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Alabama Public Records

Alabama started keeping records in the early 1900s for all 67 counties. Over the last 30 years, most public records have gone digital. However, some paper documents still exist.

The State of Alabama’s Public Records Law gives United States citizens the ability to request public records straightforwardly and efficiently. You can request a public record without having to list the reason why.

While the premise of the state’s law is well-intentioned, the language of the law is a bit vague and can lead to some problems. As a result, it’s best to know everything you can about the law to give you the best chance for success.

In Alabama, you can request public records for all government agencies, criminal, inmate, court, and vital records.

It’s essential to understand that accessing public and government records can be time-consuming. You will need to know which agency maintains the records you need and additional information. It will take time to submit the request and receive the documents from the state.

What does the Alabama public records law say?

The Public Records code of Alabama states that the public can access records with no state government or agencies off-limits. However, the state has comprehensive safeguards to classify documents as confidential and has done so with public safety records and public library records.

The state doesn’t have a records custodian or a designated person to manage records. There’s also no response time written in the law.

Between the lack of a records custodian and no expressed response time, requesting and receiving documents in the State of Alabama can be time-consuming.

In addition, there’s no court appeals process in Alabama. If a person submits a request for a copy of any public writing of this state and the request is denied, there’s no process in place to fight that decision.

For additional information about Alabama public records, visit Alabama.gov.

How can I access public records in Alabama?

For most public records in Alabama, a person must submit a public records request. The request is sent to different agencies, depending on the documents you want to access.

The request is sent via mail, email, mail, or by phone to the Alabama Secretary of State for general records.

You will have to contact different agencies for criminal, inmate, court, and vital records.

Regardless of which agency you contact, a public records request is likely required. The request should include:

• Your name and contact information, including an email, phone number, and mailing address.
• The name of the document you want access to with as much detail as possible.
• A date that you’d like to receive the materials by.
• The delivery method of documents, whether by email or mail.

Office hours for agencies will vary. Always call before arriving in person.

In Alabama, there is no cost to copy public documents yourself.

However, additional fees will vary depending on the agency. Most government departments charge for hard copies.

Alabama criminal records

Criminal records, or criminal history, are official documents highlighting a person’s past or current illegal activity.

• Date of arrest
• Charge
• Prosecution dat
• Guilty Pleas
• Convictions
• Felony or misdemeanor charge
• Sex offender registration

Criminal records are often accessed by employers who want to conduct a background check on a possible hire.

You can check local criminal records through any Alabama law enforcement agency in your jurisdiction.

What’s on a criminal record?

The information listed on a criminal record may vary from county to county, but most public records contain:

• First middle and last name of the offender
• Offense(s) committed and law violated
• Case number
• Physical descriptions such as race, height, eye color, hair color, tattoos, etc.
• Date of birth
• Pending charges
• Acquitted or dismissed charges

Where can I find Alabama criminal records?

The Alabama Background Check System is a secure online portal where employers can run a background check on a particular person.

If any criminal record exists, the employer can see information like arrests, charges, and convictions.

The Criminal Records Identification Unit maintains public criminal records.

Alabama Criminal Records Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102
334-353-4340

Alabama inmate records

The Alabama Department of Corrections runs 15 major facilities. Records are kept on each inmate, most of which is considered public record.

The ADOC Inmate Search is a free online database that provides inmate information.

However, information regarding death row inmates held at Holman Correctional Facility or Tutwiler Prison is not searchable but can be requested by mail.

William C. Holman Correctional Facility
240 Ross Rd
Atmore, AL 36502

Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
8966 US-231
Wetumpka, AL 36092

What’s on an inmate record?

An inmate record can provide the following information:

• An inmate’s full name and aliases
• Race
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Nationality/ethnicity as well as unique identifiers and associations
• Inmate’s criminal data, such as the primary charges, arrest/booking details, current sentence, bail/bond conditions
• Prospective court or release dates

Where can I find Alabama inmate records?

The Alabama Department of Corrections maintains the Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search.

To conduct a search, you must enter a person’s first and last name or the Alabama Institutional Serial number.

The records can provide information on the 25,000+ inmates in the state prison system, but will not provide any details on youth offenders.

Death row and written inmate records requests must be sent to the Department of Corrections central office in Montgomery.

Alabama Department of Corrections
301 Ripley St
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-353-3883

Alabama court records

Obtaining court records is one of the more complicated requests, usually because each of the courts, district court, federal court, or trial court, keeps its records. Court records can provide an overview of an entire case.

In many states, to request court records from the judicial system, you must do so through the court clerk. In Alabama, however, you can search public court records online through the Department of Justice.

What’s on a court record?

The information on a court record can vary, but in Alabama, most people are looking for these specific documents within a court record:

• Court minutes
• Case files
• Dockets
• Orders of the court
• Judgment documentation
• Jury records and files
• Witness documentation

Where can I find Alabama court records?

The Alabama Department of Justice maintains a searchable database for all public records searches for court documents.

The cost to use the Just One Look court record database is $9.00.

You can access the following documents:

• Criminal Records
• Civil Records
• Small Claims Records
• State Traffic Records
• Domestic Relations
• Child Support

Supreme court records can be accessed by sending a request to the Supreme Court of Alabama.

Alabama Supreme Court Address:
300 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
334-229-0700

Alabama vital records

The Alabama Center for Health Statistics files, stores, and issues copies of public records in Alabama. The state has an automated system that gives all Alabama counties access to records.

Requests for public records can be made at the local level.

Documents that can be requested include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.

The Alabama Department of Public Health handles all vital records and the process is are similar for each.

You can find a complete list of Alabama Department of Public Health departments.

If you find the vital record you’re in search for is on in Alabama, the National Center for Health Statistics maintains vital records for every state.

What information do I need to request a birth certificate in Alabama?

You will need the basic information to request a birth certificate with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

• Full name of the person at birth
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Jurisdiction of the birth, county, or city

Where can I find an Alabama Birth Certificate?

You will complete the Application for a Birth Certificate and submit it to the Alabama Department of Public Health by mail or in person.

Or, you can file your Application for a Birth Certificate online.

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

The Alabama processing fee to search for an Alabama Birth Certificate is $15. It is an additional cost of $6 for every requested copy.

Alabama Birth Certificate requests are processed the same day. However, for $15, you can have your request expedited.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Alabama?

You will need specific information to request a death certificate from the Alabama Department of Public Health including:

• The full legal name of the deceased individual
• The date of death
• County or city of the death.
• Gender
• Social security number.
• The date of birth
• The age of the person when they died
• Ethnicity

Where can I find an Alabama Death Record?

You will complete the Application for a Death Certificate and submit it to the Alabama Department of Public Health by mail or in person.

Or, you can file your Application for a Death Certificate online.

You can find a complete list of Alabama Department of Public Health departments.

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

The Alabama processing fee to search for an Alabama Death Certificate is $15. It is an additional cost of $6 for every requested copy.

Alabama death Certificate requests are processed the same day. Alabama does offer expedited services for an additional $15.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in Alabama?

An Alabama marriage certificate request is made through the Alabama Department of Public Health.

The public records request should include the following:

• Your contact information.
• The full names of both spouses before the first marriage.
• The date of the marriage.
• The county in which the marriage license was issued.

Where can I find an existing Alabama Marriage Certificate?

You will complete the Application for a Marriage Certificate and submit it to the Alabama Department of Public Health by mail or in person.

Or, you can file your Application for a Marriage Certificate online.

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

The Alabama processing fee to search for an Alabama Marriage Certificate is $15. Expect an additional cost of $6 for each requested copy.

Alabama marriage certificate requests are processed the same day. However, for an extra $15, you can have your public records request expedited.

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Public Health requires specific information to request a death certificate.

• The name of both parties in the divorce.
• Court case number
• The date of the divorce
• The jurisdiction of the divorce

Where can I find an Alabama Divorce Certificate?

You will complete the Application for a Divorce Certificate and submit it to the Alabama Department of Public Health by mail or in person.

Or, you can file your Application for a Divorce Certificate online.

Alabama Vital Records

P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

The fee in Alabama to search for an Alabama Marriage Certificate is $15. You will have an additional cost of $6 for each copy you request.

Alabama marriage certificate requests are normally processed the same day. Alabama does offer expedited services for an additional $15.

Alabama Property Records

The Alabama Department of Revenue maintains public property records, including liens and related real estate information.

What information do I need to request property records in Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Revenue and County Assessor’s Office requires specific information to request a public property record.

• Your contact information
• Your email Address
• A full description of the documents you are requesting.

Where can I find an Alabama property record?

You can access land records from the years 1800 to 1950 using the Alabama Secretary of State Land Record Search.

You will need to contact your local county office Tax Assessor for most current Alabama property records.

Jefferson County Tax Assessor

716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N #170
Birmingham, AL 35203

Alabama Department of Revenue Address:

PO Box 160
Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone Number: (205) 489-5166

FAQs

Can a public records request be submitted by non-residents of Alabama?

Requests for public records can come from residents of other states. The Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, mandates that the public have access to certain documents.

However, the state law doesn’t specifically grant this right to people outside of Alabama. As a result, record requests can be denied, but it’s uncommon.

Is there a records custodian in Alabama?

Alabama does not have a records custodian, ombudsman, or public officer that maintains records. This can make tracking down such records more difficult.

What exemptions exist in Alabama?

The state law doesn’t list any exemptions, but the state reserves the right to classify records as confidential or deem them “nonpublic.”

Documents that include security information or the registration and circulation records of any library in the state are considered confidential.

How long does Alabama have to respond?

The public records code doesn’t list a specific response time for public officials, and since there is no records custodian, response time is usually quite long in Alabama.

What kind of enforcement is in place in Alabama?

Alabama’s Public Records Law is vague about records enforcement. The law says records can’t be destroyed or changed by a record keeper and must not be withheld if they’re requested legally.

If a person breaks these rules, a punishment of one year in jail is possible, but the Alabama Attorney General doesn’t enforce the law; instead, it’s self-enforced.

Is there an Alabama public records appeal process in place?

If a request for the public disclosure of records is denied, there is no appeals process. Civil action would be the only way to fight the decision.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Alabama?

Alabama’s Public Records Law says records should be provided for free, but if budget restraints prevent this from happening the agency can charge a small fee to cover costs only. The Alabama state legislature must change laws to implement a custodian office.

Records can be reviewed, not copied, without any fee as long as it doesn’t take up too much employee time.