Death Certificate Corrections/Changes

Corrections or changes to a death certificate may be made in several ways. Since a death certificate is a legal document, appropriate legal requirements must be met to make the correction or change. General information is given below, but it is best to call the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2641 for additional information. Please note, only the medical certifier who signed the death certificate may make corrections to the Medical Certification portion of the death certificate.

Identification Requirements

Identification will be required to obtain a restricted death certificate. View ID Requirements for more information.  

I. Changing/Correcting Personal/Demographic Information on a Death Certificate

Personal/demographic information may be corrected through the amendment process by the funeral home, informant, an immediate family member listed on the record or others with an appropriate legal interest. Legal documentation or court action may be required to process the corrections requested. Please note, the original information on the death certificate will not be changed. The amendment will be made in the form of an affidavit attached to the original death certificate indicating the items which were corrected.

You may request corrections to a death certificate by completing an application and indicating the changes to be made to the death certificate. This form is also available in Spanish.

• Application to Change an Alabama Birth or Death Certificate
• Paquete de enmiendas para certificados de nacimiento y defunción de Alabama

Mail the completed application with the required amendment fee of $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the record. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6.00 each. There is an additional fee of $15.00 to expedite a request. Make check or money order payable to "Center for Health Statistics." Please do not send cash. Fees are not returnable. Send to:

Center for Health Statistics
Attn: Death Amendments
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

Since complex legal issues may be involved with the amendment of some items, call the Death Amendment Clerk at (334) 206-2641 for more information.

II. Changing/Correcting Medical Information; the Date of Death/Pronouncement; and/or Time of Death/Pronouncement on a Death Certificate

Only the medical certifier who signed the death certificate may make corrections/changes to medical information on a death certificate. There is no fee to make corrections/changes to medical information on a death certificate for the medical certifier.  The medical certifier should contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2641 for information on making any changes.

A. Changing a Cause of Death from "Pending"

When the certifier receives an autopsy report, he/she should complete a Supplemental Medical Certification.

B. Changing Information on a Cause of Death or Other Changes to the Medical Certification Section 

The certifier may make changes or corrections to a medical certification section of the death certificate by completing a Supplemental Medical Certification.

1. Completing a Supplemental Medical Certification

In most cases when the death certificate was filed through the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS), the certifier may be able to complete an electronic Supplemental Medical Certification through EDRS. If the certifier needs to complete a paper Supplemental Medical Certification, he/she should contact the Center for Health Statistics at (334) 206-2641 to request a Supplemental Medical Certification Request Form (HS-90) or email a request to [email protected]. When the Supplemental Medical Certification Request Form has been completed, send to:

Center for Health Statistics
Attn: Death Amendments
P. O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625

2. Changing a Date of Death/Pronouncement and/or Time of Death/Pronouncement

The certifier must submit a signed and dated business letter providing sufficient information to locate the death certificate and the specific changes which should be made to the death certificate.

Questions

Any questions concerning changes/corrections to information on a death certificate should be referred to (334) 206-2641.