City guide · Birmingham, Alabama · Details last checked Oct 31, 2026

Birmingham, Alabama document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Birmingham, Alabama, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Not affiliated, not legal advice. Errand Desk isn't affiliated with the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, the Probate Court of Jefferson County, the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, the Jefferson County Department of Health, the Birmingham Public Library, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Secretary of State, the State of Alabama, USPS, The UPS Store or the U.S. Department of State. This is general information, not legal advice. Prices and hours change; check the linked source before you go.

Short version: The State Department's locator lists 6 passport facilities inside Birmingham city, including the main post office, UAB and two Birmingham Public Library branches ^[1][2]. The library's notary service is free at most branches; call first ^[3][4]. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy at the Jefferson County Department of Health ^[5]. Alabama doesn't issue marriage licenses; you record a marriage certificate form with the probate court, $84.50 in Jefferson County ^[6][7].

Two counties: the Census lists Birmingham city in both Jefferson County and Shelby County ^[8]. The county offices on this page are Jefferson County offices; the Census Geocoder places the courthouse, the Central Library, the Avondale Library and the health department's Guy M. Tate Building inside Birmingham city, in Jefferson County ^[2]. We didn't cover Shelby County's offices. Jefferson County's probate court also has a separate Bessemer Division at 1801 3rd Ave. N., Bessemer ^[7].

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Birmingham Public Library

Printing and copying: the Jefferson County library cooperative's listing gives black-and-white copies at $0.15 at both the Central Library and the Avondale Library, and color copies at $0.25 at Central ^[3]. We didn't find a color price for Avondale.
Fax: at Central and Avondale, $1 for local faxes; long distance is $2 for the first page and $1 for each extra page, to send or receive ^[3].
Central Library: 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203, 205-226-3600 ^[4]. Hours in the cooperative's listing: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, closed Sunday ^[3].
Avondale Library: 509 S. 40th St., Birmingham, AL 35222, (205) 226-4000, same hours as Central in the listing ^[3].

The UPS Store: it lists 6 locations under Birmingham. Its city page says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[9]. We didn't find prices: the store page we checked, for the store at 1116 20th St. S., doesn't list any ^[10], and The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[11]. The Census Geocoder places only 1 of the 6 inside Birmingham city, the store at 1116 20th St. S. It places the others in Homewood, Mountain Brook, Hoover and Pelham, and it didn't match the address of the store at 200 Doug Baker Blvd., Ste. 600 ^[9][2].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Birmingham

Birmingham Public Library: notary service at most branches. Call your branch first to make sure notary staff is there and can notarize your type of document; walk-ins are possible, but staff availability isn't guaranteed ^[4]. The library cooperative's listing says the service is free ^[3]. The passport locator's note for Central says photocopy and notary services are on site ^[1].
The UPS Store: its Birmingham page lists notarizing ^[9]. We didn't find prices.
Becoming a notary in Jefferson County: the probate court's fee list gives $10.00 for a notary application and $52.00 for a notary bond ^[12].
How notaries are commissioned (statewide): in Alabama, notaries apply to and are commissioned by the probate judge of their county, for four-year terms. New and renewal applicants must finish a training program from the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute; attorneys are exempt. The Secretary of State tells applicants to ask their county probate judge about application, bond and fee requirements ^[13]. Act 2023-548 sets a $50,000 bond ^[14].
Fees (statewide law): Act 2023-548 lets a notary charge "a reasonable fee, not to exceed ten dollars ($10), for each notarial act performed." State, county and city employees may not charge for a notarial act done as part of their public job, unless another law allows it ^[14]. The Alabama Department of Public Health says your personal bank "should provide notary services for free" ^[6].
Remote notarization (statewide): since Oct. 1, 2026, Act 2026-536 adds rules for remote notarization; the notary must be physically in Alabama and keep the audio-video recording for seven years ^[13].

Passports in Birmingham

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 9 facilities with a Birmingham address. The Census Geocoder places these 6 inside Birmingham city ^[1][2]:

Facility	Address and phone	Passport hours (locator)	Photos
Birmingham Main Post Office (USPS)	351 24th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-521-7990	Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–3 p.m.	Listed as on site
University of Alabama at Birmingham	1201 University Blvd., Room 126, Birmingham, AL 35294. 205-996-1385	Mon and Thu, Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 11–noon); Tue, Wed 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. (closed 11–noon)	Listed as on site
Birmingham Public Library, Central	2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-226-3705	Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–4 p.m.	Not listed
Avondale Library (Birmingham Public Library)	509 40th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-226-4000	Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–4 p.m.	Listed as on site
Jefferson County Circuit Court	716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Suite 500, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-325-5313	Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	Not listed
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s Office	2124 7th Ave. N., Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-325-5400	Mon–Wed and Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed noon–2); Thu 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	Listed as on site

Post office: the locator says to book an appointment or see more passport times at usps.com/scheduler ^[1].
UAB: by appointment only, online at uabpassports.appointlet.com ^[1].
Avondale Library: the locator says no walk-ins, by appointment only ^[1].
Library sources differ: the Birmingham Public Library says you can apply at three of its branches, Avondale, Central and Springville Road ^[4]. The State Department's locator data lists Avondale and Central but not Springville Road ^[1]. Check with the library before going to Springville Road.
Outside the city: the other 3 locator entries with a Birmingham address are the Hoover Station and Center Point post offices, which the Census Geocoder places in Hoover and Center Point, and the Crestline Heights post office, 3900 Montclair Rd., whose address it didn't match ^[1][2].
Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[15].
Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[15]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[16]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Oct 31, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates (statewide)

Fees (statewide): the Alabama Center for Health Statistics charges $15.00 to search for a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate, including one certified copy (or a "Certificate of Failure to Find"). Extra copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6.00 each. Expediting adds $15.00. Fees aren't refunded ^{[17][18][19][20]}.
In person (statewide): any county health department in Alabama can issue certified copies, and most are issued while you wait ^[21][17].
By mail (statewide): Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625, by check or money order payable to "Center for Health Statistics" (no cash). Allow about 7–10 days ^[17][21].
Online or by phone (statewide): through VitalChek, 1-888-279-9888, with extra fees; the state office doesn't take online requests directly ^[21].
Who can order (statewide): birth certificates are restricted for 125 years and death certificates for 25 years to the people the law lists, such as the person named, parents, spouse, children and siblings. Marriage and divorce certificates are unrestricted ^{[17][18][19][20]}.

Jefferson County Department of Health: birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates at the Guy M. Tate Building (Central Health Center), 1400 Sixth Avenue South, Monday–Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., only at that building. Questions: (205) 930-1106 ^[5].
Fees and rules: $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. You must be 14 or older and bring ID; birth certificates are restricted to immediate family for 125 years, and others need written authorization ^[5]. We didn't find which payment methods it takes.

Marriage certificates (Alabama has no marriage licenses)

No marriage licenses (statewide): since Aug. 29, 2019, Alabama probate courts no longer issue marriage licenses. Instead, the couple completes the Alabama Marriage Certificate form and delivers it to a probate court for recording within 30 days of the later of the two signatures. You can record it in any Alabama county probate court, and each probate court sets its own recording fee ^[6].
Notary (statewide): the form must be notarized by a notary authorized under Alabama law; a form notarized by an out-of-state notary isn't accepted ^[6].
Copies and corrections (statewide): certified copies are $15.00 from the state (see above) or any county health department. Corrections go through the probate court that issued the license or recorded the certificate ^[19].
Probate Court of Jefferson County: after the form is completed and notarized, submit it with the $84.50 filing fee within 30 days. In person the court takes cash, money orders and debit cards; by mail, only a money order ^[7].
Where: Birmingham Division, Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 North Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203, (205) 325-5420, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ^[7].
Copies: $3.00. Copies of Jefferson County marriage certificates from June 1985 on are available at either division; older records only from the office that issued the license ^[7].

Recorded documents (deeds and other land records)

Probate Court of Jefferson County fees (the schedule is marked "Effective 6/1/2012"): $16.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page on most documents, $1.00 for each grantee or grantor beyond two of each, and a $1.00 "No Tax Collected" stamp on deeds, mortgages and leases where no tax is collected. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 and mortgage tax $0.15 per $100, each including any fraction ^[12].
Copies: copies made in the Record Room are $1.00 a page, except plats at $15.00 a page. Certifying a copy as true and correct is an additional $2.00 per document ^[22].
Paying: the recording office accepts credit cards, cash, cashier's checks, money orders, business checks and local personal checks with proper identification. We didn't find a card fee ^[22].

Court records

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division: Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Room 400, (205) 325-5355, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday ^[23][24].
Fees: the clerk's fee pages say they're current as of June 21, 2012. Its district civil fee list gives copies at $5.00 for 1 to 20 pages and $0.50 for each additional page, $10.00 for a certificate of judgment per defendant and $15.00 for an exemplification ^[24]. We didn't find a records search fee.

Apostilles and certifications (statewide)

Fee (statewide): $5.00 per document from the Alabama Secretary of State's Authentication Division. It accepts check or money order payable to the Secretary of State, cash or a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover) ^[25][26].
Which one (statewide): countries in the Hague Convention get an Apostille; other countries get a Certification ^[25].
Whose signature (statewide): an Apostille goes on documents signed and sealed by a currently commissioned Alabama notary, probate judge or the current State Registrar; birth and death certificates must carry the current State Registrar's signature. A Certification goes on documents signed by a probate judge, circuit clerk or the current State Registrar, and a notarized document also needs a county authentication from the probate judge of the county where the notary is commissioned. Federal documents aren't authenticated by the state ^[25].
Where (statewide): mail the submittal form and documents to the Authentication Division, 11 South Union Street, Suite 224, Montgomery, AL 36130, and allow five business days for mail time. Walk-in service is 8:00 to 5:00 Monday–Friday. Phone (334) 242-5325 ^[26].

Jefferson County step: if your notarized document is going to a country that needs a Certification rather than an Apostille, first get a county authentication from the probate judge of the county where the notary is commissioned (statewide rule) ^[25]. We didn't find a Jefferson County price for this.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[27]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

Jefferson County drop-off events (past): the county's 2026 schedule, posted April 24, 2026, listed free paper shredding on Sept. 12, 2026, at Birmingham City Hall/Linn Park, and on Oct. 17, 2026, at Camp Ketona, 121 County Shop Road, Birmingham, and Camp Bessemer. Only regular paper was taken, 5 boxes at most, with no binders, clips or wet paper ^[28]. Both dates have passed, and we didn't find a later 2026 event.
The UPS Store: its Birmingham page lists shredding ^[9]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Where do I get a marriage license in Birmingham?

Alabama stopped issuing marriage licenses on Aug. 29, 2019. You fill out the Alabama Marriage Certificate form, have it notarized by an Alabama notary and record it with a probate court within 30 days (statewide) ^[6]. Jefferson County charges $84.50 to record it ^[7].

Can I get a certified birth certificate in Birmingham?

Yes. The Jefferson County Department of Health's Guy M. Tate Building at 1400 Sixth Avenue South issues them for $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time ^[5].

Where can I apply for a passport in Birmingham?

Inside the city, the locator lists the main post office, UAB, the Central and Avondale libraries and two Jefferson County circuit court offices ^[1][2].

How much can an Alabama notary charge?

Up to $10 for each notarial act under Act 2023-548 (statewide) ^[14]. The library cooperative's listing says Birmingham Public Library notary service is free ^[3].

When is the next free shred day in Birmingham?

We didn't find one. Jefferson County's last listed 2026 shredding event was Oct. 17, 2026, which has passed ^[28].

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 31, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Alabama): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Public Libraries in Jefferson County (Jefferson County Library Cooperative), "Libraries: locations, hours and services": jclc.org/info/libraries.aspx (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Birmingham Public Library, "Library Services": cobpl.org/services (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Jefferson County Department of Health, "Vital Records": jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/Records/VitalRecords.aspx (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, "Marriage FAQs": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-faqs.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, "Marriage Certificates" (read with a web fetch; the site didn’t return the page to our direct download): jeffcoprobatecourt.com/marriage-certificates (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Alabama": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st01_al_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Birmingham, Alabama": locations.theupsstore.com/al/birmingham (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
The UPS Store, "The UPS Store 1116 20th St. S.": locations.theupsstore.com/al/birmingham/1116-20th-street-south (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, "Recording Costs" (read with a web fetch; the site didn’t return the page to our direct download): jeffcoprobatecourt.com/recording/recording-costs (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Secretary of State, "Notaries Public": sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/notaries-public (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Secretary of State, "Act 2023-548 (SB322, enrolled; PDF)": sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/notaries-public/Act%202023-548.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, "Birth Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/birth-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, "Death Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/death-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, "Marriage Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, "Divorce Certificates": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/divorce-certificates.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, "Vital Records": alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/index.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, "Recording: FAQ": jeffcoprobatecourt.com/recording/faq (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division (Alabama Administrative Office of Courts), "Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division": jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division, "Filing Fees (Court Costs)": jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov/filing-fees (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Secretary of State, "Authentications": sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/authentications (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Alabama Secretary of State, "Authentication Submittal Form (PDF)": sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/form-files/AUTHENTICATION%20SUBMITTAL%20FORM.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
Jefferson County, Alabama, "Remaining 2026 Household Drop-Off Events (archived news item)" (read with a web fetch; the site didn’t return the page to our direct download): jccal.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/82 (last checked Oct 31, 2026)

Huntsville, Alabama document errands
Chattanooga, Tennessee document errands
Memphis, Tennessee document errands
Where to get something notarized, and what it costs: banks, credit unions, libraries, AAA, The UPS Store and online notary, plus state fee limits.
US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
Free notary options
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