Find St. Clair County Death Records
St. Clair County death certificates come from the health department. This county has over 91,000 people. It is one of the faster growing areas in Alabama. The county has two seats: Ashville and Pell City. Staff can pull up death records for anywhere in Alabama.
St. Clair County Quick Facts
St. Clair County Health Department
St. Clair County has two health department locations. The main office is in Pell City. There is also a clinic in Ashville. Both can help with St. Clair County death records. Staff can search the state ViSION system and print copies while you wait.
Most requests take 15 to 30 minutes in St. Clair County. You can get records for deaths in other Alabama counties from either office too.
Pell City Office (Main)
| Address | 1175 23rd Street North Pell City, AL 35125 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 338-3357 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Ashville Satellite Clinic
| Address | 31675 U.S. Highway 411 Ashville, AL 35953 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 594-4919 |
For more info, visit the St. Clair County Health Department website.
Ways to Request Death Certificates
You have a few options for getting St. Clair County death records. Pick what works for your needs.
Visit Either Health Department Office
Walking in is fastest. Go to the Pell City or Ashville office. 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 St. Clair County.
Cash, check, and money order work at both locations. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You leave with your St. Clair County death certificate that same day.
Mail Your Request
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 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. Standard takes about one week for St. Clair County death records.
Who Is Eligible for Death Records
Access depends on how old the record is. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death records are private for 25 years. After that, anyone can get a copy in St. Clair County. No reason is needed for older records.
Within the 25-year window, 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 for the estate
- The informant on the certificate
- Government agencies for official uses
Others may qualify with proof of a personal or property interest. Bring your documents. Commercial firms wanting bulk data or mailing lists cannot get St. Clair County death records in Alabama.
Death Certificate Fees
Fees are the same across all 67 counties in Alabama. St. Clair County charges the standard rates set by the State Board of Health.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search with one certified copy | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $6.00 |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 extra |
| Amendment or correction | $20.00 |
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 service fees on top of these state rates.
Historical and Older Records
Alabama began death registration January 1, 1908. Full compliance grew over time. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were filed. All records from 1908 on are in the state system. Records over 25 years old are public in St. Clair County.
Deaths before 1908 need other research. Some county health officers kept local registers as early as 1881 in Alabama. Not all did. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of early registers that exist.
For pre-1908 death info in St. Clair County, try these sources:
- Probate court records with wills and estates
- Church burial records from Pell City, Ashville, and nearby towns
- Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
- Old newspaper obituaries from St. Clair County 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 names with scanned images of St. Clair County death certificates.
Death Investigation Process
The St. Clair 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 St. Clair County.
When an autopsy is needed, the coroner can request one. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences runs the labs. St. Clair County cases usually go to the Birmingham or Montgomery lab.
State law says some deaths must go to the coroner right away in Alabama. These include deaths from injury, deaths in jails, deaths during surgery, and sudden deaths with no known cause. Funeral homes must wait for coroner sign-off before burial or cremation in St. Clair 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 St. Clair County
St. Clair County has no cities over 50,000 people. Pell City is the largest with about 15,000 residents. It is also one of the two county seats. Ashville is the other seat. Moody, Springville, Odenville, and Ragland are other towns in St. Clair County. The health department offices handle all St. Clair County death records.
The county is east of Birmingham. Many people commute to work there. For death records in Birmingham, see our Birmingham city page or the Jefferson County page.
Nearby Counties
St. Clair County is northeast of Birmingham in Alabama. 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 St. Clair County or other parts of Alabama.