Alabama Birth Records

Alabama birth records are the official documents that record the details of a person's birth. Alabama began the statewide registration of births on January 1, 1908. Before this, some counties maintained their birth registry, but the records were not standardized across the state. Alabama issues several types of birth records to cater to different needs.

The certified copies of a birth record are the official documents issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health and are used for legal purposes. Usually, only qualified persons may obtain certified copies of birth records. Certified copies of birth records, also called authorized copies of the birth record, bear the official seal and signature of the issuing authority, confirming its authenticity.

The informational copy of a birth record, known as the non-certified birth record, contains the same information as the certified copy. However, they are generally printed on plain paper and typically watermarked as informational copies. They are not valid for legal transactions but are best used for genealogical purposes such as researching family history.

Alabama offers both long-form and short-form birth records to qualified persons. The long-form birth certificate, called the "full-size" or "official" birth certificate, includes comprehensive information about a birth. The details include the full name of the registrant, date and time of birth, place of birth, full information of both parents, attending physician information, registration number, and filing date. The long-form birth certificate is ideal for all legal purposes.

The short-form birth record, also called an "abstract", is an abridged or condensed version of the birth certificate. It omits detailed information, such as the parents' full names and the attending physician's information. It is usually accepted for certain purposes, but not for all legal or official uses.

Alabama also offers Keepsake Birth Certificates, which are decorative documents intended for display purposes only. They are not valid for legal identification.

How To Order Alabama Birth Certificates?

Persons interested in ordering certified copies of Alabama birth records may obtain the document from the Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics. You may request the birth record online, by mail, or in person.

Online requests for certified birth records are made through an approved third-party vendor. For in-person requests for birth records, you may visit any Alabama county health department to order the document. Persons ordering the birth certificate by mail may send the documents to:

Irrespective of your preferred method of requesting the birth certificate, all requests may include the Vital Record Application form, and fill out the birth section of the form. Also, include a valid copy of a government-issued photo ID and the fees. It costs $15 to order a certified copy of an Alabama birth certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time attract a fee of $6.

Are Birth Records Public in Alabama?

No. Birth records are not public records in Alabama. Birth records are considered confidential records in Alabama and are not open to the general public. Access to birth records in Alabama is restricted to certain people, usually persons with a direct and tangible interest in the birth record. The state's stance on making birth records confidential is to protect individuals' privacy and prevent unauthorized use of personal information.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Alabama?

Birth certificates are private records in Alabama. This means not just anyone may request a copy of your birth certificate. Per state law, only eligible persons may order certified birth certificates, including:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents are named on the birth record
• Immediate family members, including current spouses, adult children, and adult siblings
• Legal guardian
• Legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get an Alabama Birth Certificate?

If you mail your request to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, you can expect processing to take approximately 7 to 10 business days from the time your application is received. You can receive your birth certificate on the same day if you request the record in person at any Alabama county health department, provided you arrive before 4:00 p.m.

If you are seeking faster processing, opt for expedited processing of your birth certificate. You can request expedited processing by including an additional $15 fee when you mail your record request to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.

Where Can I Find Alabama Birth Records Free?

Certified birth certificates in Alabama are restricted to authorized persons who pay a fee to access the document. However, there are several resources where unauthorized individuals may access informational copies of historical birth records for free.

Ancestry.com is a subscription-based service with an extensive database, including databases of Alabama birth records. FamilySearch.org offers a vast collection of genealogical records, including Alabama birth records. They provide access to an index-only collection of Alabama births and christenings from 1881 to 1930. They also offer a comprehensive guide to accessing Alabama birth records.

The National Vital Records Archives (NARA) offers resources for genealogical research, including guidance on accessing vital records. Although NARA does not hold Alabama birth certificates, it provides information on tools and databases to aid in family history research and a directory to help you locate state and local vital records offices.

Websites like PublicRecirds.us aggregate public records from various sources and offer access to both current and historical birth records. They typically provide access to basic information on birth records for free. However, a minimal fee may apply to access the detailed birth record.

When Would I Need My Alabama Birth Records?

A birth certificate is Alabama's primary proof of identity, citizenship, and age. Therefore, there are various scenarios where tendering your Alabama birth record becomes crucial. They include:

• Passport applications
• Applying for a Social Security number
• Applying for a driver's license and a state ID
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, or universities
• Employment verification
• Adoption proceedings
• Accessing government benefits and public assistance
• Changing your name

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Alabama?

If your Alabama birth certificate is damaged, destroyed, stolen, or lost, you will need a replacement birth certificate. The process to replace your birth record is similar to ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate.

You may order your replacement birth record by completing the birth section of the Vital Records Application form. Include a valid government-issued ID and the fees with the record request. The cost of replacing your birth certificate is $15. You may submit the form at any Alabama county health department for same-day issuance or mail the application to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.

When Can the Public Access Alabama Birth Certificates?

Birth certificates are confidential for 125 years after the date of birth. During that period, only certain authorized persons may obtain certified copies of the birth certificate. Once the 125 years have elapsed, birth records become public records, and anyone may request and receive copies.

How To Correct an Error on an Alabama Birth Certificate?

You may correct any error you notice on your birth certificate in Alabama. Generally, you may correct factual errors, such as typographical errors in the name or date of birth, add or change parental details, gender markers, or name amendments. While most clerical errors may be corrected through a simple amendment process, corrections that could alter the facts of the document, such as name amendments or correcting your gender marker, require a court order.

To correct your birth certificate, fill out the birth section of the Application to Change an Alabama Birth or Death Certificate form, indicating each correction or change. Provide supporting documents, such as hospital records, a physician's affidavit, or a court order, that show the correct information. Notarize the application form and submit it to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. It costs $20 to amend your birth certificate. The fee includes one certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

Does Alabama Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Alabama does not offer the gender-neutral or non-binary gender marker "X" on birth certificates. Although the state permits amending your birth record from "Male" to "Female" and vice versa, it has no provision for a third gender marker or to change your current gender marker to the non-binary marker "X".