Get your certified Alabama Birth Certificate

How to Get a Birth Certificate Without ID

Two forms of secondary identification may be accepted if you cannot provide a valid primary ID. Review the table above for accepted secondary IDs.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Alabama?

The processing time for replacement birth certificates typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. The total time to receive a replacement depends on how you submit the application and the current volume of orders at the ADPH-CHS. Expedited requests are available for $15.00; however, the ADPH-CHS does not explicitly define specific processing times.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The Alabama Department of Public Health does not require applicants to obtain a notarization when requesting certified copies of birth records, regardless of how they are ordered.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain an Alabama Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Alabama; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Alabama.

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base and your parents were U.S. citizens, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240). A consular report is different from a birth certificate. It serves as proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate and is recognized as valid proof of birth and citizenship. It can be used to obtain a passport or apply for social services.

  If you need additional copies, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order copies from the Department of State. Learn more about about CRBA.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Alabama Birth Certificate?

  

  An Alabama birth certificate offers details about a person's birth, including their legal name, place of birth, date of birth, and parents' names. These documents are universally recognized and accepted by government agencies and private businesses for various purposes, such as obtaining a driver's license or passport, enrolling in school, getting married, and participating in legal processes. Moreover, birth certificates can be invaluable for personal reasons like genealogy research.
  
  Birth certificates are often helpful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does an Alabama Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

  
  

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Alabama Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the ADPH-CHS.
     
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The ADPH-CHS does not accept walk-ins at their location.
     
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the ADPH-CHS at:
     
     Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
     PO Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
     
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
     
  2. ADPH-CHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend an Alabama Birth Certificate

  

  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.

  
  

  
  

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Alabama Birth Certificate

  

  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: