Search Huntsville Death Records
Huntsville death records are available through the Madison County Health Department. With over 230,000 people, Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama.
Huntsville Quick Facts
Where to Get Death Certificates in Huntsville
Huntsville is in Madison County. The Madison County Health Department handles all Huntsville death certificate requests. The office sits on Max Luther Drive, about 10 minutes north of downtown Huntsville. You do not need an appointment. Just walk in with your ID and the facts about the deceased in Alabama.
The health department uses the ViSION computer system. This is the same system used by every other county in Alabama. They can find and print Huntsville death records from any part of the state. If your family member died in Mobile or Birmingham, you can still get the certificate locally in Huntsville.
| Office | Madison County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 Max Luther Drive NW Huntsville, AL 35811 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 17708 Huntsville, AL 35810 |
| Phone | (256) 539-3711 |
| Vital Records | (256) 533-8677 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Request a Death Certificate
Huntsville residents have four main ways to get death certificates. Each has its own trade-offs in speed and cost in Alabama.
Visit Madison County Health Department
Going in person is the fastest way. Bring a valid photo ID. Know the full name of the deceased. Know when they died. Know the county if possible. Staff can print your copy while you wait. Payment by check, money order, or cash works in Huntsville. Some offices take cards. Call to ask in Alabama.
Order by Mail
Mail your request to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. Get Form HS-14 from the state health site. Fill it out. Include a copy of your ID. Make your check out to Center for Health Statistics. Mail it to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Expect 7 to 10 days for processing in Alabama.
Order Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online partner for Alabama vital records. Order at vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Pay by card. Pick fast shipping if you need it. Standard delivery takes about a week for Huntsville death certificates. VitalChek adds service fees on top of the state cost in Alabama.
Request from Any Alabama County
All 67 counties link to the state ViSION system. You can ask for a Huntsville death certificate at any county health department in Alabama. This helps if you travel or live in another part of the state now. The fees stay the same in Huntsville.
Death Certificate Fees in Huntsville
The State Board of Health sets fees under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-23. These fees are the same at Madison County, the state office in Montgomery, and every other county in Alabama.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy (includes search) | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $6.00 |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 extra |
| Amendments or corrections | $20.00 |
If the state cannot find a match, you still pay the fee. They give you a Certificate of Failure to Find instead of a Huntsville death certificate. Fees are not refundable. VitalChek orders have extra charges in Alabama.
Who Can Get a Death Certificate
Access to Huntsville death records follows a 25-year rule. Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21 sets this rule in Alabama.
Records Older Than 25 Years
After 25 years, a death certificate becomes public. Anyone can ask for a copy for any reason. You do not need to prove family ties in Huntsville. This makes older records useful for family research, property disputes, and history work in Alabama.
Records Within the Past 25 Years
Huntsville death certificates from the last 25 years stay sealed. Only certain people may get copies. The list includes parents, spouses, children, siblings, and grandchildren of the deceased. Legal reps for the family or estate can also ask in Alabama. Others may qualify if they show a valid interest.
Government agencies can access sealed records for official work in Alabama. Researchers may ask for data under written deals with the state. Firms seeking bulk lists cannot get restricted Huntsville death records.
Huntsville Death Investigation Resources
When a death in Huntsville involves violence, accident, suicide, or sudden causes, the Madison County Coroner looks into it. The coroner works with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences lab in Huntsville. This lab serves all of northern Alabama. It handles toxicology testing and cause of death work.
For deaths at Huntsville Hospital or Crestwood Medical Center, the hospital records department may have more documents. Hospital records are separate from the official Huntsville death certificate in Alabama.
Historical Death Records
FamilySearch has free access to Alabama death records from 1908 to 1974. This database has over 1.8 million names. You can search at familysearch.org without an account. For deaths before 1908 in Huntsville, check probate court records, cemetery files, and church registers at the Madison County Archives or the Alabama Archives in Montgomery.
Huntsville Hospital Records
Huntsville Hospital keeps medical records for patients who died at their facilities. These records include clinical notes and lab results. Contact the hospital at (256) 265-1000 for copies. Medical records are separate from official Huntsville death certificates in Alabama.
Madison County Death Records
Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The county has over 395,000 people. The county health department handles Huntsville death certificates for all Madison County cities. For more details about county resources, visit the Madison County page in Alabama.
Nearby Cities
Other major Alabama cities with death record info and resources:
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