Alabama public records
Start with the Alabama agency or county that holds the record. The Secretary of State provides business filings, county assessment offices provide property data, and court clerks provide case documents. A public-records request is useful for agency files that are not already published.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsAlabama Judicial System | Use the judiciary's court links to identify the trial clerk or appellate search. | Online services and document copies have separate charges. An appellate search does not cover every county trial file; ask the filing clerk for missing documents. |
| Property and land recordsAlabama Department of Revenue / county offices | Choose the county's assessment office for parcel and valuation records. | County copy and certification fees vary. Assessment data is not a deed or title report; recorded instruments belong with the county probate office. |
| Business recordsAlabama Secretary of State | Search filed business entities by name or entity number. | Search access and certified-copy orders are separate services. Entity filings describe registration, not professional licensing or a guarantee of business legitimacy. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceAlabama Department of Public Health | Follow the birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering instructions. | Certificate search and copy fees apply. Access restrictions depend on record type and age; a divorce certificate is not the complete court decree. |
| Criminal-history checksAlabama Law Enforcement Agency | Select the personal record-review or authorized criminal-history procedure. | Record checks and fingerprint services may carry fees. ALEA access rules differ from public court searches; a personal review is not an unrestricted statewide people search. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Alabama
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Alabama's request process is for Alabama citizens. Check the receiving agency's proof-of-residency and identification requirements.
- How to submit
- Identify the Alabama agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The current process distinguishes acknowledgement from production and standard from time-intensive requests. Ask the agency to identify the applicable category and response schedule in its acknowledgement.
- Fees and estimates
- Reasonable retrieval and copying charges may apply. Ask for the written estimate and payment instructions before authorizing a large search.
- If access is denied
- Request the reason for withholding in writing and ask for non-exempt portions. Preserve the request and response when considering judicial enforcement.
Alabama records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Alabama public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Records Law (Ala. Code § 36-12-40), I request electronic copies of the county's final road-maintenance contract and invoices for [project] between [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Alabama public records FAQ
Where can I find Alabama court records?
Use the judiciary's court links to identify the trial clerk or appellate search. An appellate search does not cover every county trial file; ask the filing clerk for missing documents.
Sources: Alabama Judicial SystemAre Alabama public records free?
Reasonable retrieval and copying charges may apply. Ask for the written estimate and payment instructions before authorizing a large search. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Alabama official public-records guidance; Alabama Judicial System; Alabama Department of Public HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Alabama?
Follow the birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering instructions. Access restrictions depend on record type and age; a divorce certificate is not the complete court decree.
Sources: Alabama Department of Public Health; Alabama Judicial SystemIs a Alabama court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. ALEA access rules differ from public court searches; a personal review is not an unrestricted statewide people search. Select the personal record-review or authorized criminal-history procedure.
Sources: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; Alabama Judicial SystemSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Alabama official public-records guidance — checked
- Alabama Judicial System — checked
- Alabama Department of Revenue / county offices — checked
- Alabama Secretary of State — checked
- Alabama Department of Public Health — checked
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions