In Alabama, certified death certificates are issued by Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Alabama Department of Public Health. The state fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Alabama
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy | $6 |
$15 search fee includes one certified copy or a 'Certificate of Failure to Find'. Additional copies $6 each only when the same record is ordered at the same time. VitalChek adds its own fees.
Who can order a certified copy
Records under 25 years old are restricted to: parent named on the certificate, spouse, child, sibling, grandchild (with demonstrated entitlement), legal representative, and the informant listed on the certificate.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- County/local office
Certificates can be requested in person at any county health department.
How long it takes
"Most death certificates can be issued while you wait" at county health departments (ADPH death certificates page). No time stated for mail or online orders.
📨 Get Free Funeral Cost Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
The funeral home’s role
The office’s pages do not describe the funeral home’s role. Many families ask the funeral director to order the first copies when arrangements are made.
State office has death records since January 1908; records less than 25 years old are restricted to the listed relatives. Phone orders also accepted at 1-888-279-9888.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Alabama
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Alabama.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Alabama Department of Public Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Alabama)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.