Short answer

To prove you are the next of kin and to be appointed administrator of a reopened estate in Alabama you will typically need: a certified death certificate, documentary proof of your relationship to the decedent (birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers), any prior probate paperwork (letters of administration or a prior order), a proposed petition to reopen the estate, sworn affidavits of heirship or heirship forms, government photo ID, and sometimes a surety bond. The probate court will also require notice to interested persons and may require other proof depending on complexity (e.g., DNA or genealogical evidence for distant relatives).

Detailed answer — what the probate court wants and why

1. Basic statutory framework (where to look)

Alabama handles wills, administration, and probate under state statute and local probate court rules. For general text and searchable Alabama statutes, see the Alabama Code online: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/alacode/. For practical court procedures, also check your local probate court’s website or the Alabama Judicial System: https://judicial.alabama.gov/.

2. Who is “next of kin” in Alabama (priority for administration)

When someone dies without a valid will (intestate), Alabama law and the probate court determine heirs according to statutory priority. In practice, the typical priority is:

• Surviving spouse (often highest priority for appointment).
• Children (including legally adopted children).
• Parents of the decedent.
• Siblings and their descendants.
• More distant relatives (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) if no closer relatives exist.

The court looks for the person best positioned under the law to administer the estate; that person is usually the surviving spouse or the closest priority heir.

3. Typical documents you must bring to prove kinship and qualify as administrator

You should gather original or certified copies of the following before you file a petition to reopen the estate.

• Certified death certificate of the decedent (required by the court to open or reopen probate).
• Proof of relationship to the decedent: certified birth certificates, certified marriage certificate (if claiming spouse), adoption decree (if applicable), and any court orders establishing parentage.
• Photo identification for the petitioner (state ID or passport).
• Prior probate case documents (if the estate opened previously): letters of administration, prior orders, final accounting, or the probate file number. If the estate was closed, bring the order that closed it.
• Affidavit of heirship or heirship form signed by disinterested witnesses or by other heirs. Alabama probate courts often accept sworn affidavits describing family relationships when birth records are missing.
• Proposed Petition to Reopen and Petition for Letters of Administration (prepared according to local court form or practice). The petition explains why reopening is necessary (e.g., newly discovered assets, creditor claims, clerical error).
• Inventory or list of discovered assets that justify reopening (bank accounts, real estate, insurance proceeds, etc.).
• Proof of service or notice to other heirs and interested parties — the court will require notice consistent with Alabama probate procedure.
• Bond or surety if required by the court — many probate courts require an administrator to post a bond (amount often tied to the estate’s value) unless waived by heirs or a will; bring paperwork or the means to obtain a bond.
• Additional proof for unusual situations — if you claim as a distant relative or if records conflict, bring additional genealogical proof, court judgments establishing adoption or paternity, or (rarely) DNA evidence if accepted by the court.

4. How reopening an estate typically works in Alabama

1. File a petition explaining why the estate must be reopened (e.g., assets discovered, fraud corrected, excess funds). Attach your kinship proof, proposed inventory, and a proposed order appointing an administrator.
2. Provide the court with names and addresses of all heirs and interested persons so the court can issue notice and allow objections.
3. The court will set a hearing. At the hearing the judge will review your proofs (relationship, identity, prior probate file) and determine whether to reopen the estate and appoint you as administrator.
4. If appointed, the court will issue letters of administration (often a certified document) and set bond or other conditions. You then have the same duties as any personal representative: notify creditors, marshal and manage assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute assets according to law or court order.

5. Common evidentiary issues and how to handle them

• If vital records are missing (e.g., older births not in the state registry), use sworn affidavits of persons with direct knowledge and supporting documents (church, school, military records).
• If someone else claims priority, the court may require contested-heir litigation — bring all available primary documents and proof of continuous family relationships.
• If the prior administrator was appointed but never closed the estate, the court may appoint the successor administrator under statutory rules; be prepared to show why a successor is needed (death, resignation, incapacity of prior administrator).

6. Practical examples (hypothetical)

Example A — Decedent died intestate, survived by spouse and one child. The spouse wants to reopen the estate because a bank located a forgotten account. The spouse presents the death certificate, marriage certificate, photo ID, bank documentation of the account, and files a petition to reopen and for letters of administration. The court reopens the estate, appoints spouse as administrator, and requires a bond unless the child waives it.

Example B — Decedent died without a will and lived estranged from family. A niece seeking appointment must show certified birth certificate linking her to the decedent (or an affidavit of heirship), locate the prior probate file (showing the estate was closed), and explain why reopening is necessary (e.g., an insurance check payable to the estate). The court may require broader notice and more documentary proof of kinship for a more distant heir.

7. What the court cannot (usually) accept alone

• Unsigned or uncertified photocopies of vital records without sworn affidavits.
• Only informal statements from bank employees — courts prefer certified records or written statements admissible at hearing.

Helpful Hints

• Contact the local probate court clerk first: ask for the probate file number, the court’s forms, and local filing fees. Many clerks provide checklists for reopening an estate.
• Order certified vital records early — Alabama Vital Records can take time to process. If records are unavailable, ask the clerk about acceptable affidavits of heirship.
• Collect documentary proof of assets before filing so your petition explains the need to reopen (banks, real estate records, policy numbers).
• Notify all likely heirs and potential creditors promptly; courts require notice and may deny petitions that do not show proper notice.
• Be prepared to post a bond or secure a waiver in writing from other heirs to avoid the bond requirement.
• If the case looks contested or complex (disputed heirship, missing records, potential creditor claims), consult an Alabama probate attorney to draft the petition and represent you at hearing.
• Keep organized originals and multiple certified copies of any document the court will accept — the court often needs certified copies for the probate file and for banks or title companies.