Tina's Alabama Information Page

Alabama State Vital Records Office

Division of Vital Statistics
Alabama Department of Health
State Office Building
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-5033
State office has had birth and death records since January 1908. Fee for special searches is $10.00 per hour.
State office has had divorce records since January 1950. If the records are not available at the State office, they should be available from the Clerk or Register of Court of Equity in the county where divorce was granted. Fees may vary.
State office has had marriage records since August 1936. If the records are not available at the State office, they should be available from the Probate Judge in the county where the license was issued. Fees may vary.

Alabama Adoption Statutes

Citation: Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 26-10A-1 to 26-10A-38
Web Site: http://www.legislature.state.al.us
Contact: House Bill Room
(334) 242-7637

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information: Non-identifying information is available to birth parents, adopted adults age 19 or older, and adoptive parents.

Obtaining Identifying Information: If either birth parent has given consent under oath to disclose identifying information, then an adopted adult age 19 or older can receive identifying information along with a copy of the original birth certificate relating to the consenting birth parent. If no consent is on file, an adopted adult age 19 or older may petition the court to release identifying information. The court will then hire a confidential intermediary to contact the birth parents for consent. If the birth parents are deceased, cannot be found, or do not consent, the court will decide whether to release identifying information. The court may decide to grant consent to the petition to release identifying information but include a provision to restrict or prohibit contact between the parties.

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adult age 19 or older who was adopted in Alabama and has a sealed original birth certificate on file at the Center for Health Statistics may obtain a non-certified copy of that certificate as well as the other documents maintained with the original record.

Contact: The State Department of Human Resources or the licensed child placing agency.

This material may be reproduced and distributed without permission; however, appropriate citation must be given to the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Information Sheet for Adoptees Born in Alabama

Print the Application Form for Adoptees

OBTAINING PRE-ADOPTION AND OTHER BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM ALABAMA SEALED FILES

BACKGROUND: Alabama law directs the State Registrar to establish a new birth certificate after an adoption, legitimation or paternity determination takes place. The new birth certificate is substituted for the original birth certificate in the files, and the original birth certificate and evidence of adoption, legitimation or paternity determination are placed in a sealed file.(Section 22-9A-12) In 2000, the legislature amended the vital records law to allow a person whose original birth certificate was placed in a Sealed file.to obtain a non-certified copy of that record and any other documents in the sealed file.

WHO MAY REQUEST A COPY?

  • The person named on the birth certificate -- no other family member.
  • Person must be 19 years of age or older.
  • Person must have been born in Alabama.
  • Person must have had an original birth certificate removed from the files due to an adoption, legitimation or paternity determination.

WHAT WILL THE APPLICANT RECEIVE?

  • The applicant will receive a copy of the original birth certificate clearly marked that it is not a certified copy and it may not be used for legal purposes. Note that the information on the birth certificate in the file is shown as it was provided by the birth parent(s) at the time of birth. The information may or may not be accurate.
  • The applicant will receive copies of all other documents in the Sealed file.which often include the legal documents from the court where the adoption or paternity determination took place or other legal documents for a legitimation. These files do not contain medical or other information about the birth parents.
  • In the case of persons who were adopted, the revision of the law in 2000 allows birth parents to submit a Contact Preference Form which will be placed in the sealed file upon receipt. If a Contact Preference Form is in the file at the time the original birth record is requested, it will be sent to the applicant.

HOW SHOULD THESE RECORDS BE ORDERED?

  • Applicants must clearly state they are seeking their original birth record prior to adoption, legitimation or paternity determination. Without this information, we will send the current legal record.
  • Complete a Request for a Pre-Adoption or Other Birth Certificate from an Alabama Sealed File application or send the following information to locate your current legal record:
    • Your full name as it appears on your current legal birth certificate
    • Date of birth
    • County of birth
    • Full maiden name of mother as it appears on your current legal birth certificate
    • Full name of father as it appears on your current legal birth certificate
  • Include your mailing address and telephone number where we can reach you during the day.
  • Sign and date the request. The request will not be processed unless it is signed by the applicant.
  • Include the non-refundable fee of $ 20.00 for processing the request. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Alabama Vital Records.
  • Mail the request to:
    Center for Health Statistics
    P.O. Box 5625
    Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL (334) 206-5426.