Bullock County Birth Records
Birth records for Bullock County are available through the county health department located in Union Springs. The office is part of the East Central Public Health District and connects to Alabama's statewide vital records database. Bullock County is a rural area in southeastern Alabama with Union Springs serving as the county seat. The health department can access birth certificates for anyone born in Alabama, not just Bullock County residents. Most requests made in person are completed the same day. Staff handle vital records along with other public health services for the local community.
Bullock County Quick Facts
Bullock County Health Department
The Bullock County Health Department operates under the Alabama Department of Public Health's East Central District. This office provides vital records services along with immunizations, disease prevention, and environmental health programs. The facility sits on Hicks Industrial Boulevard in Union Springs.
| Address | 674 Hicks Industrial Boulevard, Union Springs, AL 36089 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 738-3030 |
| Fax | (334) 738-3008 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/bullock |
Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours. The office may close for lunch and state holidays, so calling ahead for specific timing is a good idea. Parking is available on-site at the health department building.
How to Request Birth Certificates
In Person Requests
Visiting the Bullock County Health Department in person is the quickest way to get a birth certificate. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license or state ID card. You will complete an application form at the office. Staff will search the statewide database, and if the record is found, they print the certificate while you wait. The whole process usually takes less than half an hour.
If requesting a certificate for someone other than yourself, you must demonstrate eligibility. Parents can get certificates for their children. Adult children can request their parents' records. Spouses, siblings, and grandparents are also eligible under Alabama law. Bring proof of your relationship such as your own birth certificate or a marriage license. Legal representatives need court orders or power of attorney documents.
Mail Requests
Birth certificate requests by mail go to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, not to the Bullock County office. Download Form HS-14 from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Complete all fields, attach a photocopy of your ID showing both front and back, and include payment by check or money order payable to "Center for Health Statistics." Mail the package to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Allow 7 to 10 business days for processing once they receive your materials.
Online Orders
The state contracts with VitalChek for online birth certificate orders. This option costs more due to service fees but offers credit card payment and expedited shipping. Visit the Alabama vital records website and follow the link for online ordering. You create an account, enter the request information, and pay electronically. The certificate ships after the order is processed by the state office in Montgomery.
Fees and Payment
Bullock County Health Department charges the standard Alabama vital records fees. These rates are set by the state health department and apply at all county locations.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search (includes first certified copy) | $15.00 |
| Additional copies (same order) | $6.00 each |
| Expedited processing (mail) | $15.00 extra |
The Bullock County office accepts cash, personal checks, and money orders. Checks should be made payable to "Bullock County Health Department." Call ahead to confirm whether credit or debit cards are currently accepted. VitalChek online orders add their own processing and shipping fees on top of the state certificate fee.
Legal Requirements for Birth Certificates
Alabama restricts access to birth certificates for 125 years from the date of birth. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-22, certified copies serve as legal evidence of the birth facts and can only be issued to qualified applicants. The Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 lists who is eligible to receive copies.
Eligible Applicants
The person named on the birth certificate can request their own copy if they are at least 14 years old. Parents listed on the certificate can request copies for their children regardless of age. Other eligible parties include the registrant's spouse, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians. Attorneys and other legal representatives can obtain certificates with written authorization from an eligible party. Government agencies may access records for official purposes with proper documentation.
Identification Requirements
You must show a current, valid photo ID to request a birth certificate. Acceptable forms include a state driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. Expired identification is not accepted. If you are requesting a certificate for someone else, you also need documents proving your relationship or legal authority to make the request.
Birth Registration in Alabama
Alabama required statewide birth registration starting January 1, 1908. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-7, hospitals and attending physicians must file birth certificates with the state within five days of a live birth. The certificate documents the child's name, birth date, birthplace, and parent information.
Records from before 1908 are spotty. Some churches kept baptismal records that note birth dates. Family bibles sometimes recorded vital events. County courthouses may have some early records that were filed voluntarily. The Alabama Department of Archives and History holds some pre-1908 records. For genealogical research, federal census records from 1850 onward often list ages and birthplaces.
Delayed Birth Registration
If a birth was never registered, or if the original certificate was lost before being recorded, Alabama allows delayed registration. Alabama Code § 22-9A-9 establishes different procedures based on how long ago the birth occurred.
Births registered within one year use the standard certificate form. Those filed between one and five years after the event are marked as "Delayed Registration" and require documentation. For births more than five years old, you need documentary evidence from independent sources like hospital records, school records, or census entries. You also need a sworn affidavit from someone with personal knowledge of the birth who is at least ten years older than you. The fee for delayed registration is $20.00. Contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2637 for complete instructions.
Corrections and Amendments
Errors on birth certificates can be fixed through the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. County health departments do not process amendments, though they can give you information about the process. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-19, minor corrections made within the first year after filing do not result in the certificate being marked as amended.
Typical amendments include adding a father's name after paternity is established, correcting misspellings, and changing the child's name after legitimation. Each amendment requires supporting documentation. Certificates changed more than one year after original filing will show "AMENDED" along with the date and a brief description of what was corrected. The fee is $20.00 for most amendment requests.
Adoption Records
When a child is adopted in Alabama, the court issues a final decree and a new birth certificate is created showing the adoptive parents. The original certificate goes into a sealed file. Alabama allows adult adoptees to access their original records. Adoptees 19 years or older can request a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate for $25.00. The request requires an original signature and cannot be done online. Birth parents may file a Contact Preference Form to indicate whether they want contact.
Nearby Counties
Any county health department in Alabama can issue birth certificates from the statewide database. If the Bullock County office is inconvenient, consider one of these neighboring locations.