Athens public health help for WIC, records, vaccines, family planning and environmental services
Limestone County’s health department on Clyde Mabry Drive handles a lot more than shots. Families use it for WIC, birth and death certificates, STD and TB services, family planning, children’s vaccines, breast and cervical cancer screening, septic permits, restaurant inspections, private-well testing and Home Health.
If you’re coming in from Athens, East Limestone, Tanner, Elkmont, Ardmore, Lester or another part of the county, the practical move is to identify the program first and call before driving over. Appointment rules, clinic availability and environmental paperwork can differ by service.
What does the Limestone County Health Department do?
The Limestone County Health Department is the Alabama Department of Public Health county office serving Limestone County. Its local services cover public-health clinics, WIC, vital records, environmental health, home healthcare, communicable-disease services and social-work coordination.
Family planning, STD testing and treatment, TB testing and treatment, women’s health, lab testing, childhood immunizations and selected seasonal vaccinations.
WIC certification and nutrition counseling, Medicaid-related application assistance, certified Alabama vital records and breast/cervical cancer screening programs.
Septic and onsite sewage permits, food inspections, pools, hotels, camps, well-water testing, rabies response, nuisance complaints and related environmental permits.
Limestone County Health Department phone, address and hours
| Service | Phone / address | What to use it for | Local note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Department / Environmental | 256-232-3200 | Clinic services, WIC, vital records, septic, food, well, rabies and general routing | Best first call when you are unsure which local program handles the issue. |
| Main office | 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens, AL 35611 | In-person county public-health services | Confirm the service and documents before making the drive. |
| Fax | 256-232-6632 | Documents only when department staff tell you to fax them | Do not fax private information without confirming the correct program. |
| Home Health | 256-230-0434 or 1-888-401-8827 | Physician-ordered home healthcare questions | Separate eligibility rules apply. |
| Remote Patient Monitoring | 256-301-6720 | Program information for qualifying chronic-condition Medicaid patients | A PCP order is required. |
| WIC statewide help | 1-888-942-4673 | WIC eligibility and clinic information | Local certification still goes through the appropriate WIC clinic. |
Family planning, women’s health, STD care and TB services
The Limestone County services page lists a substantial clinic program. This is not a full-service emergency department or general physician practice, but it does provide several core public-health clinical services.
Services include counseling and birth-control support. Alabama’s statewide Family Planning program also provides contraceptive education, physical exams, HIV/STD testing, preconception counseling and referrals where appropriate.
Limestone lists Pap smear services and participation in the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Screening eligibility depends on program rules.
The county lists STD testing, treatment, counseling and partner notification. Call before visiting to confirm clinic timing and what identification or payment information is needed.
Tuberculosis testing and treatment are included on the Limestone service list. Testing may require a return visit or additional evaluation depending on the method used.
Clinical laboratory testing is listed among the county services. Availability depends on the clinic program and reason for testing.
The county specifically lists income-based fees for clinical services. Ask what income documentation, insurance information or program eligibility proof applies to your visit.
Limestone County WIC eligibility, documents and 2026 income limits
WIC supports eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants and children under age five. Benefits include supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other health and social services.
You must be an Alabama resident. Bring a document showing your current street address, such as a lease, utility bill or another accepted proof.
Bring identification for the parent or caretaker and for each person applying for WIC. ADPH examples include a driver’s license, birth certificate or hospital birth card.
Bring proof of Medicaid, SNAP or Family Assistance enrollment, or current household income information for everyone who worked during the previous month.
Current Alabama WIC gross-income examples
The following figures are effective from June 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and represent 185% of the federal poverty level. These are screening figures, not automatic approval.
| Household size | Annual gross limit | Monthly gross limit | Weekly gross limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $568 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $770 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $972 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $1,175 |
Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates in Athens
Limestone County Health Department can serve as a local route for certified Alabama birth, death, marriage and divorce records. That is different from obtaining a hospital chart, doctor’s notes or laboratory records.
Alabama currently lists a $15 search fee that includes one certified copy or a Certificate of Failure to Find. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6 each.
Alabama uses VitalChek as its outside online/telephone ordering provider. VitalChek charges additional processing and, when selected, shipping fees.
Know whether you need a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate. The information required on the application differs by record type.
Alabama birth certificates are restricted for 125 years. The person on the record and certain close family members or legal representatives can obtain qualifying records with proper identification.
A restricted record request requires acceptable identification. Call the office if you are unsure whether your ID or relationship documentation will be accepted.
Most standard Alabama records may be requested at a county health department, from the Center for Health Statistics by mail, or through the authorized online vendor.
If you need treatment notes, imaging, lab results or hospital records, contact the healthcare provider that treated you rather than Vital Records.
Childhood vaccines, flu shots and Alabama immunization records
Limestone County’s official service list includes Vaccines for Children immunizations, flu vaccines for people age six months and older, including high-dose flu vaccine for people 65 and older, plus COVID testing and vaccination services.
VFC vaccine is available through participating providers for eligible children from birth through age 18 who are Medicaid enrolled, uninsured, American Indian or Alaska Native, or meet specific underinsured rules.
Bring the child’s existing vaccine record, insurance or Medicaid information and parent/guardian identification. Call first to confirm the needed vaccine is available.
ADPH advises contacting the last immunization provider or asking a current provider to check Alabama’s ImmPRINT immunization registry.
STD testing, TB care and confidential services
STD testing and treatment, counseling and partner notification are specifically listed by Limestone County. TB testing and treatment are also part of the county clinic program.
Alabama’s Family Planning program states that family-planning services are confidential and offered regardless of income, with free or reduced-cost care potentially available. That does not mean every Limestone clinic visit is free; the county separately lists income-based fees.
Environmental Health covers more than restaurant inspections
For a rural lot, septic repair, private well, restaurant, hotel, pool, camp or animal-bite issue, ask the main office for the Environmental Office. The Environmental team handles a broad list of property and business functions.
Food-service inspections, food-permit oversight and public complaint investigation are part of the county environmental program.
Applications and permits cover small and large flow development, onsite sewage systems, repairs, septic tanks, grease traps and holding tanks.
The county lists private well-water testing among its Environmental Health services.
Environmental Health inspects hotels, pools and camps under applicable Alabama public-health rules.
Rabies testing and bite management plus vector-control information are included on the official county service list.
Public-health nuisance investigations and certain solid-waste and garbage-exemption issues are handled through Environmental Health.
Before installing or repairing a septic system in Limestone County
Alabama law requires owners of property that is not connected to public sanitary sewer to obtain local health-department approval before installing a new onsite sewage system or repairing an existing regulated system.
Do not wait until the foundation is going in. Site suitability and sewage-system design can affect where a home, driveway, well or replacement field can be placed.
Depending on the system, a registered engineer, land surveyor, professional soil classifier or other qualified professional may need to evaluate the site.
ADPH maintains separate applications for small-flow systems, larger developments, repairs and related onsite sewage work. Call Limestone Environmental Health to confirm which form applies.
A homeowner or business should not treat a soil test or contractor estimate as the health department permit. The permit comes after the required review and approval.
For regulated installation or repair work, follow the health department’s inspection process before the system is covered or placed into service.
Restaurant permits, inspection scores and complaints
Alabama county health departments permit and inspect restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and other regulated food facilities. Any facility selling food generally needs a current food-service permit from the local county health department.
| Inspection score | General ADPH meaning | What may happen next |
|---|---|---|
| 85-100 | Satisfactory compliance range | Routine inspection schedule |
| 70-84 | Below routine compliance threshold | Follow-up inspection within 60 days |
| 60-69 | Serious deficiencies | Follow-up and reinspection within 48 hours |
| Below 60 | Unsatisfactory condition | Immediate closure under ADPH scoring rules |
Contact Environmental Health before construction, remodeling or opening. Plan review, equipment, plumbing and permit requirements can affect the timeline.
Call 256-232-3200 and ask for the Environmental Office. Have the establishment name, exact location, date and a clear description of the concern.
Home Health services for qualifying Limestone County residents
Limestone County operates a Home Care program for people who need physician-ordered skilled care at home. This is different from hiring a private nonmedical caregiver.
Eligibility depends on medical need and insurance/reimbursement rules. The program serves qualifying homebound Medicare, Medicaid and commercial-insurance recipients.
A physician’s order is required for all Home Health services.
Skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech-language pathology when available, occupational therapy when available, medical social work and home-health aide services.
The program also lists support for conditions and needs such as post-surgery care, heart failure, COPD, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, wound care, pediatric care, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and medication teaching or management.
Remote Patient Monitoring for certain Medicaid patients
Limestone County also participates in an in-home Remote Patient Monitoring program that combines ADPH Home Health, Alabama Medicaid and University of South Alabama resources.
According to the county program page, full-Medicaid patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes and/or hypertension may qualify. The patient’s primary care provider determines whether daily monitoring is needed and must provide the admission orders.
What to bring to the Clyde Mabry Drive office
Official Limestone County and Alabama public-health resources
Use the official pages before paying a certificate fee, scheduling WIC, beginning septic work, relying on vaccine availability or assuming a clinical service is available that day.
Limestone County Health Department FAQs
What is the Limestone County Health Department phone number?
The main Limestone County Health Department and Environmental Services phone number is 256-232-3200.
Where is Limestone County Health Department located?
The office is at 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens, Alabama 35611.
What are Limestone County Health Department hours?
The official Limestone County page lists operating hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Federal clinic information lists Monday through Friday. Call first for clinic-specific appointments and holiday closures.
Does Limestone County Health Department offer WIC?
Yes. Limestone County lists WIC application, benefit issuance and nutrition counseling among its clinical services. Call 256-232-3200 or Alabama WIC at 1-888-942-4673.
What do I need for an Alabama WIC appointment?
Bring the person applying for WIC, identification for the applicant and parent or caretaker, proof of Alabama residence, and Medicaid/SNAP/Family Assistance documentation or current household income information.
Can I get a birth certificate at Limestone County Health Department?
Yes. Certified Alabama birth, death, marriage and divorce records can be obtained through the county health department subject to state access rules. The current standard birth-certificate search fee is $15 and includes one certified copy; additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6 each.
Does Limestone County Health Department provide vaccines?
Yes. The official county service page lists Vaccines for Children immunizations, influenza vaccines for people six months and older, high-dose influenza vaccine for adults 65 and older, and COVID testing and vaccination services. Call for current availability.
Does Limestone County Health Department offer STD testing?
Yes. The county specifically lists STD testing, treatment, counseling and partner notification among its clinical services.
Does the health department test for tuberculosis?
Yes. Limestone County lists tuberculosis testing and treatment among its clinical services. Call the department to confirm clinic timing and whether a return visit is needed.
Who handles septic permits in Limestone County Alabama?
Limestone County Health Department Environmental Services handles onsite sewage applications and permits, including septic systems, repairs, grease traps, holding tanks and small or large-flow developments. Call 256-232-3200 and ask for Environmental Health before starting work.
Can I request information about an existing septic system?
Yes. ADPH says property owners or their agents may contact the local health department for existing septic-system information. Other public-record requests may use the state’s records-request process.
Who inspects restaurants in Limestone County?
Environmental Health staff at the county health department handle food-service inspections and related public-health enforcement. Alabama also provides a statewide searchable Food Establishment Scores database.
Does Limestone County Health Department provide Home Health?
Yes. The Home Care Program provides qualifying physician-ordered services such as skilled nursing, physical therapy, certain other therapies, medical social services and home-health aide care. Call 256-230-0434 or 1-888-401-8827.
Can I schedule an appointment by email?
No. The official Limestone County contact page says appointments are not scheduled through email. Call the department instead and avoid emailing sensitive personal or financial information.