Access Elmore County Birth Records

Elmore County birth records can be obtained through the Elmore County Health Department in Wetumpka, the county seat. This office is part of the East Central Public Health District and has access to Alabama's statewide vital records computer system. Staff can search for and issue certified copies of birth certificates for any registered birth in the state dating back to 1908. The location on U.S. Highway 231 is convenient for residents of Wetumpka, Millbrook, Tallassee, and Prattville. Walk-in visitors typically receive their certificates the same day they request them.

Elmore County Health Department

The Elmore County Health Department handles birth certificate requests for county residents and anyone else who visits. The vital records staff can pull records from the statewide database, so you do not need to go to the county where the birth took place. This makes the Wetumpka office useful for people who live in Elmore County but were born elsewhere in Alabama.

Address	6501 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone	(334) 567-1171
Fax	(334) 567-1186
Hours	Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Website	alabamapublichealth.gov/elmore

How to Request a Birth Certificate

Visit the health department in person for the fastest service. You can also request by mail if you cannot come in, and online ordering is available through VitalChek for an extra fee.

In-Person Requests

Go to the Elmore County Health Department during regular hours. At the vital records counter, ask for an application. Fill it out with the person's full name as it appears on the birth certificate, date of birth, and parents' names. Show your valid government ID to the clerk. Pay the fee and wait while they search and print the certificate. Most in-person requests take 15 to 30 minutes.

Mail Requests

Download the application from the Alabama Department of Public Health website. Complete all required fields. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your photo ID. Get a check or money order for the correct amount and make it payable to "Elmore County Health Department." Mail everything to the address listed above. Processing takes about 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your request.

Online Requests

VitalChek is the only authorized online vendor for Alabama birth certificates. You can use their website to place an order with a credit card. They charge service fees on top of the state fees, so online orders cost more. Expedited shipping is available for an additional charge.

Fees and Costs

Elmore County Health Department charges the standard statewide fees set by the Alabama Department of Public Health. These fees are uniform across all 67 counties.

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

Cash, checks, and money orders are the standard payment methods. Call ahead to check if credit or debit cards are accepted. Make checks payable to "Elmore County Health Department." No refunds are issued if the search does not find a matching record.

Eligibility Requirements

Birth certificates in Alabama are restricted for 125 years from the date of birth. Only eligible persons may receive certified copies. The registrant can request their own certificate if age 14 or older, or if legally emancipated. Parents named on the certificate can get copies for their children.

Eligible family members also include the registrant's spouse, children age 14 or older, siblings age 14 or older, and grandparents. Legal representatives with proper authority can act on behalf of eligible persons. Government agencies may obtain records for official purposes. Court orders can authorize release to anyone. If you do not qualify, you need written authorization from an eligible person.

Legal Framework and Statutes

Alabama's vital records laws are in Title 22, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code. These statutes cover birth registration requirements, who can get copies, and related procedures.

Alabama Code Section 22-9A-7 requires that a birth certificate be filed within five days of every live birth. Hospitals prepare and file certificates for births that happen in their facilities. For home births, the attending practitioner or the parents must file.

Alabama Code Section 22-9A-22 governs the issuance of certified copies. Certified copies are considered prima facie evidence of the facts stated. The State Registrar has authority to set fees and adopt rules about issuance.

Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 contains the detailed rules about eligibility and identification requirements. This regulation specifies who can get copies and what ID documents are acceptable.

Historical Records

Statewide birth registration began in Alabama in January 1908. Births before that date were not consistently recorded. Some early Elmore County births might be found in church records, probate court files, or federal census records. The Alabama Department of Archives and History maintains microfilm of historical local government records.

For genealogy research on pre-1908 births, check federal census records from 1850 onward, probate court records, church baptismal registers, cemetery inscriptions, and family Bibles. FamilySearch has a free Alabama Births and Christenings Index covering 1881 to 1930.

Amendments and Corrections

Birth certificate amendments are processed by the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, not by county health departments. If you need to correct an error or add a father's name, contact the state office at (334) 206-2637. The amendment fee is $20 and you must provide supporting documents.

Common amendments include adding or changing paternity information, correcting misspelled names, updating after adoption, and changing gender markers. Changes made more than one year after the original registration result in the certificate being marked "AMENDED."

Cities in Elmore County

Elmore County includes Wetumpka, Millbrook, Tallassee, Eclectic, and Coosada among other communities. None of these cities have populations exceeding 100,000. Residents of all Elmore County cities should use the Elmore County Health Department for birth certificate services. The nearby city of Montgomery is in Montgomery County.

Nearby Counties

Birth certificates can be obtained from any Alabama county health department. These counties border or are near Elmore County: