Alabama schools require a Certificate of Immunization before your child can start school. Alabama is one of the earliest school-start states — many districts begin in early August, which means enrollment paperwork deadlines hit in late July. Here is every form, what's on it, and where to get it — all cited to official Alabama sources.
Last verified: September 8, 2026
The Certificate of Immunization (COI) is the official Alabama school immunization document. Under Alabama Code §16-30-1, no child may attend school without a current COI or an approved exemption on file. Your child's physician or your county health department issues the COI after verifying the immunization record.
Required vaccines on the Alabama COI (K–12):
7th grade: A Tdap booster is required at or before entry to 7th grade.
Alabama maintains the Alabama Immunization Registry (AIR), which records doses administered by participating providers across the state. If your child has received vaccines from multiple providers or clinics, AIR may have the complete picture. Parents and guardians can request an AIR printout through:
An AIR printout shows every dose on file — useful if records have been split across multiple providers, or if you've moved from another county. Note: out-of-state doses may not be in AIR unless they were reported by a participating provider; bring paper documentation from prior states to the pediatrician appointment.
(Source: Alabama Department of Public Health — Immunization Division, accessed Aug 30, 2026)
Alabama is one of the earliest school-start states in the country. Many Alabama school districts begin classes in early August — some as early as the first week of August. This means enrollment health form deadlines often fall in mid-to-late July. If your child is starting kindergarten, transferring schools, or entering 7th grade, the window to complete the COI is shorter than in most other states.
Alabama does not mandate a physician-signed physical examination at the state level for K–12 school enrollment (unlike Massachusetts or California). The COI and immunization documentation are the primary requirement. However, individual school districts may request a physical exam for sports participation or other programs — confirm directly with your school.
Contact your school district directly. Many Alabama districts start in early August, with health form submission deadlines in late July. Don't assume you have until August.
Call your pediatrician or county health department to pull your child's Alabama Immunization Registry record. This confirms what's already on file and flags any missing doses before the appointment.
Your pediatrician will complete and sign the Certificate of Immunization. If any doses are missing, they can administer them at the same visit. Book early — August appointments fill up fast in Alabama's early-start districts.
Turn in the signed COI to the school office before the first day. Keep your own copy — you'll need it next year, and if your family ever moves to another state, the COI documents what was current in Alabama.
Alabama's COI needs to be updated every time your child's immunization record changes — a new Tdap at 7th grade, a catch-up dose, a booster. Family Stork keeps the complete record organized so you always know what's on file and what's coming next.
Give any Alabama clinic your child's private @families.familystork.com address. Every visit summary and vaccine record they send files itself on the timeline. $99/year, or about $10/month. Start your child's record free →
Alabama recognizes medical and religious exemptions from school immunization requirements under Alabama Code §16-30-3. Medical exemptions require certification from a licensed physician. Religious exemptions require a written statement from the parent or guardian. Alabama does not recognize a philosophical or personal belief exemption. For current exemption forms and processes, contact your county health department or the Alabama Department of Public Health — Immunization Division.
Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.
Looking for a single place to keep your family's entire health story? Family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.
Exploring alternatives to juggling multiple portals? Best MyChart alternatives for families.
Give any Alabama clinic your child's private @familystork address. They send records; the timeline builds itself. No portal logins, no uploads, nothing for the clinic to learn.
Start your child's record — free