Alabama criminal records are maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which operates the Criminal Records and Identification Unit within the State Bureau of Investigation. ALEA processes fingerprint-based background checks statewide and maintains the Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) database. Court records are accessible through Alacourt, the state trial court records system covering civil, domestic, criminal, and traffic cases. The Alabama Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate search for currently incarcerated offenders. The Alabama Sex Offender Community Notification system provides public access to registered sex offender information.
Alabama Statewide Criminal Search Resources
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ALEA Criminal Records and Identification UnitThe Criminal History Section maintains fingerprint files for all arrested offenders in Alabama, as well as deceased persons. Provides criminal history record information.
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Alabama Background Check ProgramALEA processes fingerprint-based criminal background checks for employment, licensing, and volunteer purposes. Contact ALEA at 1-866-740-4762.
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ALEA Online ServicesAccess background checks, pay tickets, boat registration, and driver license services through ALEA online portal.
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Alacourt Public Access — Court RecordsAccess all state trial court records in Alabama including civil, domestic, criminal, and traffic cases through Alacourt Access.
Alabama DOC Inmate SearchSearch for currently incarcerated inmates in Alabama. Database updated daily. Youthful offenders are not included.
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Alabama Department of CorrectionsOfficial site of the Alabama Department of Corrections. Inmate information, facility addresses, death row, reentry programs.
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Alabama Attorney GeneralThe AG office oversees criminal prosecution, consumer protection, and public safety divisions for the state of Alabama.
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Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)Official ALEA portal. Oversees state troopers, criminal investigations, driver licenses, and homeland security.
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Alabama VINELink — Victim NotificationRegister for custody status notifications for offenders in Alabama through the VINE automated victim notification system.
Did You Know? Alabama Criminal History Checks Are Available to the Public — But Only Through ALEA
Alabama allows anyone to request a criminal history background check through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). However, you must complete a specific ALEA application form — there is no open online name-search portal for the general public. The process requires submitting a written request to the Criminal Records and Identification Unit.
Court records are accessible separately through the Alacourt system, which covers civil, domestic, criminal, and traffic cases statewide. But the ALEA criminal history and the court record system are two different things — one may contain records the other does not.
About Alabama Criminal Records: Criminal history record information is maintained by the state central repository. Court records may provide additional case-level detail. For official background checks, contact the state criminal history agency listed above. Sex offender registries are updated by local law enforcement and maintained at the state level.