Search Butler County Birth Records
Birth records for Butler County residents can be obtained at the county health department in Greenville. The office belongs to the Southeastern Public Health District and has access to Alabama's centralized vital records system. Butler County sits in south-central Alabama with Greenville as its county seat and largest town. Health department staff process birth certificate requests alongside other public health services. Walk-in visitors typically receive their certificates the same day. The office can pull records for any birth that occurred anywhere in Alabama, not just within Butler County.
Butler County Quick Facts
Butler County Health Department
The Butler County Health Department is part of the Alabama Department of Public Health's Southeastern District. Located on Airport Road in Greenville, this facility handles vital records requests along with vaccinations, health screenings, and environmental services. The office serves residents throughout Butler County.
| Address | 350 Airport Road, Greenville, AL 36037 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 382-3154 |
| Fax | (334) 382-3530 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/butler |
The office is closed for lunch and on state holidays. Calling ahead to confirm hours before your visit is recommended. There is parking available on-site at the health department facility.
How to Get Birth Certificates
Walk-In Requests
Going to the Butler County Health Department in person is the fastest method. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state identification card. Fill out the application form provided at the front desk. Staff will search the database and print your certificate while you wait. Processing typically takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
When requesting a certificate for another person, you must prove you are authorized. Parents can request their children's birth certificates. Adult children can get copies for their parents. Spouses, siblings, and grandparents are also allowed under state rules. Bring documentation showing your relationship, like your own birth certificate or marriage license. Legal representatives need court orders or powers of attorney.
Mail-In Requests
To order by mail, send your request to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. You cannot mail requests directly to the Butler County office. Download Form HS-14 from the ADPH website. Fill it out completely and include a photocopy of your ID (both sides). Make payment by check or money order to "Center for Health Statistics." Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days once received.
Online Ordering
Alabama uses VitalChek for online birth certificate orders. This service charges additional fees for processing and shipping. You can pay by credit or debit card and choose delivery speed. Go to the ADPH vital records page and click the online ordering option. Create an account, enter the required information, and submit your payment. The state office in Montgomery processes the order and ships the certificate to you.
Fees and Payment Methods
Butler County Health Department uses the standard fee schedule set by the Alabama Department of Public Health. These fees are the same across all county health departments in the state.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Search fee (includes one certified copy) | $15.00 |
| Additional copies (same order) | $6.00 each |
| Expedited mail processing | $15.00 additional |
Payment at the Butler County office can be made by cash, check, or money order. Checks should be payable to "Butler County Health Department." Call to confirm if credit cards are accepted before your visit. Online orders through VitalChek have their own processing fees added on top of the base certificate fee.
Eligibility and Legal Requirements
Alabama law limits access to birth certificates for 125 years after the date of birth. Alabama Code § 22-9A-22 states that certified copies are legal evidence of the facts on the certificate. The Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 specifies who can request copies.
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate
The person named on the certificate can request their own copy if at least 14 years old or legally emancipated. Parents named on the certificate can request copies for their children at any age. Also eligible are the registrant's spouse, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians with court documentation. Attorneys and other legal representatives may request certificates with written authorization from an eligible person. Government agencies can access records for official purposes.
Acceptable Identification
A current, valid photo ID is required for all birth certificate requests. Accepted forms include state driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, passport cards, and military IDs. The ID must not be expired. When requesting for someone else, bring additional documents proving your relationship or legal authority.
Alabama Birth Registration History
Statewide birth registration began in Alabama on January 1, 1908. Alabama Code § 22-9A-7 requires hospitals and birth attendants to file a certificate with the state within five days of a live birth. The document includes the child's name, date of birth, place of birth, and information about the parents.
For births before 1908, records may be harder to find. Some churches kept baptismal records. Family bibles often noted births, marriages, and deaths. County courthouses might have voluntary registrations from earlier years. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some pre-1908 records. Census records from 1850 forward list ages and birthplaces that can help with genealogical research.
Delayed Registration
If a birth was never officially registered, or if the record was lost, you can apply for delayed registration. Alabama Code § 22-9A-9 sets different requirements based on how much time has passed since the birth.
Registrations within one year of birth use the regular form without special notation. Those filed between one and five years are marked "Delayed Registration." For births more than five years ago, you need documentary evidence from independent sources such as hospital records, baptismal certificates, census records, or school records. An affidavit from someone with firsthand knowledge of your birth who is at least ten years older than you is also required. The delayed registration fee is $20.00. Contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2637 for guidance.
Amendments and Corrections
Mistakes on birth certificates are corrected through the Center for Health Statistics, not at the county level. Butler County Health Department can provide information and forms but cannot process amendments directly. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-19, minor corrections within one year of filing do not mark the certificate as amended.
Common corrections include adding a father's name, fixing spelling errors, and name changes after legitimation or paternity determination. Each change needs supporting documentation. Amendments made more than one year after the original filing cause the certificate to show "AMENDED" with the date and nature of the correction. Most amendments cost $20.00.
Adoption Records Access
When adoption is finalized in Alabama, a new birth certificate is created with the adoptive parents' names. The original certificate is sealed. Alabama is an unrestricted access state, meaning adult adoptees can request their original birth records. Anyone 19 or older who was adopted can obtain a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate for $25.00. The request must be submitted with an original signature; online requests are not accepted for sealed file copies. Birth parents can file a Contact Preference Form stating their wishes about contact.
Nearby Counties
All Alabama county health departments can issue birth certificates from the statewide database. If Butler County is not convenient for you, try one of these nearby locations.