Search Russell County Death Records

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

Russell County Health Department

The Russell County Health Department is your main stop for Russell County death certificates. The office is on Crawford Road in Phenix City. Phenix City is both the county seat and the largest city in Russell County. Staff can search the state database and print copies fast.

Most requests take 15 to 30 minutes in Russell County. You can also get death records from other Alabama counties at this same office. The system is statewide.

How to Request Death Certificates

You have three ways to get Russell County death records. Pick what works for your timeline and needs.

Visit in Person

Walking in is fastest. Bring a photo ID. Give the clerk the name of the person who died. Add the death date if you know it. Tell them where the death happened. Staff will search and print your copy on the spot in Russell County.

Cash, check, and money order work. The whole process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You leave with your Russell County death certificate that same day.

Request by Mail

Send a letter to the Center for Health Statistics. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include 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.

Order Online

VitalChek is the state vendor for online orders. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Pay by credit card. Pick your shipping speed. VitalChek adds fees beyond the state price. Standard takes about one week for Russell County death records.

Who Is Eligible for Death Records

Alabama law limits who can get death certificates. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, records stay private for 25 years. After that, anyone can get a copy in Russell County. No reason is needed for older records.

For deaths in the past 25 years, only some people can get certified copies 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 on the death certificate
• Government agencies with official duties

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

Death Certificate Fees

Fees are set at the state level. They are the same across all 67 counties in Alabama. Russell County charges the standard rates.

If no record is found, you still pay. You get a Certificate of Failure to Find instead. Fees are not refundable in Alabama. VitalChek adds extra charges on top of state fees.

Historical Death Records

Alabama began death registration January 1, 1908. It took time for full compliance. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were filed. All records from 1908 on are in the state system. Those over 25 years old are public in Russell County.

For deaths before 1908, you need other sources. Some counties kept local death registers starting around 1881 in Alabama. Coverage was uneven. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of early registers that exist.

Try these sources for pre-1908 death info in Russell County:

• Probate court records with wills and estates
• Church burial records from Phenix City and nearby towns
• Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
• Old newspaper obituaries from Russell County papers
• Federal mortality schedules from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880

FamilySearch has a free database called Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974. It has over 1.8 million names. You can search and view images of Russell County death certificates at familysearch.org.

Death Investigation in Russell County

The Russell County Coroner looks into certain deaths. Deaths from violence, accidents, suicide, or sudden causes go to the coroner. The coroner finds the cause and manner of death. Alabama uses an elected coroner system in Russell County.

When an autopsy is needed, the coroner can request one. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences runs the labs. Russell County cases usually go to the Montgomery lab.

State law says some deaths must go to the coroner right away in Alabama. These include deaths from injury, deaths in custody, deaths during surgery, and sudden deaths with no known cause. Funeral homes must wait for coroner sign-off before burial or cremation in Russell County.

Alabama Death Record Laws

Death certificates 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: Sets 25-year privacy and lists who can access restricted records
• Section 22-9A-22: Lets county health offices issue certified copies
• Section 22-9A-23: Sets the fee schedule

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

Cities in Russell County

Russell County has no cities above 50,000 people. Phenix City is the largest city and county seat with about 38,000 residents. It sits right across the river from Columbus, Georgia. The two cities share a metro area. Hurtsboro, Seale, and Fort Mitchell are other towns in Russell County. All Russell County death records go through the health department in Phenix City.

Auburn is the nearest major Alabama city. It is in Lee County. For records from there, see our Auburn city page.

Nearby Counties

Russell County is in eastern Alabama along the Georgia border. Nearby counties may have records for family who lived in this region.

Start Your Search

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