Public Records Request

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, originally the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, was created in 2000. The department’s records are limited to those related to the programs of the department including First Class Pre-K, First Teacher Home Visiting, and other early childhood programs as deemed by the Code of Alabama. If you are searching for birth records, please contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. If you are searching for K-12 education records, please contact the Alabama Department of Education.

Requests for public records will be responded to as quickly as possible, following the rules set by state law. The public records coordinator will acknowledge requests within two business days of submission.

The nature and complexity of the records request will dictate the time it takes to respond. Requests that are unclear, hard to retrieve, or need extra steps to protect sensitive info may take longer to process.

State law allows for the charging of reasonable fees for the processing of public records requests. Fees for this department are $20 per hour of staff time required to meet the request. Before we begin processing your request, we’ll inform you about the estimated charges. Once any required payment is received, we will begin preparing the requested information and fulfill the request within the specified timeframe outlined in the chart below.

Submit Public Records Request

You may contact us at public.records@ece.alabama.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Seeks one or more clearly identified documents.

The agency determines it would take less than 8 hours of staff time to process, including redaction of legally protected information.

A standard request should require no, or minimal, clarification by the requester.

The requester must complete the appropriate form on the website.

The ADECE may charge $20 per hour of staff time to fulfill the request.

The ADECE will notify the requester in advance and receive the fees before providing the documents.

The agency will acknowledge receipt within 2 business days.

The agency will be ready to provide a substantive response 15 business days after any required payment is received.

The agency may extend this time, in 15- business-day increments, by giving written notice to the requester.

The agency determines it would take more than 8 hours of staff time to process, including redaction of legally protected information.

The request form must be completed by the requester on the website.

The ADECE is required to charge $20 per hour of staff time to fulfill the request.

The ADECE will notify the requester in advance of likely fees associated with the request.

Before providing a substantive response, the agency must notify the requester and receive payment from the requester.

The agency will acknowledge receipt within 2 business days.

Within 15 business days, the agency will allow the requester to submit a new request.

Within 45 business days, the agency will be ready to provide a substantive response after any required payment is received.

The agency may extend the response timeline, in 45-business- day increments, by giving written notice to the requester.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions