to your address.
Can I order a death certificate for someone who is not a relative?
Yes. Alabama does not restrict who can order a death certificate — you do not need to prove a relationship. However, you do need to know the deceased's full name, date of death, and county of death to place the order.
What if I do not know the exact date of death?
You can search by month and year instead of an exact date. Tell the office the month and year the death occurred, and they will search their records. This may take longer and could return multiple results if more than one person with that name died in that month.
Do I need a certified copy or can I use a photocopy?
Most institutions — banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies — require an official certified copy with the state seal and registrar's signature. Photocopies are not accepted for legal or financial matters, though you can make copies for your own records once you have the original.
What if the death certificate has an error on it?
Contact the Center for Health Statistics to report the error. You may need to file an amendment request with supporting documentation, such as a corrected medical examiner's report or a court order. The office will guide you through the process and the fees involved.