About Cowarts — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Houston County Jail in Dothan is the primary detention facility for Houston County. During booking, arrestees undergo fingerprinting, photographing, and documentation of personal information. The facility maintains specific visitation rules, including scheduled times and guidelines that all visitors must follow.
Arrest Records
The Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, documenting details about arrests, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys seeking these records must follow procedures outlined by the Alabama Public Records Law when submitting requests to the Sheriff's Office. A typical arrest record in Houston County contains the individual's name, arrest date, charges filed, and booking details. While the public generally has access to these records, certain restrictions may apply depending on the nature of the case or ongoing investigations.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Houston County covers various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which offers reports on an individual's criminal history.
Vital Records
Vital records for Cowarts, including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses, are managed by the Houston County Probate Office in Dothan. Residents can request copies of these important documents by submitting an application to the probate court, either online or by mail. The probate office also oversees the recording of other life events, such as divorces and adoptions, for the Cowarts community.
Business & Licensing Records
The City of Cowarts issues business licenses and handles zoning and permitting for local enterprises. Entrepreneurs can apply for a business license through the city's administration office, while those planning new developments or renovations will work with the planning and zoning department. The Cowarts Industrial Development Board also helps with supporting economic growth and attracting new businesses to the area, helping to expand opportunities for residents and strengthen the local economy.
Economy & Demographics
Cowarts' economy is heavily influenced by its agricultural heritage, with local farms and agribusinesses playing a significant role. The town is home to a variety of small businesses, including retail shops, professional services, and light industrial operations. Major employers in the Cowarts area include the local school district, healthcare providers, and transportation logistics companies. The community's workforce is primarily drawn from the surrounding region, with many residents commuting to jobs in nearby Dothan or other parts of Houston County.
Elections & Voter Records
The Houston County Probate Office is the election authority for Cowarts voters, located at 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303, phone (334) 677-4700. Residents register to vote through the Alabama Secretary of State's online voter registration system at www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration, which requires a valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID. Registration must be completed at least 15 days before an election. Alabama law requires voters to present valid photo identification at polling places, including Alabama driver's license, Alabama non-driver ID, U.S.
Passport, employee ID from federal/state/county/municipal government, student or employee ID from Alabama public college or university, U.S. Military ID, or tribal ID. Municipal elections for the Town of Cowarts include mayor and town council positions, typically held along with other municipal elections in Alabama on the last Tuesday in August. The next municipal election cycle will be in August 2024, followed by August 2028. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Alabama Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov or by contacting the Houston County Probate office. Public election records in Alabama include voter registration lists (available with restrictions to prevent misuse), campaign finance reports filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's office at www.fcpa.alabama.gov, candidate qualification information, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Houston County reported The November 3, 2026 general election will feature important statewide and local races including Alabama's gubernatorial election (Governor Kay Ivey's term expires in 2027, with 2026 elections for the 2027-2031 term), all seven U.S. House seats from Alabama, state legislature seats including Alabama House District 87 which includes Cowarts, constitutional amendment proposals, Houston County Commission seats, Houston County Board of Education positions, and judicial positions. Absentee voting in Alabama requires voters to request an absentee ballot application from the Houston County Absentee Election Manager, complete the application with an acceptable excuse (as Alabama does not have universal no-excuse absentee voting), and submit the ballot by the deadline, typically by close of polls on Election Day. Emergency absentee voting is available for specific circumstances within five days of an election.
Cowarts Public Records Directory
Search county, state, and federal government records serving Cowarts, Alabama.
Public Records Resources for Cowarts, Alabama
Official government websites for Cowarts, Alabama and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org, .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Alabama Criminal Justice Information CenterObtain criminal history of yourself or others, correct or eliminate your criminal history.
- Alabama Criminal Background ChecksFind sources in the state to search criminal records.
- Alabama Federal Bureau of Investigation Birmingham OfficeMake identification record request or conduct criminal background checks.
- Alabama Criminal Trial and Court RecordsObtain on demand access to Alabama criminal trial court records by name or case number.
- Alabama Inmates and Offenders SearchFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Alabama Dept. of Corrections.
- Alabama Most WantedSearch the most wanted fugitives and absconders by the Alabama law enforcement agencies.
- Alabama Department of Public SafetyHighway Patrol, Protective Services, Drivers License and more.
- Alabama Bureau of InvestigationCriminal investigations, latent prints, hazardous devices and more.
- Alabama Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts.
- Alabama Department of Revenue and Property RecordsFree links to property and tax information online instantly.
- Alabama Business And Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Alabama Secretary of State.
- Alabama Department of ArchivesStart your search by accessing government records of land records, county and municipal records, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Cowarts, Alabama?
To register to vote in Cowarts, Alabama, residents can register online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Houston 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 Cowarts, contact the Houston County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Cowarts, Alabama?
Property records for Cowarts, Alabama are maintained by the Houston Revenue Commissioner's Office and the Houston County Probate Judge's Office. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Houston County, including parcels in Cowarts. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Houston 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. For in-person requests, visit the Houston County offices at the county courthouse. The Houston County Revenue Commissioner handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Cowarts, Alabama?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Cowarts, 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 Houston County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Houston 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.