Tallapoosa County Death Records Search

Tallapoosa County death records are kept at the health department. This east Alabama county has two branch sites that can help you get death certificates. About 40,000 people live here. Lake Martin draws lots of folks to the area each year. Both health department locations connect to the state ViSION database and can pull records for deaths that took place anywhere in Alabama. Files go back to 1908, and those more than 25 years old are open to the public in Tallapoosa County.

Tallapoosa County Health Department

Two health department sites serve Tallapoosa County. Pick the one that works best for you. Both use the same state database. Staff at each site can print your certified copy while you wait.

Alexander City Branch

The Alexander City office is the larger of the two sites in Tallapoosa County. Most people who live near Lake Martin use this branch. You can walk in during business hours and staff will help you search for Tallapoosa County death records right away. The office has good parking and is easy to find off Highway 280.

Dadeville Branch

The Dadeville office sits in the county seat. It serves the west side of Tallapoosa County. This is a smaller site but does the same work as the one in Alexander City. Staff can look up death records and print copies for you on the spot.

For more information, visit the Tallapoosa County Health Department website.

How to Get Death Certificates

You have three main ways to get a death certificate in Tallapoosa County. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the document and whether you can visit an office in person.

Visit in Person

Going to the health department is the fastest way. Bring a photo ID. Know the name of the person who died. Have the death date if you can. Tell staff where the death took place. They will search the ViSION system for you. Most searches take about 15 to 30 minutes. You can pay with cash, check, or money order at both sites in Tallapoosa County. Some offices take debit cards but call first to check.

Send a Mail Request

Write to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Put the full name of the person who died in your letter. Add the date and place of death. Say how you are related to them. Send a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order made out to Center for Health Statistics. Plan on 7 to 10 business days for them to process your request in Alabama.

Order Through VitalChek

VitalChek runs the online order system for Alabama. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. You can use a credit card or debit card. VitalChek adds service fees on top of the state price. Most orders ship within one week. Rush options cost more but arrive faster.

Who Can Request Death Records

Alabama law says who can get death certificates. The rules depend on how old the record is. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death records stay private for 25 years from the death date. After that, anyone can request a copy for any reason in Alabama.

During the 25-year restricted period, only certain people can get certified copies of Tallapoosa County death records:

• Spouse of the person who died
• Parents of the person who died
• Adult children of the person who died
• Brothers and sisters of the person who died
• Grandchildren of the person who died
• Legal reps for the estate
• The informant named on the death certificate
• Government agencies with official duties

Others with a personal or property interest may also qualify. Bring documents that show your need. Companies cannot get bulk records or mailing lists under state law in Alabama.

Fee Schedule

Death certificate fees are the same across all 67 Alabama counties. The Board of Health sets these rates. Tallapoosa County charges the same fees as every other county in the state.

If no record is found, you still pay the fee. You get a Certificate of Failure to Find instead. Fees are not refundable. VitalChek adds service charges beyond state rates.

Historical Death Records

Alabama began statewide death registration on January 1, 1908. It took time for full compliance. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were being recorded in Alabama. All records from 1908 forward are in the state database. Those past the 25-year mark are public.

Deaths before 1908 require other research methods. Some county health officers kept local death registers starting around 1881, but not all did. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of early registers that survive. Coverage varies by county across Alabama.

For pre-1908 death information in Tallapoosa County, you can try these sources:

• Probate court records with wills and estate files
• Church burial records from Alexander City and Dadeville
• Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
• Old newspaper obituaries from the area
• 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 with images of the original certificates.

Death Investigation

When someone in Tallapoosa County dies from violence, an accident, suicide, or without clear cause, the coroner steps in. The Tallapoosa County Coroner looks into these deaths. They find out what caused the death and the manner of death. Alabama uses an elected coroner system in most counties.

If an autopsy is needed, the coroner can request one from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Cases from Tallapoosa County usually go to the Montgomery lab. Autopsy results become part of the death record but are separate from the standard certificate in Alabama.

State law says certain deaths must be reported to the coroner right away. This includes deaths from injury, deaths in custody, deaths during surgery, and sudden deaths with no clear medical cause. Funeral homes must wait for the coroner to release the body before moving forward with burial or cremation in Tallapoosa County.

Alabama Death Record Law

Death certificates in Alabama fall under the Alabama Vital Statistics Act. You can find this in Title 22, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code. The key sections that affect how you get death records are listed below:

• Section 22-9A-14: Deaths must be filed within five days
• Section 22-9A-21: Creates 25-year confidentiality period and lists who can access restricted records
• Section 22-9A-22: Allows county health offices to issue certified copies
• Section 22-9A-23: Sets the fee schedule

These rules apply statewide. You can read the full text on the Alabama Legislature website.

Cities in Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County has no cities above 50,000 in population. Alexander City is the largest with about 14,500 people. Dadeville is the county seat with roughly 3,200 residents. Other towns include Camp Hill, Jacksons Gap, and New Site. The Lake Martin area brings in many seasonal residents and visitors each year. Death records for all parts of Tallapoosa County go through the health department offices.

The nearest major city is Auburn in Lee County. For records from that area, see our Auburn city page.

Nearby Counties

Tallapoosa County sits in east Alabama. Family members may have lived or died in counties nearby. If you need death records from surrounding areas, check these counties:

Start Your Search

Use the search form below to find death records in Tallapoosa County or elsewhere in Alabama.