Get Your Certified Alabama Birth Certificate

A certified birth certificate from ADPH-CHS contains distinctive security features that verify its authenticity. While the appearance varies based on the year of issue, each certificate includes essential details that confirm the person's identity and citizenship at birth.

An official (long-form) birth certificate serves legal purposes and is distinct from a short-form (Keepsake) copy. Following specific county guidelines, ADPH-CHS birth certificates feature unique colors and layouts. Each official certificate includes the state seal, individual's name, and registrar's signature on tamper-resistant paper.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

Information on an Alabama birth certificate entered in error when the birth certificate was originally prepared may be corrected through an amendment process as specified by law.

Before requesting a correction or amendment to an Alabama birth certificate, you should determine eligibility and identify the type of corrections needed.

Determine Eligibility: Only specific individuals can apply for amendments to birth records. This includes the person on record, provided they are at least 19 years of age or have been emancipated. In cases where the registrant is incapacitated, a legal guardian may apply. Parents may also apply for amendments involving minors, although exceptions exist for situations where parents are deceased. Additionally, a legal representative can apply on behalf of the registrant, provided they possess valid authorization.

Identify Correction Type: The type of correction required determines the amendment process. Minor errors, such as typographical mistakes or omitted information that occur within one year of birth can be corrected by the State Registrar without labeling the certificate as "Amended." However, significant corrections such as changes to the name, date of birth, or parentage necessitate the submission of documentary evidence, as outlined in the first step: Gather Required Documentation. These substantial corrections will indeed result in issuing an "Amended" certificate.

To request a correction or amendment to an Alabama birth certificate, complete the following steps:

Gather Supporting Documentation: Submit original or certified copies of supporting evidence. This may include legal documents, affidavits, or other evidence that justifies the amendment. In some cases, a court order may be required.

For name corrections, minor misspellings require one document such as a Social Security card or passport. Registrants over the age of 50 must provide two to three documents proving consistent use since childhood, such as school records or marriage certificates.

For date of birth corrections, two to three documents are required (for example, early school records or census data) if the change is 30 days or less within the same year.

Note that family documents, such as Bibles or genealogies, are not accepted.

Complete the Application: Download and complete the Application to Change an Alabama Birth Certificate (HS-33). Specify the exact changes requested and provide birth certificate details. Ensure all information is accurate and legible. If required, have the application notarized. This is often necessary for significant amendments or when legal documents are involved.

Submit Application and Supporting Documents with Fees: Include a copy of a valid photo ID issued by a governmental entity. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport. The base fee is $20.00, which includes one amended certificate copy. Additional copies are $6.00 each. Expedited processing is available for an additional $15.00. Payments should be made by check or money order to the Center for Health Statistics. Mail the application, payment, and supporting documents to the designated address.

Legitimations: Legitimations establish a child’s legal father, enable the father’s name to be added to the birth certificate, and may allow for a change to the child’s name.

The four legitimation options listed below are legal procedures that can only be used if specific requirements are met. To update a birth record through any of these processes, you must provide the necessary documentation with your application.

• The Probate Courts process Family Court Legitimations.
• The ADPH-CHS processes legitimations through marriage.
• Acknowledgments of paternity are processed by the County Department of Human Resources or the Center for Health Statistics.
• The Circuit Courts process paternity determinations.

Adoptions: After an adoption is finalized in court, details on the birth certificate, like the child’s name and the parents' names, can be updated. To make these changes, you must submit court documents and the application.

You can order an apostille directly through the Secretary of State or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. The Secretary of State issues Apostilles, often required when filing an Alabama birth certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

The Apostille may be affixed to documents bearing the official signature and seal of a currently commissioned Alabama notary public, probate judge, or the current Alabama State Registrar. All birth certificates requiring an Apostille must include the signature of the current Alabama State Registrar.

The type of authentication required (Apostille or Certification) for an Alabama birth certificate depends on whether the country where you are presenting the document is a signatory to the Hague Convention. If the country is a signatory, you must request an Apostille to validate your birth certificate for use there. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, you must obtain a Certification, which serves a similar purpose but is recognized in non-signatory countries.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Secretary of State, you will need to provide the following items:

Include a certified copy of your birth certificate, with an original signature and seal of the current Alabama State Registrar.

Complete the Authentication Submittal Form. Specify the country in which the birth certificate will be used. Determine if the country is part of the Hague Convention and check either Apostille or Certification. Select Apostille for countries that are members of the Hague Convention or Certification (Exemplified Copies) for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention. Indicate the number of copies that need an Apostille or Certification.

Include payment of $5.00 per document as a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State. Credit card payment is available if the appropriate information is filled out in the form.

For return shipping (optional), include a self-addressed envelope with prepaid postage (USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL) or a courier account number. If not provided, documents will be returned via standard USPS.

Submit the request to the Secretary of State Authentication Division by mail, telephone, or in person to the following address: In-person or by mail (standard or express courier).

If you need to obtain a certified copy of an Alabama birth certificate and an apostille, you can submit a simultaneous request to the ADPH-CHS via mail, telephone, or in person. In-person requests are not available at county health departments. The application form is the same, but the fee is slightly higher at $25.00.

Complete Form HS14 to request a replacement for the birth certificate from the ADPH-CHS.

Include a copy of an accepted primary ID (not expired less than 6 months ago) or two secondary IDs.

Determine if the country is part of the Hague Convention and check either Apostille or Certification. Select Apostille for countries that are members of the Hague Convention or Certification (Exemplified Copies) for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention.

Next to “Reason for Request,” you must write that you need an Apostille and specify the country to which you will submit the birth record.

Include payment for $25.00 for the Apostille/Exemplified copy and $15.00 for the certified copy of the birth certificate. Additional copies are $6.00 each. Payment can be made as a check or money order payable to the Center for Health Statistics (cash is not accepted). Expedited requests are available for an additional $15.00.

Submit the request to the ADPH-CHS at the following addresses.

Simultaneous requests by mail:

In Person Requests:

To apply for a certified copy of an Alabama birth certificate, you will need to provide several pieces of information. This includes the full name on the birth record, the date of birth, the place of birth (city and county), the mother's full maiden name, and the father's full name.

Applicants must also provide their own full name, relationship to the person on the record, a valid mailing address, and a daytime phone number. A valid government-issued photo ID is required to verify your identity and eligibility.

If you are not the person named on the certificate, you must demonstrate that you are an immediate family member or legal representative. Supporting documentation, such as a court order or power of attorney, may be required depending on the circumstances.

Start your Alabama birth certificate application — we guide you through the required information step by step.

If you submitted your Alabama birth certificate application through VitalRecordsOnline.com, you can check the status of your order by logging into your customer dashboard. VRO provides real-time updates on the progress of your application from submission through delivery.

For applications submitted directly to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), you can contact the Center for Health Statistics by phone at (334) 206-5418. Mail-in requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks to process, and the ADPH does not currently offer an online tracking system for direct submissions.

If you selected rush processing, your application may be processed faster, but delivery times depend on the shipping method chosen. Contact the ADPH or VRO support if your order has been pending longer than the expected processing window.

Track your order after you submit your application through our secure portal.

Yes, you can order an Alabama birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com or directly through the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Online ordering is the fastest method, with most requests processed within 5 to 7 business days. You will need to provide your personal information, the details of the person named on the certificate, and a valid government-issued photo ID. Payment is accepted by credit card for online orders.

Your Alabama birth certificate can be used for a REAL ID or U.S. passport application.

The fee for a certified copy of an Alabama birth certificate is $15.00 when ordered through the Alabama Department of Public Health. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $6.00 each. Expedited processing is available for an extra $15.00. If you order through VitalRecordsOnline.com, service and processing fees may apply in addition to the state fee.

Ready to order? Start your Alabama birth certificate application today.

No, Alabama birth records are not public records. Access to certified copies of birth certificates is restricted to the individual named on the record, immediate family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings), legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives. Applicants must provide valid identification and proof of eligibility when requesting a copy. This restriction helps protect personal information and prevent identity fraud.

Need a certified copy? Order your Alabama birth certificate online.

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Alabama birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Alabama birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

A long form birth certificate is typically required for a REAL ID or U.S. passport. Order your Alabama birth certificate to get the version you need.

Processing times for a Alabama birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Alabama vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Alabama birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

You may also need to order a Alabama death certificate through our secure online service.

If you were born in Birmingham or Jefferson County, your birth certificate is on file with the Alabama Center for Health Statistics (ADPH) in Montgomery. The Jefferson County Health Department may also process local requests.

The easiest option is to order your Birmingham birth certificate online through our secure application. Your request is processed and a certified copy is mailed directly to you.

A certified Alabama birth certificate is accepted for a REAL ID, U.S. passport, and other official purposes.

Alabama does not offer guaranteed same-day birth certificate processing. Walk-in requests at the ADPH Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery may be processed faster than mail orders, but wait times vary.

For the fastest option without traveling, you can order your Alabama birth certificate online with expedited processing. This is often quicker than visiting an office, especially if you live in Birmingham, Huntsville, or Mobile.

Once you receive your certified copy, it can be used for Alabama marriage certificate applications, death certificate requests, and other vital records needs.

If you were born in Montgomery or Montgomery County, you can request a birth certificate from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, located at 201 Monroe Street. Walk-in service is available during business hours.

You can also skip the trip and order your Montgomery birth certificate online. We handle the paperwork and your certified copy is delivered by mail.

Your Alabama birth certificate can be used for REAL ID, school enrollment, passport applications, and updating your Social Security record.