How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Alabama?

You get a copy of your Alabama adoption order from the clerk of the Probate Court in the county where your adoption was finalized. Ask for certified copies, which are the official, court-stamped versions that agencies and schools will accept.

Right after finalization:

• Ask the Probate Court clerk for certified copies of the signed Order of Adoption before you leave the courthouse.
• Whether copies are handed to you the same day or mailed depends on the county, so ask the clerk how long it will take.
• Alabama has 67 counties, and each Probate Court runs its own office, so procedures and fees can differ.

How many copies to request: Get more than you think you need. Certified copies are often required in place of photocopies, and several offices may want to keep one. Common uses include:

• Requesting an updated birth certificate from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics
• Adding your child to health insurance
• Updating school records
• Applying for a passport
• Keeping with your own family records

The Probate Court clerk can tell you the fee for each certified copy and how many you can request at once. Fees are set locally, so ask before you go.

If you need copies later: You can go back to the same Probate Court at any time. Contact the clerk's office and be ready with:

• The child's name and the names of the adoptive parents
• The case number, if you have it
• The approximate date the adoption was finalized
• Payment for the copy and certification fee

The clerk can confirm whether they accept requests by mail, in person, or both, and how long processing takes.

Next steps once you have the order:

• Contact the Alabama Center for Health Statistics and ask what they need from you to update the child's birth record. Ask about their forms, fees and processing time.
• Send certified copies to your insurance company, your child's school, and any other agency that needs proof of the adoption.
• Store the original certified copy in a safe place with other vital documents, such as a fireproof box, and use extra copies for day-to-day needs.

Keep in mind: If you are still in the middle of your case, the order is issued only once the Probate Court finishes the adoption. A stepparent adoption in Alabama typically takes about 3-6 months from start to finish. If your situation involves a contested case, an unknown parent, or an old adoption where you can't find the case number, the clerk's office or an attorney can advise you on that specific issue.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your Alabama county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. Our price is $349 for the first child (or one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child, and your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We have helped 811 Alabama families, and our service comes with a 100% court acceptance guarantee.