Marion County Birth Records Search

Birth records for Marion County residents are available at the Marion County Health Department in Hamilton. This office is part of the Northern Public Health District and connects to Alabama's statewide vital records database. Marion County sits in the northwest corner of Alabama, bordering Mississippi and close to the Tennessee state line. The health department can issue certified copies of birth certificates for any birth registered in Alabama, not just local ones. Staff process most walk-in requests the same day, usually within a half hour or less.

Marion County Health Department

The Marion County Health Department operates as part of the Alabama Department of Public Health's Northern District. The office provides vital records services including certified birth certificate copies. Staff access the same statewide database used by all Alabama county health departments.

Address	2448 Military Street South, Hamilton, AL 35570
Phone	(205) 921-3118
Fax	(205) 921-7954
Hours	Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Website	alabamapublichealth.gov/marion

Parking is available at the facility. When you arrive, check in at the front desk and request vital records services. The staff will help you complete the application and verify your identification. Processing is usually quick during normal business hours.

How to Request Birth Certificates

In Person Requests

Going to the Marion County Health Department in person is the quickest way to get a birth certificate. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will fill out an application at the counter. Staff search the database and print certificates while you wait. Most people are in and out within 30 minutes.

To request someone else's certificate, you must prove eligibility. Parents can get certificates for their children. Adult children can request for parents. Spouses, siblings, and grandparents are also eligible. Bring documents showing your relationship, such as your own birth certificate, marriage license, or court papers. Legal guardians need their guardianship documents.

Mail Requests

You can order birth certificates by mail through the state vital records office. Download Form HS-14 from the ADPH website, fill it out, and include a copy of your photo ID front and back. Send payment by check or money order made out to "Center for Health Statistics." Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.

Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they receive your request. Add time for mail delivery both ways. Expedited processing costs an extra $15.00. Do not send mail requests to the Marion County Health Department - they only accept in-person requests.

Online Orders

VitalChek handles online orders for Alabama birth certificates. Additional fees apply beyond the standard certificate cost. This option works well if you need faster service or cannot visit in person. Go to the Alabama vital records page and click the online ordering link. Credit and debit cards are accepted through VitalChek.

Fees and Costs

Marion County Health Department charges standard state fees for birth certificates. These fees are set by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

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

Payment at the Marion County Health Department can be made by cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to ask about credit and debit card acceptance. Checks should be made payable to "Marion County Health Department." The VitalChek online service adds its own service fees and shipping costs.

Legal Requirements and Eligibility

Alabama restricts access to birth certificates under 125 years old. Alabama Code § 22-9A-22 establishes that certified copies are legal evidence. Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 defines who can obtain copies.

Eligible Applicants

You can get your own birth certificate if you are at least 14 years old or an emancipated minor. Parents on the certificate can request copies for their children at any age. The person's spouse, adult children, siblings, and grandparents are eligible. Legal guardians and representatives with proper court documentation can also request copies.

Government agencies can access records for official purposes. Attorneys can request with client authorization. Anyone with a specific court order granting access is eligible. After 125 years, birth records become public and available to anyone who requests them.

Required Identification

Bring valid photo ID for all requests. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. The ID must be current and not expired. When requesting for another person, also bring proof of relationship or legal authority, such as your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order.

Birth Registration in Alabama

Statewide birth registration in Alabama began January 1, 1908. Alabama Code § 22-9A-7 requires hospitals and birth attendants to file a certificate within five days of a live birth. The certificate includes child's name, birth date and place, and parent information.

Pre-1908 births may be documented in church records, family bibles, county courthouse records, or census data. The Alabama Archives in Montgomery has some early local birth registers. FamilySearch offers an Alabama Births and Christenings index covering 1881 to 1930 that may help with genealogical research.

Delayed Birth Registration

Births not registered at the time can be filed later through delayed registration. Alabama Code § 22-9A-9 covers the requirements. Registrations within one year are filed normally. Those one to five years late are marked "Delayed Registration."

For registrations more than five years after birth, you need independent documentary evidence such as hospital records, baptismal records, census entries, or school records. You also need an affidavit from someone at least 10 years older with personal knowledge of the birth. The fee is $20.00. Contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2637.

Amendments and Corrections

Birth certificate amendments go through the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, not county health departments. 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, fixing spelling errors, and changing names after legitimation or paternity orders. Changes after the first year result in an "AMENDED" notation with the date and description of the change. Supporting documents are required. The amendment fee is $20.00.

Adoption Records

Alabama issues a new birth certificate after adoption with the adoptive parents' names. The original certificate is sealed. Alabama allows adult adoptees to access their original records. This makes Alabama an unrestricted state for adoptee access.

Adoptees 19 or older can request a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate for $25.00. The request must be signed in original ink and cannot be submitted online. The Center for Health Statistics sends copies of all documents in the sealed file, which often includes court papers from the adoption.

Cities in Marion County

Marion County includes the city of Hamilton, which serves as the county seat, along with several smaller communities. No cities in Marion County have populations exceeding 100,000, so there are no separate city pages on this site. All residents obtain birth certificates from the Marion County Health Department.

Other communities in Marion County include Guin, Hackleburg, Winfield (partly in Fayette County), Bear Creek, Brilliant, and Glen Allen. Residents of all these towns use the same county health department for vital records.

Nearby Counties

Any Alabama county health department can issue birth certificates for Alabama births. If another location works better for you, consider these neighboring counties: