Butler, Alabama Public Records

The Circuit Court, phone (205) 459-2417, handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, divorces, and appeals from lower courts. The District Court, phone (205) 459-2427, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $10,000, small claims (up to $6,000), traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Probate matters including wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments are handled by Choctaw County Probate Court at the same courthouse location, phone (205) 459-2417. Alabama court records can be searched online through the Alabama Judicial System's online portal Alacourt.com, though full access requires a paid subscription; limited case information may be available for free searching. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1.00 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $2.00-$5.00. The Circuit Clerk's office charges filing fees that vary by case type: civil complaints generally require $217 filing fee, domestic relations cases approximately $290, and probate matters vary from $50 to over $200 depending on the estate value.

Property tax information and some assessment data can be searched online through the Alabama Department of Revenue's property tax portal, though Choctaw County's online access may be limited compared to larger Alabama counties. The Choctaw County Probate Judge serves as the county recorder and maintains all recorded land documents at the Probate Office in the Choctaw County Courthouse, 117 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler, AL 36904, phone (205) 459-2417. This office records deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (including tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens), easements, surveys, right-of-way documents, and plats. To conduct a property search, residents can visit the Probate Office in person and search by owner name, property address, or legal description; staff can assist with locating recorded documents in the grantor/grantee indices. Recording fees typically run $17 for the first page and $4 for each additional page of a document. Copies of recorded documents cost approximately $1.00 per page, with certification adding an additional fee. Choctaw County does not currently offer a comprehensive online GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer, so most property research requires in-person visits or phone inquiries to county offices.

Timber and forestry products remain economically significant, with several lumber-related businesses operating in the area. Healthcare services are provided by local medical clinics and the Choctaw Health Care Authority. Retail businesses along Highway 84 and around the courthouse square provide groceries, hardware, automotive services, and other necessities for county residents. Manufacturing employment is limited compared to larger Alabama metros, but the county has attracted some light industrial operations. Median household income in Choctaw County is approximately $35,000-$38,000, notably below the Alabama state median, reflecting the area's rural character and limited industrial base. The county has experienced population decline in recent decades as younger residents migrate to larger employment centers. Butler's economy remains closely tied to Choctaw County's overall economic health, with government services and natural resource-based industries (agriculture and timber) providing the most stable employment. Recent economic development efforts have focused on attracting new industry, supporting small business development, and improving infrastructure to capitalize on Butler's location along the U.S. 84 corridor connecting southeastern Alabama to Mississippi.

The Butler Police Department, located at 110 Pushmataha Street, Butler, AL 36904, serves the incorporated town limits and can be reached at (205) 459-2141. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person during business hours or by submitting written requests under the Alabama Open Records Act. For areas outside Butler's city limits, the Choctaw County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services and is headquartered at 114 Court Square, Butler, AL 36904, phone (205) 459-2166. The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Choctaw County and handles county-wide warrants, civil process, and detention operations. Arrest records and jail bookings for Choctaw County can be accessed through the Choctaw County Jail, which maintains an inmate roster showing current detainees, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Alabama's public records law, specifically the Alabama Open Records Act (Alabama Code §36-12-40 et seq.), requires government agencies to make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours, with responses typically required within a reasonable time. Law enforcement agencies may charge copying fees and may withhold certain investigative records or information that could compromise ongoing investigations. To request records formally, citizens should submit written requests identifying the specific records sought, and agencies may require identification and may charge reasonable per-page copying fees, typically 25 to 50 cents per page.

Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks by mail, or expedited service is available for additional fees. Birth certificates are available for births occurring in Alabama from 1908 forward, and death certificates from 1908 forward. Only eligible individuals can request vital records: the registrant (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a documented legal interest. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. Marriage licenses for Choctaw County residents are issued by the Choctaw County Probate Court, 117 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler, AL 36904, phone (205) 459-2417. As of January 2019, Alabama transitioned to a new marriage certificate system that eliminated marriage licenses and ceremony requirements; couples now submit a completed marriage certificate form with a recording fee of approximately $74-$82, depending on county. Marriage records are maintained by the Probate Judge and are public records. Divorce records are maintained as part of court records in the Choctaw County Circuit Court at the same courthouse location; copies can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk for standard copying and certification fees. Historical vital records dating to the early 1900s are available, though records before 1908 may be incomplete.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Choctaw County, county-level business licensing requirements should be verified with the Choctaw County Commission. Fictitious business name (DBA) registrations in Alabama are filed with the Choctaw County Probate Court, 117 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler, AL 36904, phone (205) 459-2417. The filing fee for a trade name is approximately $10, and registration must be renewed every five years. Corporation, LLC, and other formal business entity formations are handled at the state level through the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state maintains a searchable online database at arc-sos.state.al.us/CGI/CORPNAME.MBR/INPUT where users can search for registered businesses, verify entity status, view registered agents, review officers and directors, and check entity good standing. Formation documents, annual reports, and business entity records are available through this portal. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Alabama Secretary of State's UCC Division; searches can be conducted online at sos.alabama.gov. Commercial property tax assessments can be researched through the Choctaw County Revenue Commissioner's Office at (205) 459-2562, where business owners can look up commercial property values and tax obligations. Professional and occupational licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc.) are regulated by respective Alabama state licensing boards.

Butler residents' election services are provided by the Choctaw County Probate Judge, who serves as the county's voter registration and election official. The office is located at Choctaw County Courthouse, 117 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler, AL 36904, phone (205) 459-2417. Alabama voters can register online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website at alabamavotes.gov using the Alabama Voter Registration system, which requires a valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID. Voters must register at least 15 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. To register, Alabama residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, residents of Alabama and their county, and not disqualified by a felony conviction (unless rights have been restored). Butler holds municipal elections for mayor and city council seats; these elections are typically held during the August municipal election cycle in Alabama, though specific timing should be confirmed with Butler City Hall at (205) 459-2141. The next municipal elections will depend on the term cycles for current officeholders. Since Butler is an incorporated municipality, residents vote in both city elections and county/state/federal elections. Choctaw County voters can find their assigned polling location by using the "My Voter Information" lookup tool at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov, which shows polling place addresses, sample ballots, and voter registration status. Alabama public election records include voter registration lists (available with restrictions), campaign finance reports filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's Elections Division, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results. The Choctaw County election results are posted after certification and are available through the Probate Judge's office. In the November 2024 presidential election, Choctaw County reported approximately 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters, with results heavily favoring Republican candidates consistent with the county's conservative voting patterns. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Butler and Choctaw County voters will decide several important races: Alabama does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate election is 2028); however, voters will elect Alabama Governor (current term expires 2027), Lieutenant Governor, other statewide constitutional officers, Alabama State Senate District 22 and Alabama State House District 69 representatives, Choctaw County Commission seats, Choctaw County Sheriff, Choctaw County Revenue Commissioner, Choctaw County Probate Judge, circuit and district judges, and potentially Butler city offices if municipal elections align. Alabama voters can request absentee ballots through a written application to the Choctaw County Absentee Election Manager (Probate Judge's office) at least seven days before the election, earlier for military and overseas voters. Absentee ballot applications are available at alabamavotes.gov. Valid excuses for absentee voting in Alabama include being out of the county on election day, illness or physical disability, working a required shift, being a student or military member, being an appointed election officer, and other statutory reasons. Voters age 65 and older can vote absentee without excuse.