Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-7-1-.22

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-7-1-.22 - Who May Obtain Certified Copies Of Vital Records

(1) An applicant requesting a certified copy of a vital record must provide sufficient information to locate the record requested and to establish that it is a record the requestor is entitled to obtain.

(2) The registrant on a birth certificate may obtain certified copies of his or her own record if he or she is at least 14 years of age or is an emancipated minor.

(3) For purposes of obtaining certified copies of vital records, immediate family members are considered to be the following:

(a) Mother as listed on the record;

(b) Father as listed on the record or, if the father is not listed on the record, the written application must state that the requestor has physical custody of the child or pays child support for the child, or documentation must be presented to show that the requestor has been determined to be the father of the registrant;

(c) Adult brother or sister of the registrant;

(d) Adult son or daughter of the registrant; or

(e) Husband or wife of the registrant.

(4) Certified copies of a birth certificate may be obtained for a minor child by a grandparent who states in a written application that he or she has physical custody of the child. Others having physical custody of a minor child may be entitled to obtain certified copies of the birth certificate for that child, but additional documentation may be required.

(5) Certified copies of Acknowledgments of Paternity required under Code of Ala. 1975, § 26-17-22, to be filed by the State Registrar are considered to be restricted in the same manner as birth certificates and may only be issued to those entitled to obtain certified copies of birth certificates.

(6) The informant listed on the death certificate may obtain certified copies of that death certificate.

(7) The executor or administrator of the decedent's estate may obtain certified copies of the decedent's death certificate.

(8) A grandchild who demonstrates entitlement may obtain certified copies of the decedent's death certificate.

(9) Representatives of government agencies may obtain certified copies of any vital record that is needed for the official use of their respective agencies. However, the request for the record must be made in writing and the required fee must be paid.

(10) A person entitled to obtain certified copies of a record under Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-9A-21, and these Rules, may provide a written authorization for another individual to obtain the certified copy for him or her.

(11) The State Registrar may require any applicant for a vital record to provide documentation and/or identification to support that the applicant has a right to the record requested.

(a) Valid identification is required of any applicant requesting a birth certificate less than 125 years from the date of birth

(b) Valid identification is required of any applicant requesting a death certificate less than 25 years from the date of death.

(c) Valid identification is required of any applicant requesting the amendment or creation of a vital record.

(d) The State Registrar shall determine the forms of identification that are acceptable for vital records requests.

(e) The State Registrar may require additional identification when identification presented by an applicant is inadequate, illegible, or otherwise questionable.

(f) The State Registrar may refuse to issue a vital record to an applicant who is unable to provide adequate identification or who submits fraudulent identification.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-7-1-.22

New Rule: Filed June 20, 2007; effective July 25, 2007.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 01, October 31, 2022, eff. 12/15/2022.

Authors: Dorothy Harshbarger, Nicole Henderson Rushing

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-9A-2, 22-9A-21, 26-17-22.