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.
Search state repository for criminal records in Alabama.
- Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center
Obtain criminal history of yourself or others, correct or eliminate your criminal history.- Alabama Criminal Background Checks
Find sources in the state to search criminal records.- Alabama Federal Bureau of Investigation Birmingham Office
Make identification record request or conduct criminal background checks.- Alabama Criminal Trial and Court Records
Obtain on demand access to Alabama criminal trial court records by name or case number.- Alabama Inmates and Offenders Search
Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Alabama Dept. of Corrections.- Alabama Sex Offenders
Search the Alabama Department of Public Safety database of registered offenders by name or location.- Alabama Most Wanted
Search the most wanted fugitives and absconders by the Alabama law enforcement agencies.
Access arrest records directly from Alabama law enforcement agencies individually. Request information of incidents, charges and details from state and local police departments. Records division contact information and requirements to order official reports.
- Alabama Department of Public Safety
Highway Patrol, Protective Services, Drivers License and more.- Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Criminal investigations, latent prints, hazardous devices and more.- Alabama Attorney General
Civil, criminal and appellate courts.- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Online Services
Order a crash report, search driver history and run an employment background check.- Alabama County Sheriff Criminal Reports
Directory to county Sheriff offices and reports in Alabama.- Alabama Criminal Record Expungements
Information and resources to assist in expunging criminal records state and nationwide.
Search government agencies open to the public to find assets of companies, corporations, or individuals.
- Alabama Department of Revenue and Property Records
Free links to property and tax information online instantly.- Alabama Business And Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Alabama Secretary of State.- Unclaimed Property Search
Search for Lost Money (Updated Daily) and check the Status of a Previously Filed Claim. Free official database by Alabama's Office of State Treasurer.- Alabama Department of Archives
Start your search by accessing government records of land records, county and municipal records, and more.- Alabama Statewide Professional License Records
Search licensing of professional and verify status and more.
- International Students Directory
Locate international students in Alabama.- Auburn University Student Directory
Search and locate AU students.- University of South Alabama Student Search
Directory of students attending USA.- Jacksonville State University Email Search
Email address or telephone number search of students at JSU.- University of Montevallo Registrar
Student academic records and transcript requests.- University of West Alabama
UWA campus directory.
Alabama’s state level courts are the Supreme Court, the court of civil appeals and the court of criminal appeals. Located in Montgomery Alabama, administrative department clerks assist with requests of case files, maintain and update calendars. Begin with a search of e-services from the state’s judicial site and view the available resources.