Marion County Death Index
Marion County death records are at the health department in Hamilton. The office sits on Military Street South. Staff can search the state database and print copies while you wait. Marion County has about 29,000 people. It sits along the Mississippi state line in northwest Alabama.
Marion County Quick Facts
Marion County Health Department
The Marion County Health Department handles death certificate requests in Marion County. Staff use the ViSION system to find records. They can search deaths from all of Alabama, not just local ones. The office is part of the state public health network.
| Address | 2448 Military Street South Hamilton, AL 35570 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 921-3118 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/marion |
How to Request Death Certificates
You can get Marion County death certificates three ways. Pick the one that works best for you. Each method takes a different amount of time.
In Person at the Health Department
Going in person is the fastest way. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license. You need to know the full name of the dead person. Also know when they died and how old they were. If the death is in the state system, staff can print your copy right away. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes in Marion County. You can pay with cash, check, or money order.
By Mail
To order by mail, send a form to Montgomery. Get the death certificate form from the state health website. Fill it out and add a check for $15. Make the check out to Center for Health Statistics. Mail it to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103. It takes 7 to 10 days to get your copy in Alabama.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state's online vendor. They take credit and debit cards. Go to their site or call 1-888-279-9888. Standard shipping takes 7 to 10 days. Rush options cost more. VitalChek adds fees on top of the state fee for death records in Alabama.
Who Can Get Death Certificates
State law says who can get death records. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death certificates stay private for 25 years. After that, anyone can ask for a copy in Alabama.
For deaths in the last 25 years, only these people can get copies in Marion County:
- Parents of the dead person
- Spouse of the dead person
- Children and grandchildren
- Brothers and sisters
- Legal reps of the estate
- The informant on the certificate
- Anyone with a direct interest
State agencies can get records for their work. Researchers may get data with a written deal. Firms cannot get restricted records for ads or marketing in Alabama.
Death Certificate Fees
The State Board of Health sets fees in Alabama. Alabama Code Section 22-9A-23 covers this. The same rates apply at all county health offices.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search with one certified copy | $15.00 |
| Additional copies in same order | $6.00 each |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 extra |
| Amendment or correction | $20.00 |
If no record is found, you still pay the search fee. You will get a Certificate of Failure to Find. Fees are not sent back. VitalChek orders cost more due to their service fees.
Historical Death Records
Alabama started keeping death records on January 1, 1908. Marion County death certificates from that date are in Montgomery. Records over 25 years old are now public in Alabama.
Death info from before 1908 must come from other sources. Some county death logs go back to 1881, but they are not complete. These are good places to look for old Marion County death records:
- Probate court wills and estate files
- Church burial records
- Cemetery records and tombstones
- Newspaper obits from Hamilton papers
- Federal mortality census from 1850 to 1880
The Alabama Archives has microfilm of many old records. FamilySearch has a free database called Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974. It has images of the original death certificates.
Death Investigations
The county coroner looks into certain deaths in Marion County. These include deaths from violence, accidents, suicide, or unknown causes. Alabama has elected coroners in most counties. The coroner finds the cause and manner of death.
When an autopsy is needed, the case goes to the state lab. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences does autopsies and forensic tests for death cases in Alabama.
Nearby Counties
Marion County borders Mississippi to the west. It also touches several other Alabama counties. All county health offices use the same database, so you can get death records from any spot in Alabama.
Start Your Search
Use the tool below to find death records in Marion County or elsewhere in Alabama.