Florala, Alabama Public Records

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and child custody, and appeals from lower courts. The Covington County District Court, also at the courthouse (phone: 334-428-2620), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases under $10,000, small claims up to $6,000, evictions, and preliminary hearings. The Covington County Probate Court (phone: 334-428-2550) handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and marriage licenses. Alabama provides limited online court record access through Alacourt.com, a paid subscription service ($25/month or $0.10-$1.25 per document) that allows searching of circuit and district court cases statewide. The Circuit Clerk's office charges $1.00 per page for regular copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Probate record copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee if needed.

Covington County offers online property record searches through the Alabama Department of Revenue's property search portal and through the Revenue Commissioner's website, where residents can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to view current assessments, property characteristics, and tax information free of charge. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other property transfers, residents must contact the Covington County Probate Judge's Office at the Covington County Courthouse, 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420 (phone: 334-428-2550). Alabama probate courts serve as the recorder of deeds in each county. The Covington County Probate Office maintains land records dating back to the county's formation in 1821. Recorded documents can be searched by grantor/grantee name, book and page number, or legal description. The office charges $7.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for recording documents. Copies cost $1.00 per page. The county has begun digitizing recent records, with some accessible online through a subscription-based service, though many historical records require in-person research at the courthouse.

Covington County's agricultural sector, including poultry farming and timber production, provides employment and economic activity that extends to Florala. The Florala City School System employs teachers, administrators, and support staff, making education another key employment sector. Lake Jackson State Park and associated recreational businesses including marinas, campgrounds, and vacation rentals drive seasonal tourism revenue. The median household income in Florala is approximately $31,000-35,000, somewhat below both state and national averages, reflecting the city's rural character and limited industrial base. Recent economic development efforts have focused on expanding recreational amenities around Lake Jackson and attracting retirees from both Alabama and Florida to the area's affordable housing and lakefront property. Florala's unique position on the state line creates both opportunities and challenges, as businesses must navigate dual-state regulations while accessing markets in both states. The city's economy is closely tied to Covington County's broader economic trends, including poultry processing in nearby Andalusia and agricultural production throughout the county.

The Florala Police Department, headquartered at 530 4th Avenue, Florala, AL 36442 (phone: 334-858-6611), serves the incorporated city limits of Florala. The department maintains incident reports, accident reports, and other local law enforcement records. To request police reports, residents can visit the police department in person during business hours or call to inquire about the process. Outside city limits, law enforcement is provided by the Covington County Sheriff's Office, located at 19371 Highway 55, Andalusia, AL 36420 (phone: 334-428-2600, website: www.covingtoncountysheriff.com). The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Covington County and provides support to municipal agencies. For arrest records and jail bookings, the Covington County Detention Facility maintains an inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office. The roster typically displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes mugshots. Under Alabama's Open Records Act (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40 et seq.), law enforcement agencies must provide access to public records upon request, though certain investigative records and confidential information may be exempt. Alabama Code § 12-21-6.1 specifically addresses public access to criminal records. Requesters should submit written requests identifying the specific records sought, and agencies may charge reasonable copying fees. Response times vary, but agencies generally must respond within a reasonable timeframe as defined by Alabama case law.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com) with additional processing fees, typically totaling around $30-35 per certificate with expedited shipping. Processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks by mail, 2-3 weeks online. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest may request certified copies, and valid photo ID is required. Marriage licenses for Florala residents are issued by the Covington County Probate Court, 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420 (phone: 334-428-2550). As of January 1, 2019, Alabama no longer issues traditional marriage licenses; instead, couples submit a marriage certificate form directly to the probate court with a $74.00 fee. No ceremony or waiting period is required. Marriage records are public and can be searched at the Probate Court. Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court clerk where the divorce was granted. Historical marriage records dating to the 1800s are available at the Covington County Probate Court, while death certificates before 1908 may be found in county probate records.

Fictitious business name registrations (DBA - "doing business as") in Alabama are filed with the Covington County Probate Court, 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420 (phone: 334-428-2550). The filing fee is approximately $15-35, and DBAs must be renewed every five years. The probate office maintains an index of registered trade names searchable in person. For formal business entities including corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and nonprofits, formation and registration occurs with the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state maintains a free online business entity search at www.sos.alabama.gov/business-services/business-entity-records where anyone can search by business name or entity number to verify registration status, view registered agents, filing dates, and current status. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches and filings are also handled by the Alabama Secretary of State and searchable online. Commercial property tax assessments for businesses operating in Florala can be researched through the Covington County Revenue Commissioner's Office, which maintains separate commercial property records with assessed values, improvements, and tax payment status accessible online through the county's property search portal.

Florala voters participate in federal, state, county, and municipal elections, with election administration handled by the Covington County Probate Judge, who serves as the county's chief election official. The Covington County Probate Court is located at 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420 (phone: 334-428-2550, website: www.covingtonprobate.com). Alabama residents can register to vote online through the Alabama Secretary of State's website at www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration, or by completing a paper form and submitting it to the Probate Judge's office. Voters must register at least 15 days before an election. A valid Alabama driver's license or non-driver ID is required for registration. Florala holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions every four years, with the most recent in 2024. The city council consists of five members elected to staggered four-year terms. Local ballot measures, if any, appear on municipal election ballots, which are administered separately from federal and state elections. Florala residents can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Covington County Probate Judge's office or using the Alabama Secretary of State's polling place lookup at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov. In the November 2024 presidential election, Covington County reported approximately 12,500 registered voters with turnout exceeding 65%, reflecting strong participation. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Alabama voters will decide contested races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, all seven U.S. House seats, state legislative seats (all 105 House seats and approximately 12 of 35 Senate seats), and various county offices including sheriff, revenue commissioner, and probate judge. The U.S. Senate seat is not up in 2026 as Alabama's senators are in different election cycles. Florala city offices are not on the 2026 ballot following 2024 municipal elections. Under Alabama law, absentee ballots are available for voters who are absent from the county on election day, ill or physically disabled, work required shifts preventing voting, election workers, students, and those over age 65. Applications must be submitted to the Probate Judge's office and can be requested online at www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting. Alabama maintains public voter registration lists and campaign finance disclosures through the Alabama Secretary of State, with candidate filings and precinct-level election results publicly accessible.