Data are from certificates and reports filed with the Center for Health Statistics (CHS) in the Alabama Department of Public Health according to Alabama Vital Statistics Laws. The State Registrar of Vital Records enforces the laws and administers the system of vital statistics. Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates and fetal death and induced termination of pregnancy reports provide most of the information reported or tabulated. The statewide data for Alabama are also sent to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for inclusion in national reports and tabulations.
The judge of probate in each county in Alabama issues a marriage license containing information obtained from the parties who intend to be married. After the marriage ceremony has taken place, the person who performs the marriage certifies the fact of marriage and returns the record to the judge of probate who forwards it to the CHS. Marriage data are believed to be nearly 100 percent complete since a license is needed prior to the ceremony being performed.
Sources and Completeness of:
Induced Terminations of Pregnancy Data