Advance Directive Form

The Advance Directive form in Alabama contains details about an individual’s living will and health care proxy choice. The first section includes information on an individual’s will in the case of terminal illness, permanent loss of consciousness, and additional directions. The second section states that a person has the right to speak for an individual if they are unable to speak for themselves.

This form requires four signatures in total: the individual’s, two witnesses, and healthcare proxies.

How to Order a Death Certificate

The following people are qualified to request death certificates in Alabama:

• Parents of the deceased
• Spouse of the deceased
• Children of the deceased
• Grandchildren of the deceased
• Siblings of the deceased
• A legal representative of the deceased family or estate
• A person stated on the death certificate as one who provided information

The following data is required to obtain a death certificate in Alabama:

• The full legal name of the deceased
• Date and place of death
• Date of birth
• Sex of the deceased
• Social security number
• Race
• Legal names of parents
• The legal name of spouse
• Name of the applicant
• Signature of the applicant
• Applicant’s relationship to the deceased
• Address to mail the certificate
• Phone number of the applicant

The cost of a death certificate including one certified copy in Alabama is $15.00. An additional copy costs $6.00. Cash is not accepted, and the fees are non-refundable.

The certificate request along with all the required information and the fee must be sent to the following address:

Alabama Center for Health Statistics

Alabama Department of Public Health

P.O. Box 5625

Montgomery, AL 36103-5625

Optionally, the certificate can be requested at any county health department in the state of Alabama. Typically, the certificate is issued on the same day.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

The HB 138 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 11, 2017, and became effective on January 1, 2018.

Death With Dignity Legislation or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Currently, Alabama has no legislation regarding death with dignity. Therefore, terminally ill state residents can’t choose to die when they choose. The status of the law can be viewed here.

Organ Donation Registry

Alabama’s organ donation registry can be accessed via this link.

Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Alabama’s POLST form can be found here. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Alabama’s legislation on decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in the following acts:

• 2017 Code of Alabama Title 43 Chapter 2 – Administration of Estates
• 2017 Code of Alabama Title 43 Chapter 8 – Probate Code

Estate and Inheritance Tax Rate

The state of Alabama currently has no estate or inheritance tax imposed. The full information on the state’s estate and inheritance tax can be found here.