Find Pike County Death Records

Pike County death certificates come from the health department in Troy. Staff can pull up records from anywhere in Alabama. The state ViSION system links all 67 counties. Records go back to 1908 in Pike County.

Pike County Health Department

The Pike County Health Department is your main source for Pike County death records. The office is on South Franklin Drive in Troy, not far from Troy University. Staff search the state database and print copies fast. Most requests take 15 to 30 minutes in Pike County.

This is the fastest way to get a death certificate. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours. You can also request records from other Alabama counties at this same office since they all share one system.

Ways to Request Death Certificates

You have a few options for getting Pike County death certificates. Pick what works for your needs and timeline.

Visit the Health Department

Going in person is fastest. Bring a photo ID like a license or passport. Give the clerk the name of the person who died. Add the death date if known. Tell them where the death happened. Staff will search and print your copy on the spot in Pike County.

You can pay with cash, check, or money order. The whole thing takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You leave with your Pike County death certificate that same day.

Send a Mail Request

Write to the Center for Health Statistics. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Put in the full name of the deceased. Add the death date and place. State your tie to them. Send a copy of your ID and a check made to Center for Health Statistics in Alabama.

Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they get your letter. Mail time adds more days.

Use VitalChek Online

VitalChek is the state online service. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Pay by credit or debit card. Pick your shipping speed. VitalChek adds fees on top of the state price for Pike County death records. Standard takes about one week.

Eligibility for Death Records

Alabama law controls who can get death certificates. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death records are private for 25 years. After that, records become public in Pike County. Anyone can get them.

Within the 25-year window, only some people qualify in Alabama:

• Spouse of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased
• Adult children of the deceased
• Brothers and sisters of the deceased
• Grandchildren of the deceased
• Legal reps handling the estate
• The informant who signed the form
• Government agencies with official duties

Others may qualify with proof of a personal or property interest. Bring your documents. Commercial firms wanting bulk data or mailing lists cannot get Pike County death records under state law in Alabama.

Death Certificate Fees

Alabama sets the same fees for all counties. The Pike County Health Department charges what every other county charges. These rates come from Alabama Code Section 22-9A-23.

Fees are nonrefundable. If no record is found, you pay anyway. You get a Certificate of Failure to Find instead. VitalChek adds service fees beyond these state prices in Alabama.

Older and Historical Records

Alabama started death registration January 1, 1908. Compliance grew slowly. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were filed. All records from 1908 on are in the state system. Records past the 25-year mark are public in Pike County.

For deaths before 1908, you need other sources. Some counties kept local death registers starting in 1881 in Alabama. Not all did though. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm copies of early registers that survive.

Try these sources for pre-1908 Pike County death information:

• Probate court records with wills and estates
• Church burial records from Troy and area churches
• Cemetery records and headstone data
• The Troy Messenger and other local papers
• Federal mortality schedules from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880

FamilySearch has a free collection called Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974. It has over 1.8 million entries. You can search by name and view scanned images of Pike County death certificates.

Death Investigation Process

The Pike County Coroner handles certain death cases. Deaths from violence, accidents, suicide, or sudden causes need the coroner. Alabama uses an elected coroner system. The coroner finds the cause and manner of death in Pike County.

When needed, the coroner can request an autopsy. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences runs the labs. The Montgomery lab covers Pike County and other central Alabama locations.

State law requires some deaths go to the coroner right away in Alabama. These include deaths from injury, deaths in jails, deaths during surgery, and sudden deaths without known cause. Funeral homes must wait for coroner sign-off before burial or cremation in Pike County.

Legal Framework for Death Records

Death records in Alabama are governed by the Alabama Vital Statistics Act. You find it in Title 22, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code. Key sections include:

• Section 22-9A-14: Deaths must be filed within five days
• Section 22-9A-21: Creates the 25-year privacy rule and lists who can access restricted records
• Section 22-9A-22: Lets county health departments issue certified copies
• Section 22-9A-23: Sets the fees for death certificates

These laws apply to all 67 Alabama counties. The statutes are on the Alabama Legislature website.

Cities in Pike County

Pike County has no cities over 50,000 people. Troy is the largest city and county seat with about 18,000 residents. Troy University is a major presence there. Brundidge and Goshen are other towns in Pike County. All Pike County death records go through the health department in Troy.

Dothan is the nearest large city. It is in Houston County. For records from there, see our Dothan city page or the Houston County page.

Nearby Counties

Pike County is in southeast Alabama. Family members may have lived or died in nearby counties.

Start Your Search

Use the search form below to find death records in Pike County or other parts of Alabama.