Vital records in Alabama — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records — can be obtained from Judge of Probate (marriage) / ADPH (birth, death). Marriage licenses are issued by the Judge of Probate.
What this page covers: Alabama vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Judge of Probate (marriage) / ADPH (birth, death). For marriage licenses, contact the Judge of Probate in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
12 official Alabama vital records sources.
Vital Records
Alabama Counties
67 Alabama counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Alabama?▼
Alabama's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Alabama court cases?▼
Alabama's court system is headed by the Alabama Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Circuit Courts (41 circuits) and District Courts (67). Many Alabama courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Alabama business entities?▼
The Alabama Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Alabama?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Alabama birth or death certificate?▼
Alabama vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (Center for Health Statistics) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Alabama property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Alabama sex offender?▼
The Alabama sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.