Find Tuscaloosa County Death Records
Tuscaloosa County death records are issued through the health department. This is one of the largest counties in Alabama with over 241,000 people. The University of Alabama sits here and brings in thousands of students each year. The health department connects to the statewide ViSION database, so you can request death certificates for deaths that took place anywhere in the state. Records go back to 1908 in Alabama. Those older than 25 years are open to the public in Tuscaloosa County.
Tuscaloosa County Quick Facts
Tuscaloosa County Health Department
The Tuscaloosa County Health Department handles death certificate requests for this area. The office sits on Hargrove Road East in the city of Tuscaloosa. When you come in person, staff can search the ViSION system and print certified copies while you wait. Plan for about 15 to 30 minutes for a typical request. This is usually the fastest way to get Tuscaloosa County death records.
The office is large and serves many people each day. You may want to arrive early to avoid long wait times, especially on Monday mornings and the first week of each month. Staff are helpful and can answer questions about the death record process in Alabama.
| Address | 2350 Hargrove Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 562-6900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alabamapublichealth.gov/tuscaloosa |
How to Request Death Certificates
You have a few options for getting a death certificate in Tuscaloosa County. Pick the method that works best for your needs and timeline.
Walk In to the Health Department
Going in person is the fastest way. Bring a valid photo ID. You need to know the name of the person who died, the date of death if you have it, and where the death took place. Staff will search the state database and print your certified copy on the spot. You can pay with cash, check, or money order. Some offices take debit cards but call ahead to make sure in Tuscaloosa County.
Mail Your Request
You can send a written request to the Center for Health Statistics. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Write out the full name of the person who died. Add the date and place of death. Say how you are related to them. Include a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order made to Center for Health Statistics. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they receive your letter in Alabama.
Order Online
VitalChek is the official vendor for online death certificate orders in Alabama. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Credit and debit cards work. VitalChek adds extra fees on top of the state price. Standard orders take about one week. Rush options cost more.
Who Is Eligible for Death Records
Access to death certificates depends on when the person died. Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21 keeps death records private for 25 years from the date of death. After 25 years pass, the record becomes public. Anyone can get a copy for any reason after that time in Alabama.
Within the 25-year restricted period, only certain people can request certified copies of Tuscaloosa 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 listed on the certificate
- Government agencies for official business
Others may qualify if they can show a personal or property interest that requires the record. Bring documents to support your request. Companies wanting bulk records or mailing lists cannot get restricted death certificates under Alabama law.
Death Certificate Fees
Fees for death certificates are the same across all 67 Alabama counties. The State Board of Health sets these rates. Tuscaloosa County follows the standard fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search and one certified copy | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $6.00 |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 extra |
| Correction or amendment | $20.00 |
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 these state rates.
Historical and Older Records
Statewide death registration in Alabama started on January 1, 1908. Full compliance built up over time. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were being recorded in Alabama. All records from 1908 to the present are in the state system. Records more than 25 years old are public.
For deaths before 1908, you need different sources. Some county health officers kept local death registers as early as 1881, but not all did. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of early county registers that survive. Coverage varies across Alabama.
You can try these sources for pre-1908 death information in Tuscaloosa County:
- Probate court records including wills and estate files
- Church burial records from Tuscaloosa and nearby areas
- Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
- Old newspaper obituaries from the Tuscaloosa News and other papers
- Federal mortality schedules from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880
FamilySearch offers Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974 for free online. This collection has over 1.8 million names with scanned images of original death certificates.
Death Investigation Process
When someone in Tuscaloosa County dies from violence, an accident, suicide, or suddenly without clear cause, the coroner steps in. The Tuscaloosa County Coroner looks into these deaths. They find the official cause and 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 Tuscaloosa County may go to the Montgomery or Birmingham lab depending on the situation. Autopsy results become part of the death record but are separate from the standard certificate in Alabama.
State law requires certain deaths be reported to the coroner right away. This includes deaths from injury, deaths in custody, deaths during medical procedures, and sudden deaths without known cause. Funeral homes cannot move forward with burial or cremation until the coroner gives approval in Tuscaloosa County.
Alabama Death Record Laws
Death records 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 registered within five days
- Section 22-9A-21: Creates 25-year confidentiality and lists who can access restricted records
- Section 22-9A-22: Allows county offices to issue certified copies
- Section 22-9A-23: Sets the fee schedule for vital records
These laws apply to every Alabama county. The full statutes are on the Alabama Legislature website.
Cities in Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County has one city above 50,000 people. The city of Tuscaloosa has over 114,000 residents and is home to the University of Alabama. Other towns in the county include Northport, Holt, Brookwood, Coaling, and Vance. The Mercedes-Benz plant near Vance is a major employer in this part of Alabama. Death records for all areas of Tuscaloosa County are handled through the health department.
Nearby Counties
Tuscaloosa County sits in west Alabama. If you are researching family history in this region, you may need to check records in counties nearby. Here are the counties that border Tuscaloosa County:
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