Find Birth Records in Dale County
Dale County birth records are available through the Dale County Health Department located in Ozark. The health department operates as part of the Southeastern Public Health District and provides access to Alabama's statewide vital records database. Residents can obtain certified birth certificates for any birth registered in the state of Alabama, not just those that occurred within Dale County. The office processes requests on a walk-in basis during regular business hours, with most requests completed within 30 minutes. Staff can search records dating back to 1908 when Alabama began requiring birth registration.
Dale County Quick Facts
Dale County Health Department
The Dale County Health Department serves as the local access point for vital records including birth certificates. This office is part of the Alabama Department of Public Health network and connects to the statewide computer system that contains all registered births in Alabama from 1908 to present. The staff here can process requests for birth certificates regardless of where in Alabama the birth took place.
| Address | 532 W. Roy Parker Road, Ozark, AL 36360 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 774-5146 |
| Fax | (334) 774-2333 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/dale |
How to Request a Birth Certificate
The most efficient way to get a birth certificate in Dale County is to visit the health department in person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. You will need to complete a short application form at the counter. Staff will search the database while you wait, and most requests take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. If you are requesting a certificate for someone else, you must demonstrate your legal eligibility to receive it.
In-Person Requests
Walk in during business hours and go to the vital records counter. Fill out the application form with the full name on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth if known, and parents' names. Present your photo ID to the clerk. Pay the fee and wait for your certificate to be printed. Same-day service is standard for in-person requests.
Mail Requests
If you cannot visit in person, you can submit a request by mail. Download and complete the application form from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Include a clear photocopy of your valid photo ID showing both front and back. Make your check or money order payable to "Dale County Health Department" for the correct amount. Mail everything to the address above. Processing time for mail requests is typically 7 to 10 business days after the health department receives your materials.
Online Requests
Online ordering is available through VitalChek, an authorized third-party service. This option costs more because VitalChek charges service fees on top of the standard state fees. However, it offers convenience if you cannot visit in person or mail a request. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards. Processing times vary, but expedited shipping options are available for an additional charge.
Fees and Costs
Dale County Health Department charges the standard statewide fees established by the Alabama Department of Public Health. These fees are the same at all county health departments across Alabama. Payment must be made at the time of request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search and first certified copy | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $6.00 |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 additional |
| Delayed registration | $20.00 |
| Amendment | $20.00 |
The health department accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit and debit cards may be accepted at some locations, but it is best to call ahead to confirm. Checks should be made payable to "Dale County Health Department." There are no refunds if the requested record is not found.
Eligibility Requirements
Alabama law restricts access to birth certificates that are less than 125 years old. Only certain individuals may obtain certified copies. The person named on the certificate can request their own record if they are at least 14 years old or are an emancipated minor. Parents listed on the certificate may obtain copies for their children. Spouses, children over 14, siblings over 14, and grandparents of the registrant are also eligible.
Legal representatives such as attorneys, guardians, and persons with power of attorney may request certificates on behalf of eligible persons. Government agencies with statutory authority can obtain records for official purposes. Anyone with a court order may also obtain copies. If you are not on the list of eligible persons, you will need to get written authorization from someone who is or obtain a court order.
Legal Framework and Statutes
Birth registration in Alabama is governed by state statutes found in Chapter 9A of Title 22 of the Alabama Code. These laws establish the requirements for registration, the procedures for issuing certified copies, and the penalties for fraud.
Alabama Code Section 22-9A-7 requires that birth certificates be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics within five days of a live birth. For institutional births, the person in charge of the hospital or birthing facility is responsible for preparing and filing the certificate. For home births, the attending midwife or physician must file the certificate, or the parents themselves must do so if no attendant was present.
Alabama Code Section 22-9A-22 governs the issuance of certified copies. This statute establishes that certified copies are prima facie evidence of the facts stated on them and specifies who may obtain copies. It also authorizes the State Registrar to set fees and promulgate rules regarding the issuance process.
Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 contains the detailed regulations about who may obtain certified copies and what identification is required. This rule specifies the list of eligible persons and the acceptable forms of identification.
Historical Records
Alabama did not require statewide birth registration until January 1908. Some births in Dale County were recorded before that date through local government records, church records, or census enumerations, but coverage was inconsistent. The Alabama Department of Archives and History maintains microfilm copies of some early county records that may contain birth information.
For births before 1908, researchers should check the following sources: county probate court records that might contain delayed birth registrations, church baptismal and christening records, family Bibles, cemetery records, and federal census records. The FamilySearch website has an Alabama Births and Christenings Index covering 1881 to 1930 that may help locate older records.
Amendments and Corrections
Birth certificate amendments are handled by the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, not by county health departments. If you need to correct an error on a birth certificate or add information such as a father's name, you must contact the state office directly. The fee for amendments is $20.00. You will need to provide documentary evidence supporting the requested change.
Common amendments include adding a father's name through paternity acknowledgment or court order, correcting spelling errors, changing a name after adoption or legitimation, and updating gender markers. Minor corrections made within one year of the original filing may not result in the certificate being marked as amended. Changes made after one year will cause the certificate to show "AMENDED" with the date and a summary of the change.
Cities in Dale County
Dale County contains several municipalities including Ozark, Daleville, Level Plains, Midland City, Newton, and Pinckard. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so residents of all Dale County cities should visit the Dale County Health Department in Ozark for birth certificate services. There are no qualifying major cities with dedicated pages in Dale County.
Nearby Counties
If the Dale County Health Department is not convenient for you, birth certificates can be obtained at any county health department in Alabama. The following counties border Dale County or are nearby: