Find Birth Records in Madison County

Birth records for Madison County residents are at the Madison County Health Department in Huntsville. This office is part of the Northern Public Health District. It taps into the statewide vital records database run by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Madison County is home to Huntsville, now Alabama's largest city and a hub for aerospace and tech. The health department handles thousands of birth certificate requests each year. Most walk-in requests are done in 15 to 30 minutes. Staff can pull records for any Alabama birth, not just ones from Madison County.

Madison County Health Department

The Madison County Health Department runs under the state's Northern District. This office provides vital records services including certified copies of birth certificates for any Alabama birth. You can find it on Max Luther Drive in northwest Huntsville. It is easy to reach from major roads and neighborhoods.

Address	301 Max Luther Drive N.W., Huntsville, AL 35811
Phone	(256) 539-3711
Fax	(256) 536-2084
Hours	Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Website	alabamapublichealth.gov/madison

Parking is on site. The vital records office is in the main building. Check in at the front desk and ask for birth certificate services. Peak hours may mean a short wait. But once you reach the counter, processing is quick.

How to Request Birth Certificates

In Person Requests

Walking into the Madison County Health Department is the fastest way to get a birth certificate. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Fill out the form on site. Staff will search and print your certificate while you wait. Most requests take 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.

Asking for someone else's birth certificate? You have to prove your link or legal right. Parents can request for their minor children. Adult children can ask for their parents' certificates. Spouses, siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians can too. Bring proof of your relationship, like your own birth certificate or marriage certificate. Legal reps should bring court orders or powers of attorney.

Mail Requests

You can request by mail through the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. Get Form HS-14 from the ADPH site. Fill it all out. Add a clear copy of your ID, both sides. Send payment by check or money order made out to "Center for Health Statistics." Mail it to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they get it. You cannot mail requests to the Madison County Health Department directly.

Online Orders

Online orders go through VitalChek, the state's approved vendor. This adds fees on top of the standard cost. It works if you need fast shipping or cannot go in person. Go to the Alabama vital records page and click the online link. You make an account and submit your request. Credit and debit cards are accepted.

Fees and Costs

Madison County charges the same fees as all counties in Alabama. The state sets these rates. They are the same everywhere.

Service	Fee
Search (includes one certified copy)	$15.00
Additional copies (same order)	$6.00 each
Expedited processing (mail orders)	$15.00 additional

You can pay with cash, checks, or money orders. Make checks out to "Madison County Health Department." Some places now take cards, but call ahead to check. VitalChek adds its own fees, which depend on how fast you want it shipped.

Legal Requirements and Eligibility

Alabama law restricts access to birth certificates less than 125 years old. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-22, certified copies are legal evidence of the facts stated and can only be issued to eligible applicants. The Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 defines who qualifies to receive copies.

Who Can Get a Birth Certificate

The person named on the certificate can request their own copy if they are at least 14 years old or are an emancipated minor. Parents named on the birth certificate can request copies for their children of any age. The registrant's spouse, adult children, siblings, and grandparents are eligible. Legal guardians with court documentation can request certificates for persons under their care.

Legal representatives and attorneys can request certificates with proper authorization from eligible parties. Government agencies can access records for official purposes with appropriate documentation. Court orders can authorize access for persons not otherwise eligible. After 125 years, birth records become public and anyone can request copies.

Required Identification

All applicants must provide valid photo identification. Acceptable forms include state-issued driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. The ID must be current and not expired. If requesting for another person, additional documentation proving the relationship or legal authority is required.

Birth Registration in Alabama

Alabama began requiring statewide birth registration on January 1, 1908. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-7, hospitals and birth attendants must file a birth certificate with the state within five days of a live birth. The certificate includes the child's name, date and place of birth, and parent information.

For births before 1908, records may exist in church registers, family bibles, or county courthouse records. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some pre-1908 birth records that were kept voluntarily by local governments. Census records can also help document birth dates and birthplaces for genealogical purposes.

Delayed Birth Registration

If a birth was never registered or the certificate was lost, Alabama allows delayed registration. Alabama Code § 22-9A-9 sets the requirements based on how much time has passed since the birth. Registrations within one year use standard forms. Those filed between one and five years after birth are marked "Delayed Registration."

For registrations more than five years after birth, you need documentary evidence from independent sources. Examples include hospital records, church baptismal records, census records, and school records. You also need an affidavit from someone at least ten years older than you who has personal knowledge of your birth. The fee for delayed registration is $20.00. Contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2637 for instructions.

Amendments and Corrections

Mistakes on birth certificates can be corrected through the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. County health departments cannot process amendments, though they can provide information and forms. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-19, minor corrections within the first year do not mark the certificate as amended.

Common amendments include adding a father's name, correcting spelling errors, and changing names after legitimation or paternity determination. Each amendment requires supporting documentation. Certificates corrected more than one year after filing will show "AMENDED" and include the date and nature of the change. The fee is $20.00 for most amendments.

Adoption Records

When a child is adopted in Alabama, a new birth certificate is issued showing the adoptive parents. The original certificate is sealed. Alabama is an unrestricted state for adoptee access, meaning adults who were adopted can request copies of their original birth certificates.

Adoptees 19 years or older can request a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate for $25.00. The request must have an original signature and cannot be submitted online. The Center for Health Statistics provides copies of all documents in the sealed file, which often includes court records from the adoption. Birth parents can file a Contact Preference Form indicating their wishes regarding contact.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County includes the city of Huntsville, which has the largest population in Alabama. Residents of all cities and communities in Madison County obtain birth certificates from the Madison County Health Department in Huntsville.

Other communities in Madison County include Madison, which is a separate incorporated city in the county. Harvest, Hazel Green, Meridianville, and New Hope are unincorporated communities and smaller towns. All use the same health department for vital records services.

Nearby Counties

If the Madison County Health Department is not convenient, you can obtain Alabama birth certificates from any county health department in the state. All locations access the same statewide database.