The number of marriages falling apart in the US is quite appalling. Over the years, the divorce rate has increased considerably. Studies have revealed that the Southern and the Midwest regions record the maximum number of divorce cases. Not surprisingly, Alabama, which is a southern state, records one of the maximum numbers of failed marriages. Each divorce applied for and granted is recorded and stored, and the files are regularly updated at the Centre for Health Statistics; the center started documenting divorces in 1950. Records of divorce cases that were filed before this date can be found in the county from where the divorce was obtained.
As these records are in the public domain, you can apply for information by paying a certain amount of money as fees for the service asked for. You might want to use the record for the purpose of verification of your potential partner's past relationships. This would prevent you from getting married to the wrong person. Divorce records can help in establishing whether a person is legally divorced or not.
Divorce records are in the public domain. Authorities that maintain these records are thus obliged to share the information with you, when you place a request. Although it might not be possible for you to obtain the divorce decree due to privacy reasons (the person in question has the right to privacy), but you can certainly find out if the divorce was granted or not. You can also know about the county from where the divorce the granted.
You will need to approach the county from where the divorce was issued, but if you do not know the exact county, you may contact the following office:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
(334) 206-5418
Fax: (334) 262-9563
Thereafter, you will be directed to the appropriate county. This is a chargeable service, and it may cost you $12.00 for all searches after January 1950.
It is necessary to get some information before you search for divorce records. This is important because you will need to provide this. You should know the name of at least one person who got the divorce (including the nickname if any), and make sure that you know the correct spelling of the name.
Some other information you need to provide when applying for the Alabama divorce records are as follows:
Name of the person (husband and wife or at least one of them)
You can get the record you need by approaching a private website as well, apart from applying directly to the authorities. The authorities will charge less, but you may get the record you want quickly if you approach a private website.
If you wish to obtain copies of Alabama divorce decrees, utilize the instructions below:
Step 1.
Download and fill out the Alabama Vital Event form.
Step 2.
Complete the applicant section of the form with your information, and complete the Divorce/Divorce section utilizing as much information as have, including full name of husband, maiden name of wife name, divorce date, and county of divorce. This will minimize the turnaround time of your request.
Step 3.
Take the completed form, along with a fee of $15.00 in the form of check or money order, to any county health department in Alabama.
If you need additional information, contact the office whose information is below:
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5626
(334) 206-5418
How to Retrieve Alabama Divorce Records
Alabama divorce records have been kept at the Alabama Center for Health Statistics since 1950. One may obtain divorce records prior to 1950 through the circuit court where the divorce was granted
Can You Order Alabama Divorce Records Online?
Alabama does not process online divorce record requests. However, one can obtain Alabama divorce records through a service called VitalCheck
Information Needed to Obtain Alabama Divorce Records
Alabama law does not restrict access to divorce records since they are not confidential. Any requester may obtain a divorce record by presenting the proper fee, along with a form containing the full name of the husband and wife, maiden name of wife, county where divorce was granted, and date of divorce, along with your name, address, phone number, and signature
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