How to Find Alabama Death Records: Difference between revisions

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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Death Records'''</span>  
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">'''Death Records'''</span> |2=1}}
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span><br>
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span><br>|2=1}}


:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Death Records#Deaths_before_1908|Before 1908]]'''</span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Death Records#Deaths_before_1908|Before 1908]]'''</span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Death Records#Deaths_from_1908_to_the_present|1908 to the present]]''' </span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Alabama Death Records#Deaths_from_1908_to_the_present|1908 to the present]]''' </span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>|2=1}}


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:[[Alabama Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]  
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]] }}
:[[Alabama Newspapers|Newspapers]]  
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Newspapers|Newspapers]] }}
:[[Alabama Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]]  
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]] }}
:[[Alabama Taxation|Tax Records]]
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Taxation|Tax Records]]}}


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:[[Alabama Church Records|Church Records]]  
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Church Records|Church Records]] }}
:[[Alabama Census|Census]]  
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Census|Census]] }}
:[[Alabama Bible Records|Bible Records]]
{{Block indent|[[Alabama Bible Records|Bible Records]]}}


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<br> '''''Restrictions for requesting Alabama death certificates:'''''<br> 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:  
<br> '''''Restrictions for requesting Alabama death certificates:'''''<br> 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  
{{Block indent|*Mother or father of person named on certificate }}
:*Husband or wife of person named on certificate  
{{Block indent|*Husband or wife of person named on certificate }}
:*Son or daughter of person named on certificate  
{{Block indent|*Son or daughter of person named on certificate }}
:*Sister or brother of person named on certificate  
{{Block indent|*Sister or brother of person named on certificate }}
:*Grandchild of person named on certificate when demonstrating entitlement  
{{Block indent|*Grandchild of person named on certificate when demonstrating entitlement }}
:*Legal representative of family or estate  
{{Block indent|*Legal representative of family or estate }}
:*Informant listed on death certificate as providing information
{{Block indent|*Informant listed on death certificate as providing information}}


If you do not want to order the death record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]].  
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]].  
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== Related Wiki Articles  ==
== Related Wiki Articles  ==


:*[[How to Find United States Death Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Death_Records|Learn more about U.S. death records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Death Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Death_Records|Learn more about U.S. death records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find U.S. death Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find U.S. death Records]] }}
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]] }}
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
{{Block indent|*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] }}
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] }}
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]] }}
:*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records ]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records ]] }}
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
{{Block indent|*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]}}


[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]
[[Category:Alabama_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Latest revision as of 16:28, 19 August 2025


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.

When did the death occur? [edit | edit source]

Death Records
Choose a time period:

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1908[edit | edit source]

County registration of death 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.

Alabama Deaths Databases

Try 1st:


1881-1952 - At FamilySearch.org Name index to death and burial records from the state of Alabama. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
Try 2nd:


1881-1974 - At Ancestry.com ($) Free at FamilySearch centers. Find your local FamilySearch Center
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information
Records that give death information:
Return to top: Choose another death year


Deaths from 1908 to the present[edit | edit source]

Deaths after 1908 are now filed with Alabama Department of Public Health.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]

Alabama Deaths Databases - Index Only

Try 1st:


1908-1974 - At FamilySearch.org Name index to death and burial records from the state of Alabama.
Try 2nd:


1908-1959 - At Ancestry.com ($) free at FamilySearch centers. Find your local FamilySearch Center
Try 3rd:


1881-1952 - At FamilySearch.org Name index to death and burial records from the state of Alabama.


Social Security Death Index


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]

PART A: You know the exact date of death

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death From Alabama Dept. of Health State office
Pros Cons Pros Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county

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


Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]