Bullock County Death Records
Bullock County death certificates are available at the county health department in Union Springs. The health department connects to the Alabama ViSION system. It stores death records from across the state going back to 1908. You can get a certified copy of a Bullock County death certificate for anyone who died here or in any other Alabama county.
Bullock County Quick Facts
Bullock County Health Department
The Bullock County Health Department is the place to go for death certificates. It is on Hicks Industrial Boulevard in Union Springs. That is also the county seat.
| Address | 674 Hicks Industrial Boulevard Union Springs, AL 36089 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 738-3030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Alabama Public Health - Bullock County |
Staff at the health department can search the statewide database. They print certified copies of Bullock County death certificates. They handle records for deaths that happened anywhere in Alabama.
How to Request Death Certificates
You have three options for getting a Bullock County death certificate. Here is how each one works.
In Person
The quickest way is to walk in. Bring your ID to the health department. Fill out a request form. Tell them the name of the person who died. Tell them when they died. If you only know the year, that is okay. They will search the database. If they find the record, they print a certified copy right there. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes in Bullock County.
By Mail
Send a letter with the full name of the deceased. Include the date of death. Include where they died if you know. Add your name and mailing address. Add a check or money order payable to Alabama Department of Public Health for the fee amount. Mail it to the health department address above. Expect one to two weeks for them to process your request in Alabama.
Online
Alabama uses VitalChek for online orders. Go to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics website. Click the link to order vital records. You can pay by credit card. You can track your order status. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee in Bullock County.
Who Can Get Death Certificates
Alabama law limits who can request Bullock County death certificates. The rules are in Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21.
If the death happened more than 25 years ago, anyone can get a copy. These old records are public. They are open to all in Alabama.
If the death happened less than 25 years ago, only certain people qualify. The spouse of the deceased qualifies. Parents qualify. Children qualify. Brothers and sisters qualify. Grandchildren qualify. Lawyers handling estates can get copies. Funeral directors can get copies. Government workers can request them for official business. A court order allows anyone to get a copy in Bullock County.
Call the health department if you are unsure whether you qualify. They can explain what proof you need to show your relationship in Alabama.
Fees
Bullock County death certificate fees are set by the state. They are the same across all Alabama counties. The fee structure is as follows:
| First Copy | $15.00 |
|---|---|
| Additional Copies | $6.00 each (same order) |
| Expedited Service | $15.00 extra |
| Amendment | $20.00 |
If you need multiple copies, order them all at once. The first is $15. Each extra one is just $6 in the same order. Many people need several copies for banks, insurance, and legal matters in Bullock County.
Fees are not refundable. If the search comes up empty, you still pay. You get a Certificate of Failure to Find in Alabama.
The Bullock County Health Department issues death certificates through the Alabama ViSION database.
What Death Certificates Show
Bullock County death certificates follow a standard format. Here is what information they contain.
The top section lists basic facts. It shows the full legal name. It shows the date of birth. It shows the date of death. It shows the place where death occurred. It also shows the home address, Social Security number, race, and sex of the deceased in Bullock County.
The middle section has medical details. This includes the cause of death. It shows other conditions that contributed. It shows whether an autopsy was done. The certifying doctor or coroner signs this part in Alabama.
The bottom section covers disposition. It says whether the body was buried or cremated. It names the funeral home. It tells where the remains are located. This helps if you are trying to find a grave in Bullock County.
Alabama Death Records Law
Bullock County death records are governed by the Alabama Vital Statistics Act of 1992. It is found in Title 22, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code.
Section 22-9A-14 says every death must be registered within five days. The funeral home files the certificate. A doctor or coroner fills out the medical portion. If the cause of death is unknown at first, they mark it pending. They update it later in Alabama.
Section 22-9A-21 creates the 25 year confidentiality rule. Bullock County death records are private for 25 years. Then they become public. During that 25 years, only approved persons can get copies in Bullock County.
Section 22-9A-22 states that certified copies are as valid as the original record. Courts, banks, and insurance companies must accept them as legal proof of death in Alabama.
Finding Old Death Records
Alabama did not start keeping statewide vital records until January 1, 1908. For deaths before that date, there are no state Bullock County death certificates.
Even after 1908, registration was not complete right away. The state says 90% compliance did not happen until 1925. So for deaths from 1908 to 1925, records may or may not exist in Bullock County.
For pre-1908 deaths, try church records. Try cemetery logs. Try family bibles. The Bullock County Probate Court has old estate files. They often mention death dates. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery can help with historical research in Alabama.
Other Record Sources
The health department is the main source for Bullock County death certificates. However, other offices have related information too in Alabama.
The Bullock County Probate Court handles estates and wills. If someone died owning property, there is likely a probate file. These files contain death dates. They contain estate details in Bullock County.
Court records are available online through Alacourt.com. You can search civil and criminal cases. These might relate to a death in Alabama.
Old newspapers ran obituaries. Local libraries may have past issues. You can search for death notices in Bullock County.
Cities in Bullock County
Bullock County has a few small communities. Union Springs is the county seat. It is the largest town. Other places include Midway and Fitzpatrick. None have a population over 50,000. All residents go through the county health department for Bullock County death records in Alabama.