Where to Request a Death Certificate in Alabama

In Alabama, you request a death certificate from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. This is the only official source for certified copies. You cannot get one from a funeral home, county clerk, or courthouse — those offices do not issue them, though funeral directors can tell you which documents you need.

The Center for Health Statistics is located in Montgomery. You can request a certificate by mail, in person, or online through their VitalChek portal. Each method has different processing times and costs, so choose based on how quickly you need the document and whether you want to handle it yourself or use a third-party service.

Key Takeaways

  • The Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics is the only office that issues death certificates, and you must request from them directly.
  • You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county where death occurred — have these details ready before you contact them.
  • Online requests through VitalChek typically arrive in 5 to 10 business days; mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks; in-person requests at the Montgomery office take the same day if you arrive before 3 p.m.
  • A certified copy costs between $15 and $25 depending on the method, and most places that need a death certificate require an official certified copy, not a photocopy.
  • If the death occurred before 1908 or in a county that did not report to the state, the Center for Health Statistics may not have the record, and you will need to contact the county probate court instead.

What Information You Need Before Requesting

Gather these details before you contact the Center for Health Statistics: the full legal name of the deceased, the date of death, the county where the death occurred, and the name of the funeral home if one was used. If you do not know the exact date, the month and year are usually enough to locate the record, though it may take longer.

You will also need to know your relationship to the deceased. Alabama allows when ready family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling) to request a certificate without additional paperwork. If you are not an when ready family member — for example, you are a grandchild, niece, or friend — you may need to provide a reason for your request, though Alabama's rules on this are less strict than some states.

Requesting Online Through VitalChek

The fastest way for most people is the online portal at vitalchek.com, which is the official third-party service Alabama uses. Go to the site, select Alabama, then "Death Certificate," and enter the deceased's information. You will pay a service fee (usually $15 to $25) plus a shipping fee if you want it mailed. Payment is by credit or debit card only.

Processing through VitalChek takes 5 to 10 business days from the time they receive your order, not including shipping time. If you choose expedited shipping, the certificate arrives faster, but the processing time at the state office does not change. This method works well if you need the certificate within a week or two and do not mind paying a service fee.

Requesting by Mail or In Person

To request by mail, write to the Center for Health Statistics with the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, your relationship to the deceased, and how many certified copies you need. Include a check or money order payable to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks. Send your request to:

Center for Health Statistics Alabama Department of Public Health RSA Building, Suite 1150 201 Monroe Street Montgomery, AL 36104

If you are in or near Montgomery, you can request in person at the same address. Walk-in requests are processed the same day if you arrive before 3 p.m. on a weekday. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to pay cash or card. This is the fastest option if you can reach the office in person.

Cost and Number of Copies to Order

A single certified copy costs $15 to $25 depending on whether you request online, by mail, or in person. Most organizations that need a death certificate — insurance companies, banks, Social Security, courts — require an official certified copy with the state seal. A photocopy or uncertified copy will not work for these purposes.

Order more than one copy if you anticipate needing them for multiple organizations. Life insurance claims, bank accounts, property transfers, and Social Security all typically require their own copy. Ordering five copies at once costs less per copy than ordering them one at a time later. Ask the funeral home or the person handling the estate how many copies they think you will need.

What to Do If the Record Does Not Exist

If the Center for Health Statistics cannot find a record, it may be because the death occurred before 1908 (when Alabama began statewide registration) or in a county that did not report deaths to the state at that time. Some rural counties had gaps in reporting through the 1920s and 1930s.

Contact the probate court in the county where the death occurred. The probate judge's office may have a death record on file, or they can direct you to where records are kept. You can also try the county health department or the funeral home that handled the burial — they sometimes have copies of old death records even if the state does not.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume a funeral home can issue a certified death certificate. Funeral homes receive a copy for their records and can help you understand what you need, but they cannot issue official state certificates. Always request directly from the Center for Health Statistics.

Do not order just one copy if you think you might need more. Reordering later costs as much as ordering extra copies now. Do not send cash through the mail — use a check or money order, or request online and pay by card. If you are requesting by mail, do not forget to include your relationship to the deceased and specify how many copies you need; incomplete requests get sent back, which adds weeks to the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a death certificate in Alabama?

In-person requests at the Montgomery office are processed the same day. Online requests through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days plus shipping time. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks. The exact timing depends on how busy the office is and whether the record is straightforward to locate.

Can I get a death certificate if the person died out of state?

No. You must request from the state where the death occurred. If someone who lived in Alabama died in another state, contact that state's vital records office. The Center for Health Statistics can only issue certificates for deaths that occurred in Alabama.

What if I need the certificate urgently for a funeral or insurance claim?

Request in person at the Montgomery office if you can reach it before 3 p.m. on a weekday — you will have the certificate the same day. If you cannot travel to Montgomery, use VitalChek online and pay for expedited shipping. Tell the funeral home or insurance company that you have submitted the request; many will proceed with paperwork while waiting for the official certificate to arrive.

Do I need to show ID or prove my relationship to the deceased?

If you are requesting in person, bring a photo ID. If you are requesting by mail or online, you do not need to send ID, but you should state your relationship to the deceased. Alabama does not require extensive proof of relationship for when ready family members.

Can someone else request the certificate on my behalf?

Yes. The person requesting does not have to be related to the deceased. They can request online, by mail, or in person using the deceased's information. If requesting in person, they will need to bring a photo ID, but they do not need a power of attorney or written authorization from you.