About Alabama Public Records

About Alabama public records

Alabama's most requested public records relate to an individual's criminal history, real estate transactions of property, vital certificates and courts files. State and county governments are the original recorders and providers of information. Alabama Criminal Justice Information repository and the Alabama Background Check System (ABC) for current and prospective employees are two methods in which the public can obtain information from a central statewide repository. Circuit clerks, registrars, coroners, correctional facilities, probate judges, funeral homes and hospitals are few private and government entities in Alabama which provide certificates of death, birth, marriages and divorces. Alabama's 41 circuit courts have general jurisdiction over trials and maintains case files of felonies, judgments, liens, dissolution of marriage, juvenile, appeals from district courts and other court actions and motions.

State background and court information

Located in the southeastern region of the U.S., Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819. The state had a vital role in the civil war, and the capitol city of Montgomery was the confederate government's first capital. Alabama early economy benefited from slave labor and cotton production. Today, Alabama's economy is comprised of car production, agriculture, aerospace, mining of natural gas, coal and oil. Government services are third in the state's economy.

Alabama has a population of 4.7 million people in 52,423 square miles making it the 30th largest in the U.S. The state is divided into 67 counties and 460 incorporated localities such as cities and towns.

Ratified in 1901, Alabama has the longest constitution in the world. The state is governed by 3 branches of government which includes the executive branch with an elected governor, attorney general, secretary of state, commissioners, treasurer and auditor. The state legislature is an assembly of a 105 member house of representatives and 35 members of the state senate. The judicial branch is the court system of the state and interprets the law with the top court being the supreme court of Alabama. Lower courts are in the appellate divisions, circuit trial courts for local issues and jurisdiction, probate and municipal courts involving smaller claims.

Alabama government is comprised of 67 counties, and has 460 incorporated cities and towns. Each level of government whether state, county or municipality, elects and appoints governing officials by its citizens. Certain government functions such as licensing drivers are the sole responsibility of the state whereas law enforcement can be local to counties and have an elected sheriff a county funded department or city level police. County courts in Alabama are broken down into various jurisdiction depending on venue and types of cases.

The state's statutes provide the public's right to government records. Similar to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Alabama gives its residents an open record government with few exceptions. This law allows citizens of Alabama (or anyone) to obtain, copy and inspect government records. The law also allows the public's access to open meetings and deliberations by agencies. Government transparency lets its residents see government finances, elections and oversight of many other state and local operations. Freedom of information act requests are often made by reporters uncovering data that the Alabama public can greatly benefit from by exposing overspending and abuses by local and state officials. Students, residents and the general public also benefit greatly from open records for personal reasons.

Many record requests in Alabama are for personal documentation requests and historical research. A resident can conduct a background search by obtaining criminal records history checks from the Alabama criminal justice information center. Certified copies of Alabama births, deaths marriages and divorces are requested from the department of public health. Historical records of the state for genealogy and ancestry research are held in the Alabama department of archives and history. Alabama courts offer an online source to the public in obtaining criminal case information, civil records such as domestic relations, judgments, liens, traffic and small claims. Property details, taxes, real estate ownership and value can be easily obtained from the revenue commissioner of Alabama.

The Alabama Court Access system is an electronic case search for criminal, civil, domestic relations, small claims, traffic and child support filings. Information of the search can show setting dates, court actions, party information, case action summary, financial data and images. Open to the public and attorneys, searches can be conducted by name or case number.

The Alabama district courts are the state's trial courts for torts, contracts, real property rights from $3,000 to 10,000, exclusive small claims jurisdiction of $3,000, criminal felony, misdemeanor, DWI or DUI, traffic, juvenile cases and preliminary hearings.

Probate courts have exclusive mental health, estate jurisdiction as well as real property rights and adoptions, misdemeanors, traffic, parking, and exclusive ordinance violation jurisdiction.

Circuit courts deal with torts, contracts, real property rights from $3,000 with no maximum, civil appeals jurisdiction, domestic relations, felony, misdemeanor, exclusive criminal appeals jurisdiction and juvenile issues.

Civil appeals court have mandatory jurisdiction in civil less than $50,000, domestic relations, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding cases. Court of criminal appeals have mandatory jurisdiction in capital criminal, criminal, juvenile, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases.

The supreme court of Alabama has mandatory jurisdiction in civil over $50,000, administrative agency, disciplinary, original proceeding cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, advisory opinion, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases.

Vital records

Statewide Alabama vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Alabama and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Alabama to conduct research online.

Government records and agencies

Access Alabama government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Free and easy to use direct Alabama official government links to driver license and registration sources. Register your vehicle, get your tags, obtain the history of a vehicle. Online forms and processing from your computer anywhere. You can also see the status of your applications at anytime online without having to call the clerk. Locations, hours and office information are also available online.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Alabama. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Alabama criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Alabama genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online.

Missing children resources

Citizens in Alabama can search Amber Alerts and missing children databases through the Alabama Department of Public Safety Community Information Center and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation Division. Information can be obtained about the Alabama Amber Plan, the purpose of the amber alert system and how the system is activated and functions. An online search for children reported missing in Alabama is also available. Access to photos and details of missing children can also be found online. Information is available to learn where to report suspicious criminal activity or notify authorities of a missing child.