Access Montgomery Birth Records
Birth records for Montgomery residents are at the Montgomery County Health Department on Mobile Highway. Montgomery is the state capital with nearly 196,000 people. This can confuse folks looking for birth certificates. The state office that keeps all vital records, the Center for Health Statistics, is also in Montgomery. But the state office does not take walk-ins for regular copies. Go to the county health department instead for in-person requests. The county office can pull records for any birth in Alabama. Same-day service is usually there during business hours.
Montgomery Quick Facts
Where Montgomery Residents Get Birth Certificates
The Montgomery County Health Department is where local folks go for birth certificates. Unlike Jefferson and Mobile counties, Montgomery is not an independent health department. It is part of the state system. The office taps into the statewide database and can print copies for any Alabama birth.
| Office | Montgomery County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3060 Mobile Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| Phone | (334) 293-6400 |
| Fax | (334) 293-6410 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
The health department is on Mobile Highway in west Montgomery. Parking is on site. Walk-in service is open during business hours. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or how long the wait might be.
Center for Health Statistics (State Office)
The Center for Health Statistics is the state office that keeps all Alabama vital records. It sits in the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery. But this office no longer takes walk-ins for regular birth certificates. Walk-in service there is only for special cases like adoptees getting sealed records.
| Office | Center for Health Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 246, Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625 |
| Phone | (334) 206-5418 |
| Amendments | (334) 206-2637 |
For mail requests, send your application to the Center for Health Statistics at the P.O. Box address. People all over Alabama use this same address for mail requests.
Montgomery County Courthouse
The courthouse deals with legal matters that affect birth records. They do not give out birth certificates. Adoptions, name changes, and paternity cases go through the court.
| Courthouse | Montgomery County Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 251 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 |
Fees and Costs
Montgomery County uses the same fees as the rest of Alabama. The State Board of Health sets the rates. All counties charge the same.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search (includes one certified copy) | $15.00 |
| Additional copies (same order) | $6.00 each |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 additional |
| Delayed registration | $20.00 |
| Amendment or correction | $20.00 |
You can pay with cash, checks, or money orders. Call ahead to see if they take cards right now. Make checks out to "Montgomery County Health Department."
How to Request a Birth Certificate
Montgomery has a few ways to get birth certificates. Going in person is fastest. Mail and online work too if you cannot make the trip.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Montgomery County Health Department on Mobile Highway. Bring your photo ID. Fill out the form at the counter. Staff will search the database and print your certificate. Same-day service is normal for walk-ins. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy they are.
Mail Requests
Get the form from the ADPH website. Fill it all out. Add a copy of your ID, both sides. Send it with payment to the Montgomery County Health Department or the state office. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to process.
Online Requests
VitalChek is the online vendor. It costs more because of service and shipping fees. The state office handles the order and mails it to you. This works well if you cannot go in person or send mail.
Legal Requirements and Eligibility
Alabama restricts access to birth certificates for 125 years from the date of birth. Alabama Code § 22-9A-22 establishes who may obtain certified copies. The detailed rules are in Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22.
Eligible Requesters
- The registrant (must be at least 14 years old)
- Parents listed on the certificate
- Spouse of the registrant
- Children of the registrant
- Siblings of the registrant
- Grandparents of the registrant
- Legal guardians with court documentation
- Attorneys representing eligible parties
- Government agencies for official purposes
Not on this list? Get written approval from someone who is. It must be notarized. Include copies of both IDs.
Birth Registration Requirements
Alabama Code § 22-9A-7 requires births to be registered within five days. Hospitals file birth certificates on behalf of parents. For home births, the attending midwife or physician is responsible.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Montgomery is home to the Alabama Department of Archives and History. They have old records including birth registers from the mid-1880s through the 1930s. These go back before or overlap with the 1908 state rule. The Archives is a great spot for family tree research. It helps when official records are missing or incomplete.
| Location | Alabama Department of Archives and History |
|---|---|
| Address | 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130 |
| Phone | (334) 242-4435 |
The Archives keeps microfilm copies of county birth registers and other old documents. You can visit in person or ask for help by mail or email.
Delayed Birth Registration
If a birth was never registered, Montgomery residents can file for delayed registration. The requirements vary based on how long ago the birth occurred:
- Within 1 year: Standard form, not marked delayed
- 1 to 5 years: Marked "Delayed Registration"
- Over 5 years: Requires documentary evidence and affidavit
More than five years late? You need proof from at least two outside sources. Also get a sworn statement from someone at least ten years older than you. The Archives might have records that can help as proof.
Amendments and Corrections
Changes to birth certificates go through the state office, not the county. Since the state office is in Montgomery, you might think you can walk in. But the state office does not take walk-ins for regular changes.
Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-19, amendments made more than one year after filing result in the certificate being marked "AMENDED." The fee is $20. Call (334) 206-2637 for amendment instructions.
Adoptee Access
Alabama lets adult adoptees age 19 and up ask for non-certified copies of their original birth certificates. It costs $25. You must sign the request by hand. No online option. The sealed file may also have court papers from the adoption.
For adoptee requests, the state office does take appointments in person. These are handled differently from standard requests. Call (334) 206-2637 to set up a time.
State Capital Resources
As the state capital, Montgomery has things other cities do not. The Alabama State Law Library in the judicial building has legal resources. The Secretary of State's office can add apostilles and authenticate documents for use overseas.
Montgomery issued over 21,600 certified copies of vital records in 2024, reflecting the demand for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in the area.
Local Legal Aid
Need legal help with birth certificate issues? Contact Legal Services Alabama. They give free civil legal help to low-income people.
| Organization | Legal Services Alabama - Montgomery Office |
|---|---|
| Toll-Free | 1-866-456-4995 |
| Spanish | 1-888-835-3505 |
Nearby Cities
Montgomery sits in central Alabama. Other big cities with birth certificate services include: