Monroe County Death Records
Monroe County death records are at the health department in Monroeville. The office is on Agriculture Drive. Staff can search the state database for any death in Alabama. Monroe County has about 20,000 people. It sits in southwest Alabama and is known as the home of author Harper Lee.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Health Department
The Monroe County Health Department handles death certificate requests. Staff use the ViSION system to search and print records. The office is part of the state public health network. You can get death records for any death in Alabama here.
| Address | 416 Agriculture Drive Monroeville, AL 36460 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (251) 575-3108 |
| Environmental | (251) 575-7034 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/monroe |
How to Get Death Certificates
You can get Monroe County death certificates in several ways. Pick the one that fits your needs. Each method takes a different amount of time.
In Person Requests
Going in person is the fastest option. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license. 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 while you wait. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes in Monroe 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 it out to Center for Health Statistics. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103. It takes 7 to 10 days to get your copy in Alabama.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek handles online orders for Alabama. 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.
Who May Request Death Certificates
State law limits who can get recent death records. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death certificates stay private for 25 years. After that time, anyone can ask for a copy in Alabama.
For deaths in the last 25 years, only these people can get copies in Monroe 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 death records for ads 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.
Historical Death Records
Alabama started keeping death records on January 1, 1908. Monroe 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 Monroe County death records:
- Probate court wills and estate files
- Church burial records from Monroeville area
- Cemetery records and tombstones
- Newspaper obits from local 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 certificates.
Death Investigations
The county coroner looks into certain deaths in Monroe 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 coroner works with the state lab. The Mobile regional lab serves Monroe County. It does autopsies and forensic tests for death cases in Alabama.
Nearby Counties
Monroe County borders several other southwest 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 Monroe County or elsewhere in Alabama.