Get your certified Alabama Birth Certificate
Order your government-issued Alabama birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Alabama Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order your government-issued Alabama birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Alabama Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to order Alabama birth certificates from the ADPH-CHS. The current processing time is 7 to 10 days. The state fee for certified replacements is $15.00, with additional copies available for $6.00 each. Authorized individuals who can order certified copies include the certificate holder, immediate family members, and authorized third parties.
You can order your Alabama birth certificate online now through VRO, in person, or by mail from the Alabama Department of Public Health's Center for Health Statistics (ADPH-CHS). Before ordering, review and confirm the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.
Requesting an Alabama birth certificate online through VRO only requires two simple steps:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
All applicants must provide proof of identity to the ADPH-CHS when requesting certified copies of birth records. Accepted primary IDs include government-issued IDs such as a Driver's License, Passport, or Alabama Voter ID. Review the table below for the required information and documents to order a birth certificate in Alabama.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
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Alabama Voter ID Alien Resident Card Boating License Citizenship ID Card Concealed Weapons License Driver’s License Ex-Felon ID Inmate ID issued by the US Dept of Justice with supporting documents from the institution if the inmate is still in custody or a letter of release from the institution if the inmate has been released Passport Pilot’s License School ID (must include current term) State ID Tribal ID US Certificate of Naturalization US Employment Authorization Card US Military ID Work ID (if applicant is an employee of the agency/company making the request) | Autism Spectrum Card Copy of Police Report for Stolen ID Copy of Police Report or other official documents which support theft in cases where individual’s ID has been stolen Expired Government-Issued ID Fishing License Hunting License Immunization (Shot) Record Military Discharge (DD 214) Property Tax Bill Recent DMV Receipt for fines paid Social Security Correspondence (not card) US Selective Service Card Utility Bill (No more than 6 months old) Vehicle Registration Vehicle Title Voter Registration Card Work ID (If applicant is making personal request) |
Two forms of secondary identification may be accepted if you cannot provide a valid primary ID. Review the table above for accepted secondary IDs.
Cost & fees
The total costs for obtaining an Alabama birth certificate vary depending on the fees defined by the ADPH-CHS and the preferred application method. The ADPH-CHS charges a $15.00 fee for certified copies of birth certificates and $6.00 for each additional copy when requested during the same order. Expedited orders are available for an extra $15.00 fee by the ADPH-CHS, but the turnaround time may depend on the volume of backlogged orders.
State Fee |
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$15.00 |
Rush Processing |
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$15.00 |
Additional Copy |
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1 x $6.00 |
Processing time
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.
Processing Time |
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2-3 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
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Not specified |
Authorization
According to the Alabama Public Records Act (APRA), birth certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 125 years from birth. The person on record can order a certified copy of their birth records, provided they supply proof of identity when requesting. To ensure eligibility when requesting a birth certificate on behalf of the person on record, please review the list of authorized individuals below.
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.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while it is being handled. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to ADPH-CHS for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.
If you are mailing your application manually, it is recommended that you send it using first-class mail with tracking information to ensure it arrives at ADPH-CHS.
Once the records leave the ADPH-CHS, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
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.
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
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.
If you lose your 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.
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: