Alabama Public Records

It might difficult to find records in Alabama if you don’t know where to find authentic information about public records, marriage records, birth records and divorce records and so on. This post shows where to find such information in Alabama.

Years before 1923, there were no laws in Alabama State regarding access to public records. By then, any request for access to public records was dealt with under the common law precedence. Today, the state of Alabama, which has the shortest public records law in the USA, tries to be precise on what is covered and that which is not. Nevertheless, due to its briefness, the Alabama courts have frequently had to interpret the meaning.

Alabama Criminal Records

The state of Alabama, through Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ELEA), has a precise criminal background check system, which it uses to check all criminal background histories and that all qualified employers have the right to subscribe to so that they can perform criminal background checks. Even though you have a right to get your own criminal background report, the law doesn’t allow you to obtain another person’s background report if you are not an eligible employer in Alabama. Any employer who qualifies to use the state’s criminal background check system is allowed to run checks on volunteers, prospective employees, and current employees.

Concerning arrest records, jail records and inmate records, a lot of information about people being held at various state correctional facilities is made available to the public by the Alabama Department of Corrections. The state provides an official search page that allows you to search for an inmate. The state’s search page will prompt you to enter the inmate’s Last Name, First Name, and AIS#. You will find out the intimate’s current location and its expected release date.

Alabama Court Records

Most court proceeding records in Alabama are readily available for the public. The access to these court records generally depends on the type of case and the court. Most court proceeding records are available on the state’s On-Demand web portal where they can easily be accessed. Any citizen is allowed to set up an account and then pay to search for any case by number or name, or pay for even lifetime case monitoring.

Besides, you can also obtain documents from the courthouse directly. Alternatively, you can also go to the Administrator of the Courts to find more information about various Alabama courts.

Alabama Vital Records

The Center for Health Statistics keeps the current vital records for divorce, marriage, birth and death. However, historical records basically depend on the date and the type of record.

  • Birth records: Birth certificates were not required to be kept by Alabama prior to 1908. Most Alabama birth records list the race, sex, date or birth, and place of birth, but do not list the child’s name. Birth records also often list names of the parent and the name of attending physician. For you to obtain birth records that are older than 125, you must either be an immediate family member for you to make the request or provide written permission from the listed next of kin.
  • Death records: Death records were not required by the state of Alabama until 1908. To obtain death records that are older than 25 years, you must either be an immediate family member for you to make the request or provide written permission from the listed next of kin.
  • Marriage records: Alabama State did not require recording of marriage certificates until 1936. Most marriage certificates list the names of both the husband and wife, as well as the name of the presiding official.
  • Divorce records: Alabama did also not require recording of divorce certificates until 1950. Most divorce records only show the date of divorce and the name of the involved parties.

You can request any records in Alabama through the mail or a partnership that the state of Alabama has with VitalCheck.

Alabama State Court System

Understanding what the Alabama state court system consists of is very important. This post shows the court systems in Alabama and where to find the court records.

Alabama Courts Overview

The court system in Alabama State consists of Municipal Courts, Probate Courts, District Courts and Circuit Courts.

Alabama Circuit Courts

These courts have general jurisdiction over both criminal and civil cases but more often than not, these courts often handle cases that are beyond or outside the jurisdiction of all other courts. In case there is no other court with jurisdiction to hear and determine a case, the Circuit Court will handle it.

Most felony cases, some lesser-included offenses, and some misdemeanors are the criminal cases that Circuit Courts handle. These courts have the jurisdiction to handle any civil case provided the disputed amount exceeds $10,000 excluding costs and interest. Circuit Courts have divisions for Juvenile Court, and they share with District Courts the jurisdiction over juvenile cases. Circuit Courts can also hear claims that involve less than $300 to $10,000 in dispute when a District Court doesn’t have the jurisdiction to hear a particular type of claim.

Circuit Courts can also grant requests to receive certain cases such as involuntary commitment cases from Probate Courts.

Alabama District Courts

Alabama District Courts have limited jurisdiction over some types of criminal and civil cases. The criminal cases that District Courts hear include most misdemeanors, preliminary trial for felony cases, some ordinance violation as well as guilty pleas in felony cases that do not include death penalties.

Some ordinance violations and misdemeanors may be handled by Alabama Circuit Courts as lesser-included offenses in some felony cases, or if a grand jury has returned an indictment for a particular misdemeanor. Basically, these courts hear ordinance violations only if there is no any Municipal Court in the area. They share jurisdiction with Alabama Municipal Courts over the criminal acts which violate state laws but can as well be heard as municipal ordinance violations.

District Courts handle general civil cases with less than $10,000 amount in dispute, excluding costs and interest. These courts also share jurisdiction Alabama Circuit Courts over certain civil cases, particularly those that involve amounts in dispute between 3,000 and 10,000 dollars, excluding interest and costs. These courts have limited jurisdiction over the Small Claims cases that involve less than 3,000 dollars in dispute, exclusive of interest and costs.

Alabama District Courts also share jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over juvenile cases, and can also receive adoption cases from the Probate Court.

Alabama Probate Courts

Alabama Probate Courts have general and original jurisdiction over those cases that include name changes, adoptions, involuntary mental health commitments, guardianships and conservatorships, the probate of wills, and the administration of estates. Even though these courts have the general and original jurisdiction over name changes cases, the cases that involve changes of the name might be part of adoption or divorce. This, therefore, means that the records of such name changes can exist in the other courts.

Alabama Municipal Courts

These courts have jurisdiction over the majority of municipal ordinance violations. Alabama Municipal Courts also share jurisdiction with Alabama District Courts over criminal acts which are violations of municipal and state laws. Generally, District Courts will handle ordinance violations only if there is no Municipal Court within the area.

The Official Website of Alabama County

Birmingham The Official Website of the City of Birmingham, AL Birmingham is a beautiful, diverse city located in central Alabama. The largest city in the state, Birmingham is the heart of a metro area of over 1.1 million.
Montgomery City of Montgomery, Alabama Known as the Capital of Dreams, Montgomery is a city rich in history, yet clearly focused on the future.
Mobile City of Mobile
Huntsville City of Huntsville – Official website of the City of Huntsville, Alabama City services, jobs, sanitation schedule, programs, elected officials and more.
Tuscaloosa City of Tuscaloosa Located along the banks of the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama, Tuscaloosa is home to 99,543 residents and a thriving business community.
Hoover Hoover, AL – Official Website
Dothan Dothan, AL – Official Website
Decatur Home – City of Decatur, Alabama Located on the Tennessee River in Morgan County, Decatur boasts a rich heritage and a dynamic future.
Auburn Home – City of Auburn
Madison Madison, AL – Official Website
Florence Welcome to Florence, Alabama
Gadsden Gadsden, AL – Official Website
Vestavia Hills Vestavia Hills Alabama’s premier place to live, shop, work and play.
Prattville The Official Site of Prattville
Phenix City Phenix City, Alabama Welcome to Phenix City, Alabama, an All-America City with a rich history and a strong dedication to a progressive future.
Jefferson County Jefferson County Official Website of Jefferson County, Alabama
Mobile County Mobile County Alabama
Madison County Madison County, AL
Montgomery County Montgomery Alabama
Shelby County Shelby County, AL – Official Website
Tuscaloosa County Tuscaloosa County Alabama
Baldwin County Welcome to Baldwin County, Alabama Welcome to the official website for Baldwin County. Our county seat is located in Bay Minette, Alabama. We strive to make this website helpful to you, the citizens and businesses that live and work in Baldwin County.
Lee County Welcome to Lee County Alabama
Morgan County The Official Site of Morgan County Alabama The Official Website of Morgan County Alabama
Calhoun County Calhoun County Alabama Calhoun County, Alabama, Northeast Alabama, Home Page, County Government
Etowah County Etowah County
Houston County Houston County
Marshall County Marshall County Online
Lauderdale County Welcome to Lauderdale County Online – Lauderdale County Alabama
St. Clair County St. Clair County, AL
Limestone County Welcome to the Limestone County website.
Talladega County Welcome to Talladega County
Cullman County Cullman County, Alabama Cullman County Commission Official Government Website.
Elmore County Welcome to Elmore County
DeKalb County DeKalb County Alabama Commission
Walker County Walker County Alabama Welcome to Walker County, AlabamaWalker County is located in the Northwest part of Alabama, approximately 22 miles from Birmingham, the state’s largest city and encompasses a total of 803 square miles.
Blount County From boating and rock climbing to paying taxes online, this is your home for information on everything that is Blount County.
Autauga County Autauga County
Colbert County Welcome to Colbert County, AL The official Web site for Colbert County Alabama
Jackson County We are very proud of our beautiful scenic county, but we feel it’s our people that make us such a wonderful place. We are so glad that you have chosen to visit our website and thankful that you have allowed us to bring to you this most valuable service.
Russell County Russell County
Coffee County Here at the Coffee County Revenue Commissioner’s office, our goal is to provide you with value-added, personalized service that exceeds our customers’ expectations.
Dale County Dale County Alabama
Dallas County Dallas County
Escambia County Escambia County Commission
Chilton County The Official Website of Chilton County, Alabama The Chilton County Commission welcomes you to learn more about Chilton County, Alabama and all of our County departments.
Tallapoosa County Tallapoosa County – Welcome
Covington County Covington County – Alabama Welcome to the Covington County, Alabama site. Please use this site for any official county information.
Lawrence County The goal of this website is to allow you to conduct your business online, whether it’s paying your property taxes, renewing your car tag, or simply researching our county’s tax records.
Chambers County Chambers County Alabama

Alabama Jail Roster

TypeNameCountyInmate LocatorPhone NumberInmate Search
Federal PrisonMontgomery Federal Prison CampMontgomery CountyMaxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL 36112(334) 293-2100Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonAliceville Federal Correctional InstitutionPickens County11070 Highway 14, Aliceville, AL 35442(205) 373-5000Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonTalladega Federal Correctional InstitutionTalladega County565 East Renfroe Road, Talladega, AL 35160(256) 315-4100Federal Inmate Locator
State PrisonVentress Correctional FacilityBarbour County379 Alabama Hwy 239 North, Clayton, AL 36016(334) 775-3331Inmate Search
State PrisonBibb Correctional FacilityBibb County565 Bibb Lane, Brent, AL 35034(205) 926-5252Inmate Search
State PrisonBullock Correctional FacilityBullock County104 Bullock Drive, Union Springs, AL 36089(334) 738-5625Inmate Search
State PrisonDraper Correctional FacilityElmore County2828 Alabama Highway 143, Elmore, AL 36025(334) 567-2221Inmate Search
State PrisonEasterling Correctional FacilityElmore County200 Wallace Drive, Clio, AL 36017-2615(334) 397-4471Inmate Search
State PrisonElmore Correctional FacilityElmore County3520 Marion Spillway Road, Elmore, AL 36025(334) 567-1460Inmate Search
State PrisonJulia Tutwiler Prison for WomenElmore County8966 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka, AL 36092(334) 567-4369Inmate Search
State PrisonStaton Correctional FacilityElmore County2690 Marion Spillway Road, Elmore, AL 36025(334) 567-2221Inmate Search
State PrisonFountain Correctional FacilityEscambia County9677 AL Hwy 21 N, Atmore, AL 36503(251) 368-8122Inmate Search
State PrisonHolman Correctional FacilityEscambia County866 Ross Road, Atmore, AL 36503(251) 368-8173Inmate Search
State PrisonDonaldson Correctional FacilityJefferson County100 Warrior Lane, Bessemer, AL 35023-7299(205) 436-3681Inmate Search
State PrisonLimestone Correctional FacilityLimestone County28779 Nick Davis Road, Harvest, AL 35749(256) 233-4600Inmate Search
State PrisonHamilton Aged & InfirmedMarion County223 Sasser Drive, Hamilton, AL 35570(205) 921-7453Inmate Search
State PrisonKilby Correctional FacilityMontgomery County12201 Wares Ferry Road, Montgomery, AL 36117(334) 215-6600Inmate Search
State PrisonSt. Clair Correctional FacilitySt. Clair County1000 St. Clair Road, Springville, AL 35146(205) 467-6111Inmate Search
Autauga County Jail RosterAutauga County Metro JailAutauga County136 N Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067(334) 361-2600Inmate Roster
Baldwin County Jail RosterBaldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections CenterBaldwin County200 Hand Avenue, Bay Minette, AL 36507(251) 972-6802Inmate Search
Barbour County Jail RosterBarbour County JailBarbour County24 Robertson Airport Drive, Clayton, AL 36016(334) 775-3434Inmate Roster
Butler County Jail RosterButler County Correctional FacilityButler County800 Walnut Street, Greenville, AL 36037(334) 382-3321Jail Roster
Calhoun County Jail RosterCalhoun County JailCalhoun County400 West 8th Street, Anniston, Alabama 36201(256) 236-5561Inmate Roster
Chambers County Jail RosterChambers County JailChambers County105 Alabama Avenue W, La Fayette, AL 36862(334) 864-4336Inmate Roster
Cherokee County Jail RosterCherokee County Detention CenterCherokee County110 Cedar Bluff Road, Centre, AL 35960(256) 927-6435Inmate Roster
Chilton County Jail RosterChilton County JailChilton County301 City Street, Clanton, AL 35045(205) 755-1053Jail Roster
Cleburne County Jail RosterCleburne County JailCleburne County140 Lambert Drive, Heflin, AL 36264(256) 463-7336 Inmate Roster
Coffee County Jail RosterCoffee County JailCoffee County4 County Complex, New Brockton, AL 36351(334) 894-6200Jail Roster
Colbert County Jail RosterColbert County JailColbert County107 W 4th Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674(256) 386-8551Inmate Roster
Coosa County Jail RosterCoosa County JailCoosa County296 School Street, Rockford, AL 35136(256) 377-2211Inmate Search
Covington County Jail RosterCovington County JailCovington County290 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia, AL 36420(334) 428-2640Jail Roster
Cullman County Jail RosterCullman County Detention CenterCullman County1900 Beech Avenue SE, Cullman, AL 35055(256) 735-2400Jail Roster
Dale County Jail RosterDale County JailDale County124 Adams Street, Ozark, AL 36360(334) 774-5402Inmate Roster
Dallas County Jail RosterDallas County JailDallas County800 Selfield Road, Selma, Al 36703(334) 874-2585Jail Roster
DeKalb County Jail RosterDeKalb County JailDeKalb County2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, Alabama 35968(256) 845-3801Inmate Roster
Elmore County Jail RosterElmore County JailElmore County8955 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092(334) 567-5441Jail Roster
Escambia County Jail RosterEscambia County JailEscambia County316 Court Street, Brewton, AL 36426(251) 809-0741Jail Roster
Etowah County Jail RosterEtowah County Detention CenterEtowah County827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901(256) 549-5410Jail Roster
Fayette County Jail RosterFayette County JailFayette County113 1st Avenue NW, Fayette, AL 35555(205) 932-3205/ 3206Jail Roster
Franklin County Jail RosterFranklin County Detention CenterFranklin County748 Walnut Gate Road, Russellville, AL 35654(256) 332-8425Inmate Roster
Hale County Jail RosterHale County JailHale County1001 Main Street #18, Greensboro, AL 36744(334) 624-3081Jail Roster
Houston County Jail RosterHouston County JailHouston County901 E Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301(334) 712-0762Inmate Search
Jackson County Jail RosterJackson County JailJackson County102 East Laurel Street, Scottsboro, Alabama 35768(256) 574-1884 Ext. 824 or 823Inmate Roster
Jefferson County Jail RosterJefferson County Bessemer JailJefferson County1822 2nd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020(205) 481-4160Inmate Search
Jefferson County Jail RosterJefferson County Birmingham JailJefferson County809 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N, Birmingham, AL 35203(205) 325-5670Inmate Search
Lawrence County Jail RosterLawrence County JailLawrence County242 Parker Road Moulton, AL 35650(256) 974-2550Jail Roster
Lee County Jail RosterLee County Detention FacilityLee County1900 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36803-0688(334) 749-5651Inmate Search
Limestone County Jail RosterLimestone County JailLimestone County101 W Elm Street, Athens, AL 35611(256)232-0111Inmate Search
Lowndes County Jail RosterLowndes County Detention FacilityLowndes County653 State Highway 21 S, Hayneville, AL. 36040(334) 548-2222Jail Roster
Madison County Jail RosterMadison County Detention FacilityMadison County815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801(256) 519-4800Inmate Search
Marengo County Jail RosterMarengo County Detention CenterMarengo County101 Dunn Street, Linden, AL 36748(334) 295-4208Jail Roster
Marion County Jail RosterMarion County JailMarion County280 Winchester Drive, Hamilton, AL 35570(205) 921-7433Inmate Roster
Mobile County Jail RosterMobile County Metro JailMobile County450 Saint Emanuel Street, Mobile, AL 36603251-574-4702Inmate Search
Montgomery County Jail RosterMac Sim Butler Detention FacilityMontgomery County225 South McDonough Street, Montgomery, AL 36104(334) 832-4980Inmate Search
Morgan County Jail RosterMorgan County JailMorgan County119 Lee Street, Decatur, AL, 35601(256) 351-4825Inmate Search
Pickens County Jail RosterPickens County JailPickens County188 Cemetery Street, Carrollton, AL 35447(205) 367-2000Inmate Roster
Pike County Jail RosterPike County JailPike County120 Church Street, Troy, Alabama 36081(334) 566-4347Inmate Roster
Randolph County Jail RosterRandolph County JailRandolph County1 N Main Street, Wedowee, AL 36278(256) 357-4545Inmate Roster
Russell County Jail RosterRussell County JailRussell County307 Prentiss Drive, Phenix City, AL 36869(334) 298-8621Jail Roster
St. Clair County Jail RosterSt. Clair County Ashville JailSt. Clair County162 6th Avenue, Ashville, AL 35953(205) 594-2149Jail Roster
St. Clair County Jail RosterSt. Clair County Pell City JailSt. Clair County1805 1st Avenue N, Pell City, AL 35120(205) 884-6842Jail Roster
Shelby County Jail RosterShelby County JailShelby County380 McDow Road, Columbiana, Alabama 35051(205) 669-3938Inmate Roster
Talladega County Jail RosterTalladega County JailTalladega County150 East Renfroe Road, Talladega, AL 35160(256) 761-2000Inmate Search
Tuscaloosa County Jail RosterTuscaloosa County JailTuscaloosa County1600 26th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401(205) 349-4511Inmate Search
Walker County Jail RosterWalker County JailWalker County2001 2nd Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501(205) 302-4874Jail Roster
Washington County Jail RosterWashington County JailWashington County45 Court Street, Chatom, AL 365187(251) 847-2202Inmate Search
Wilcox County Jail RosterWilcox County Prince Arnold Detention CenterWilcox County240 Highway 265 S Camden, AL 36726(334) 682-9394Jail Roster
County Sheriff’s DeptMarshall County SheriffMarshall County423 Blount Avenue, Guntersville, AL 35976(256) 582-2034Inmate Search

Autauga County, AL Sheriff’s Office Offering community resources including offender information, most wanted, press releases, and contact information for Autauga County, Alabama.
Baldwin County Arrest Search Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search
City of Spanish Fort AL Court System Spanish Fort Municipal Court System
City of Spanish Fort | Public Records Spanish Fort Public Records Search
Jail – Barbour County AL Sheriff Barbour County Sheriff’s Office
The Greenville Advocate Latest Arrests The Greenville Advocate Latest Arrests
Chambers County Jail – Inmates Chambers County Jail Current Inmates
Roster Choose – Cherokee County Sheriff AL Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Roster
Cleburne County Jail – Inmates Cleburne County Jail Current Inmates
Records Online | Probate Court of Coffee County | Coffee County, Alabama Probate Court of Coffee County Alabama information on online records for Coffee County Alabama.
Roster Choose – Colbert County Sheriff AL Colbert County Records of Arrest
Coosa County Sheriff Terry Wilson – Rockford, Alabama The Coosa County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to providing the safest environment and highest level of service possible in an effort to improve the
Courts | Coosa County, Alabama 40th Judicial Circuit Court? Coosa County Courthouse 9709 US Hwy 231 PO Box 98 Rockford AL 35136 Phone: 256-377-4988
County Courts | Covington County AL Probate Court
Inmate Roster – Current Inmates Booking Date Descending – DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office – Fort Payne, Alabama DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Roster
Etowah County Sheriff’s Office – Mugshots Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Arrests
Gadsen Times Mugshots Gadsen Times Mugshots
Inmate Roster – Current Inmates Booking Date Descending – Franklin County AL Sheriff’s Office Franklin County Inmates
HCSO Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Jail Docket | dothaneagle.com Dothan Eagle Recent Arrests
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office Inmates in Houston County
Roster Choose – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Jackson County Detention Center Inmate List
Jefferson County Inmate Inquiry Jefferson County Inmate Search
Landmark Web Official Records Search Landmark Web Official Records Search
Welcome – City of Birmingham Birmingham Alabama Open Data
Municipal Court | Hoover, AL – Official Website Access information about everything you may need to know about your day in court and other court services.
10th Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Alabama 10th Judicial Circuit Court
Lee County Sheriff’s Office | Recent Arrests & Crime Reports | Lee County Sheriff’s Office Lee County Arrest Reports
Madison County JAIL View Madison County Inmate Search
Madison County Circuit Clerk | Public Judicial System Madison County Circuit Clerk
Inmate Roster – Current Inmates Booking Date Descending – Marion County Sheriff AL Marion County Recent Arrests
Who’s in Jail | Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Who’s in Jail in Mobile County
Montgomery County Public Web Search Montgomery County Inmate Search
Roster Choose – Pickens County Alabama Sheriff’s Office – Pickens County Alabama Sheriff’s Office Pickens County Sheriff’s Office
Roster Choose – Pike County Sheriff’s Office Pike County Arrest Database
Randolph County Jail? Randolph County Jail Inmate List
Shelby County Public Inquiry Public Records & Recorded Documents
Circuit Clerk | St. Clair County, AL The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk’s resource strives to provide the public with helpful online information about our office and its services.
Arrest Database | Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to quality service with an emphasis on integrity, professionalism, and community spirit.
Municipal Court | City of Tuscaloosa Located along the banks of the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama, Tuscaloosa is home to 99,543 residents and a thriving business community.
County Jail – Walker County Sheriff’s Office JAIL / CORRECTIONS DIVISION
Alabama Inmate Search Alabama Department of Corrections
Alabama Judicial System Alabama Judicial System
Alabama Sex Offender Registry Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Community Information Center
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts