Alabama Public Records

Alabama was explored by Europeans as early as 1519, although the Alabama territory wasn’t established by the U.S. until 1817. With all this history, there are many types of public records available, both with historic and current value. Popular Alabama public records include vital records, but there are restrictions.  Alabama birth records are restricted for 125 years and death records for 25 years. These vital records, plus Alabama marriage records and divorce records, can be requested from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.  If you are looking for Alabama court records, they are available online for a fee or at the local court that handled the case. To request your own Alabama criminal records, visit the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC).  However, only law enforcement and authorized employers may request a third party’s criminal records. To explore historic public records, like Alabama military records, cemetery and vital records and obituaries, visit the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

About Alabama Public Records

Alabama does restrict access to birth and death records; however authorized recipients may always request these vital records. This includes the person of record, a family member, legal guardian or someone with a court order. Otherwise, these Alabama public records don’t become public record for 125 years for birth records and 25 years for death records. For those performing genealogy research, this policy shouldn’t interfere your progress significantly. Alabama marriage records and divorce records are unrestricted, meaning anyone may request these records.

Although vital records are recorded by the state health department, each county has a local branch that can satisfy in-person inquiries. Other restricted records include access to statewide criminal records. Historic vital records are stored through the state branch and can be requested just like current vital records. A criminal records report can only be issued to the person of record for informational purposes.

Obtaining Public Records Online in Alabama

If you want the luxury of performing an Alabama public records search online, then you can start searching Alabama court records. The state court system offers a public access web portal called Just One Look, which allows anyone to perform a name-based search or a case number search for court records. Specifically, civil, criminal, child support, domestic relations, small claims and traffic cases are included in this database. There is a charge to access these Alabama online public records.

Researching criminal court records is the only way around Alabama’s restriction on conducting a background search on a third party because criminal records, unless sealed, are open records. Although vital records may be ordered online, you cannot, by law, search through an online database.

Performing an Historic Alabama Public Records Search

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is an important resource for those performing genealogy or historical research related to Alabama. There is an enormous records collection housed in this department that is open for public inspection. Included are Alabama military records from multiple conflicts, including the American Revolution, War of 1812, Texas War for Independence, Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Vietnam War.

Alabama cemetery records are housed in the Archives Department and are included with some church records. There are also several links available to digital cemetery records for Alabama. Also preserved are numerous Alabama newspapers, many of which feature obituaries and can be researched mostly on microfilm.

An Alabama public records search should include exploring the records collections at the Archives. They have many online indexes available to help narrow down your search before visiting the Research Room in Montgomery. If a visit isn’t feasible, fill out a reference request form and submit it, along with the appropriate fee, and a staff member will perform your research for you and mail copies of any information discovered.