Escambia County was one of the last ones to be founded in Alabama, which was in 1868. It wasn't until 1908 that the state made it mandatory that each county maintain a consistent collection of birth and death records. So you should have no difficulty getting records from after 1908 but the collection may be sporadic from 1868 until then.

Escambia County public records can be ordered for a fee from the local health department office in Brewton. They issue certified copies that can be used as legal pieces of identification when necessary. The request forms are available at the Alabama Department of Public Health website, or right at the health office. If you are in Brewton, the office is open standard business hours and you can have your Escambia County public records back while you wait. Otherwise, you can mail in the forms and fee, and have a 1 to 2 week wait time.

The forms will require typical identifying details, such as names, dates and locations so they can find the exact Escambia County public record you are looking for. Also, if you pay your fee by check or money order, it should be made out to the State Board of Health.

Escambia County Birth Records

You won't be able to make a request for most Escambia County birth records that are more recent than 125 years old. These are restricted to family members only, and only immediate family members at that. You are also allowed to make a request for your own birth record if you need it. You'll need to show ID at the counter. The fee for each copy is $15, and $6 each for any additional copies that you order at the same time.

Escambia County Death Records

The cost for an Escambia County death record is the same, but the limitations for "family only" requests ends at 25 years rather than 125. After 25 years, they are public domain. You can still order them through the health department office if you need a certified copy but the library and State Archives also has access to these records at no cost.

Escambia County Marriage Records

Marriage records are the only ones listed here with no legal restrictions at all on who can request copies of. You can make a request for a certified copy of an Escambia County marriage record for the same cost as the others, also at the health department. The state began collecting marriage registrations in 1936, and divorce records in 1950. Even so, the county usually has older material as well.

Escambia County Criminal Records

Escambia County criminal records are not like other vital records, and they are not maintained in the same way. These are state documents, and you will have to make a request through the state agency that maintains them which is the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. The records are highly confidential and unless you are an employer making a background check, you are only allowed to request your own personal history. The cost per inquiry is $25.