About Birmingham — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Jefferson County Jail is the primary detention facility for the county and is located in Birmingham. When individuals are arrested, they undergo a booking process that includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information. Visitation requires advance scheduling, and visitors must follow specific guidelines established by the facility.
Arrest Records
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain arrest records for the area. These records typically include the individual's name, charges, booking date, and arresting agency. Under the Alabama Open Records Act, residents and attorneys can request access to this information, though some details may be redacted for privacy reasons. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through online portals depending on which agency holds the records. Each law enforcement entity has its own procedures for fulfilling public records requests.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Jefferson County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the ABI, which include criminal history information. The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, allowing residents to search for offenders in their area.
Vital Records
The Alabama Department of Public Health oversees the vital records for the Birmingham region, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce certificates. Residents can obtain copies of these important documents through the department's online portal. The city's birth, marriage, and death records are all maintained as part of the state's vital records system, providing a resource For people researching their family history or personal documentation needs.
Business & Licensing Records
Birmingham businesses can access numerous resources through the city government's online platform. The City of Birmingham website provides information on business licenses, zoning regulations, and permit applications, helping to streamline processes for entrepreneurs and established companies alike. The local economic development office offers additional support and guidance for businesses considering expansion or relocation to the area.
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham's economy has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from its historic roots in iron and steel production to a more diverse area. Today, the city is known for its thriving healthcare and finance sectors, with major employers such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) driving economic growth. The area's workforce is highly skilled, with a range of educational and training opportunities available through local colleges and universities.
Elections & Voter Records
Birmingham voters rely on the Jefferson County Board of Registrars and the Jefferson County Probate Court Elections Division for all election services. The office is located at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Room A-100, Birmingham, AL 35203, and can be reached at 205-325-5550 or through https://www.jccal.org/probate. This office handles voter registration, election administration, absentee voting, and precinct management for the entire county.
Alabama residents can register online at https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration/ through the Secretary of State's website, or submit paper forms directly to the Jefferson County Registrars. The registration deadline falls 15 days before any election, and voters must provide either a valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Municipal elections for Mayor and nine City Council seats representing each district will next occur in August 2025 for the primary and October 2025 for the general election. The Mayor and Council members serve four-year terms. Information about Birmingham municipal candidates, ballot measures, and local election dates can be found at https://www.birminghamal.gov/elections/. To locate assigned polling places, voters should visit the Alabama Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/VoterView or contact the Jefferson County elections division directly. Under Alabama law, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for political purposes, while campaign finance reports are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's Elections Division and accessible at https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/Homepage.aspx. Candidate qualification documents and precinct-level results are maintained by the Jefferson County Probate Court and Secretary of State. Alabama does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 as the next contest occurs in 2028. Absentee voting in Alabama requires an excuse; eligible reasons include being out of the county on election day, illness or physical disability, working a required shift, student or spouse of student enrolled out of county, or being an appointed election officer or poll watcher in a different precinct. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Jefferson County Absentee Election Manager at the Probate Court address, and applications are available at https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter-pdfs/absenteeballotapplication.pdf. Alabama does not have no-excuse mail-in voting or early voting periods, meaning absentee ballots must be requested individually for each election.
Official Government Resources
Birmingham Alabama Missing Person and Children
Community resource for missing children or persons in Birmingham.
Birmingham Alabama Property Records
Search property and parcel records online for Birmingham Alabama.
Birmingham Alabama Genealogy and Archives
Search Alabama Department of Archives and History genealogy records for Birmingham.
Birmingham Alabama Bankruptcy Court
Northern District bankruptcy court information for Birmingham Alabama.
Alabama Judicial System, Birmingham Court Records
Information for searching or obtaining court records in Birmingham Alabama.
Birmingham Alabama Divorce Records
Search online public records of divorces granted in Birmingham from 1950 to present.
Birmingham Alabama Marriage Records
Free online search for public record of marriage in Birmingham from 1936 to present.
Birmingham Alabama Birth Records
Obtain birth certificates for Birmingham residents from the State of Alabama.
Birmingham Alabama Vital Records, Birth, Marriage, Death
Alabama Department of Public Health, Vital Records for Birmingham.
Birmingham Alabama Fugitives and Most Wanted
View postings of the most wanted criminals in Birmingham Alabama.
Birmingham Alabama Sex Offenders Registry
View registered sex offenders living or working near Birmingham.
Birmingham Alabama Census and Vital Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau quick facts, demographics, and population statistics for Birmingham.
City of Birmingham
Directory of Birmingham city records and information
Birmingham Police Department
1710 1st Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama 35203 205-254-1700
Birmingham Fire Department
The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service 1808 Seventh Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama 35203 205-254-2995 Fax: 205-254-74
Birmingham City Clerk
Public Records City Hall-3rd Floor 710 North 20th Street Birmingham, Alabama 35203 205-254-2290
Birmingham Alabama Criminal Records Search and Depository
Alabama State Bureau of Investigation Department of Public Safety P.O. Box 1511 Montgomery, Alabama 36192-0511 Phone: 334-242-
Birmingham Alabama Official Criminal History Background Check
Resource for qualifying employers to search criminal records of potential employees. Phone: 1-866-740-4762 or 334-517-24
Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Quick search for missing children, sex offenders, Amber alerts, records and more public information.
Inmate Search and Community Corrections
Search for inmates, parole violators, death row inmates and more. Alabama Department of Corrections 301 S. Ripley Street
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Birmingham, Alabama?
To register to vote in Birmingham, Alabama, residents can register online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Jefferson County elections office. Alabama requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Alabama Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Birmingham, contact the Jefferson County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Birmingham, Alabama?
Property records for Birmingham, Alabama are maintained by the Jefferson Revenue Commissioner's Office and the Jefferson County Probate Judge's Office. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Jefferson County, including parcels in Birmingham. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Jefferson County Probate Judge's Office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Alabama counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Jefferson County Revenue Commissioner handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Birmingham, Alabama?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Birmingham, Alabama residents are available through both county and state offices. The Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, located in Montgomery, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Alabama. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Jefferson County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Jefferson County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.