Adoption Information

Notice of Fee Increase for Alabama Vital Records  on October 1, 2009.

New Birth Certificates After Adoption or Other Legal Action

Alabama law directs the State Registrar to establish a new birth certificate after an adoption, legitimation or paternity determination takes place. The new birth certificate is substituted for the original birth certificate in the files, and the original birth certificate and evidence of adoption, legitimation, or paternity determination are placed in a "sealed file."

Original Birth Information Available to Adoptee

In 2000, the Alabama legislature amended the vital records law to allow an adult adoptee or other person whose original birth certificate was placed in a "sealed file" to obtain a non-certified copy of that record and any other documents in the "sealed file."

Parents Can State Their Preference for Contact

The 2000 revision to the vital records law also allows a birth parent to place information in the "sealed file" of the child who was adopted. The birth parent may state his or her wishes regarding being contacted and may provide medical history information. Note: If an adoptee wishes to obtain his or her current legal birth certificate, follow the procedures on the Birth Certificate page.

For more information view the following three pages or call (334) 206-5426.

• Adoptee Seeking Original Birth Information
• Birth Parent of Adopted Child
• Adopting Parent or Legal Representative Requesting New Birth Certificate Following Recent Adoption

Questions

If you have questions or would like information, please call (334) 206-5426.