How to Find Alabama Death Records

United States Vital Records  How to Find United States Deaths  Alabama  Birth, Marriage, and Death Records  Alabama Deaths

Alabama became a state in 1819. County registration of birth records began in 1881, with a few earlier death records in probate court records. Statewide registration of deaths began 1 January 1908, with full compliance by 1925. Pre-1908 county records may be accessible through county clerks. Deaths after 1908 now filed with Alabama Department of Public Health.

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When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1908
 * 1908 to the present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1908
County registration of birth records began in 1881, with a few earlier death records in probate court records. Statewide registration of deaths began 1 January 1908, with full compliance by 1925. Pre-1908 county records may be accessible through county clerks.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

1881 - 1974 - Use your Ancestry subscription $ to obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1908 to the present
Deaths after 1908 are now filed with Alabama Department of Public Health.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
1908-1959 - Use your Ancestry subscription $ To obtain a subscription to Ancestry Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the Alabama Department of Health office will conduct a search.

Individual counties will also search their records for deaths that occurred in their municipality.

Restrictions for requesting Alabama death certificates: By Alabama law, death certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 25 years from the date of death. Death certificates more than 25 years old may be obtained by anyone upon payment of the proper fee. Death certificates less than 25 years old may be obtained by the following persons, upon payment of the proper fee:


 * 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 certificate
 * Grandchild of person named on certificate when demonstrating entitlement
 * Legal representative of family or estate
 * Informant listed on death certificate as providing information

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

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