Search Baldwin County Death Records
Baldwin County death certificates can be found at any of three county health department locations. This is the largest county in Alabama by land area. The state set up offices in Robertsdale, Bay Minette, and Foley. You can walk into any of these and get a Baldwin County death certificate the same day.
Baldwin County Quick Facts
Baldwin County Health Department Locations
Baldwin County is big. There are three health department offices where you can get Baldwin County death records. Pick whichever one is closest. They all have access to the same state database in Alabama.
Robertsdale Office (Main Location)
| Address | 22251 Palmer Street Robertsdale, AL 36567 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 369 Robertsdale, AL 36567 |
| Phone | (251) 947-3618 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Bay Minette Office
This office is in the county seat. It handles the northern part of Baldwin County.
Foley Office
The Foley location serves the beach communities. It covers southern Baldwin County in Alabama.
All three offices are part of the Alabama Department of Public Health. They use the ViSION system for vital records. Call ahead if you want to make sure the office is open in Baldwin County.
How to Get Death Certificates
Getting a Baldwin County death certificate works the same as anywhere else in Alabama. You can go in person, mail a request, or order online. Here is what to expect with each option.
In Person Requests
Walk into any of the three health department offices with your ID. Fill out the vital records request form. Give them the name of the person who died. Give them the date of death. If you do not know the exact date, give them a range. They will search for it. Pay the fee. Wait for them to pull up the record. Most in person visits take 15 to 30 minutes in Baldwin County.
Mail Requests
Write a letter with the full name of the deceased. Include the date of death. Add the place of death if known. Include your own name and address. Explain why you need the Baldwin County death record if it is less than 25 years old. Include a check or money order payable to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail it to the Robertsdale office. Expect to wait 7 to 14 days for a response in Alabama.
Online Requests
Go to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics website. Click on the link to order vital records online. This takes you to VitalChek. The company handles online orders for the state. You can pay by credit card. You get tracking info. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee in Alabama.
Who Can Order Death Certificates
Alabama law limits who can get Baldwin County death certificates for recent deaths. The rules come from Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21. It sets a 25 year confidentiality period.
If the death was more than 25 years ago, anyone can order a copy. No questions asked. These are public records in Alabama.
If the death was less than 25 years ago, you have to be on the approved list. The spouse of the deceased qualifies. Parents qualify. Children qualify. Siblings and grandchildren qualify too. Attorneys handling an estate can get copies. Funeral directors can get copies. Government agencies can get them for official business in Baldwin County.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the health department. They can tell you what documents to bring in Alabama.
Fees for Death Certificates
The state sets fees for Baldwin County death certificates. They are the same as anywhere else in Alabama. The fee schedule is as follows:
| First Certified Copy | $15.00 |
|---|---|
| Additional Copies (Same Order) | $6.00 each |
| Expedited Service | $15.00 extra |
| Amendment to Record | $20.00 |
Need several copies? Order them all at once to save money. The first one is $15. Each extra copy in the same order is only $6. Many people need multiple copies for insurance, banks, and legal matters in Baldwin County.
Baldwin County has three health department locations that process death certificate requests.
Death Records History in Baldwin County
Alabama did not start keeping statewide vital records until January 1, 1908. Before that date, you will not find Baldwin County death certificates through the health department. Early records were kept by churches and cemeteries. Sometimes local courts kept them. There was no central place in Alabama.
Even after 1908, it took years for the system to get up and running. The state says compliance with death registration did not hit 90% until 1925. So if you are looking for deaths between 1908 and 1925, the record might exist. It might not in Baldwin County.
For deaths before 1908 in Baldwin County, try the Probate Court. They may have estate files. Church records and cemetery records are good sources for early deaths in Alabama.
Understanding Alabama Death Certificates
When you get a Baldwin County death certificate, it will look like every other Alabama death certificate. The state uses a standard form for all counties.
The certificate shows the full legal name of the deceased. It shows the date of birth and date of death. It shows the place of death. It includes the home address. It includes the Social Security number and occupation. The middle section covers medical information. It shows the cause of death. It shows contributing factors. It shows whether an autopsy was done in Baldwin County.
At the bottom you find information about final disposition. This tells you whether the person was buried or cremated. It names the funeral home. It gives the location where the body was laid to rest. This part can help if you are trying to find a grave in Alabama.
Certified copies have a raised seal. They have a registrar signature. Courts, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies accept them as legal proof of death in Baldwin County.
Other Record Sources in Baldwin County
The health department is the main source for Baldwin County death certificates. There are other places to look for death related information too in Alabama.
The Baldwin County Probate Court handles estates and wills. If the deceased owned property or had assets, there may be a probate file. These files include the date of death. They include a lot of financial information. The probate court has an online record search through their website in Baldwin County.
Obituaries in local newspapers are another source. The Baldwin Times, Gulf Coast News Today, and other local papers have run death notices for many years. Some are available online. Public libraries have older issues on file in Alabama.
Cemetery records can help too. Baldwin County has many cemeteries. They include public and private sites. They include church and municipal sites. Sexton records often list the date of death, age, and who paid for the plot in Baldwin County.
Cities in Baldwin County
Baldwin County has many cities and towns. They are spread across its large area. Major communities include Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Robertsdale. None of these cities have a population over 50,000. All Baldwin County death certificate requests go through the county health department offices in Alabama.
Residents of any city or unincorporated area in Baldwin County can use any of the three health department locations for vital records.