Auburn Public Records
Auburn public records are available through the City Clerk and Lee County offices. As the largest city in Lee County with over 83,000 residents, Auburn offers multiple ways to access government records.
Auburn Quick Facts
Where Auburn Records Are Kept
Auburn public records are split between city and county offices. The City of Auburn handles records it creates, like meeting minutes, permits, and city contracts. Lee County handles property records, court cases, and vital records. Knowing which office has what you need saves time.
For most people, county records are what they want. Property deeds, mortgages, marriage records, and court files all go through Lee County in Opelika. The county seat is just a few miles from Auburn. You can search many of these records online or visit the courthouse in person. Auburn residents use the Lee County Probate Court for land records and the Circuit Clerk for court records.
City records cover things the Auburn city government does. This includes city council actions, building permits, business licenses, and contracts. These are public under Alabama law. You can request them from the City Clerk. The process is simple, though some requests take time to fill.
Auburn City Clerk and Public Records
The Auburn City Clerk handles public records requests for the city government. You can ask for any document the city has unless it falls under a legal exemption. Most city records are open to the public. The clerk can tell you if something is not available and why.
Auburn makes it easy to submit records requests. The city has an online portal at auburnal.gov/public-records-request where you can file your request. You can also submit requests by mail, email, or in person. The online system is the fastest way to get started since it tracks your request automatically.
| Office | Auburn City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 141 N. Ross Street Auburn, AL 36830 |
| Phone | (334) 501-7267 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | auburnal.gov |
The City Clerk also serves as the official record keeper for the Auburn City Council. This means you can get copies of council meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances through this office. These documents show how the city makes decisions. They are useful for research, legal matters, or just staying informed about local government in Auburn.
Auburn Public Records Fees
Auburn charges fees for copies of public records. The basic rate is $0.25 per page for standard copies. This is a common rate across Alabama cities. Certified copies cost more. The exact fee depends on what you need certified.
If your request takes staff time to fill, there may be labor charges. Auburn charges $20 per hour after the first hour of work. Small requests usually fall under the one-hour threshold. Larger requests that need a lot of searching or redaction may cost more. The city will tell you the estimated cost before doing the work.
Here is a breakdown of Auburn copy fees:
- Standard copies: $0.25 per page
- Labor (after first hour): $20 per hour
- Certified copies: Varies by document type
- Electronic delivery: May reduce or eliminate copy fees
Paying electronically often costs less than paper copies. If the city can email you a PDF, you might not pay any copy fee at all. Ask about electronic options when you submit your request. The city prefers this method since it saves time and paper.
Lee County Probate Court Records
Auburn residents get property records from the Lee County Probate Court. This office is in Opelika at the Lee County Courthouse. All deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats for Auburn properties get filed here. The Probate Court also handles marriage licenses for Lee County.
You can search Lee County property records online. The county uses the Ingenuity system at ingprobate.com. Select Lee County from the list to start your search. Basic index info is free. You may need an account to view full document images. This system covers most recent records. Very old documents may only be on paper at the courthouse.
| Court | Lee County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 South 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 |
| Phone | (334) 737-3670 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The drive from Auburn to Opelika takes about 10 minutes. Most Auburn residents find it easy to visit the courthouse when they need records in person. Street parking is available near the courthouse. Bring a valid ID when you go. Staff can help you find records by name, address, or parcel number.
Auburn Court Records
Court records for Auburn cases go through the Lee County court system. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic citations. Lee County is part of the 37th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The Circuit Clerk in Opelika maintains all trial court records.
Search Auburn court records online through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Additional cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This system covers all Alabama courts, so you can search statewide from one place.
The Lee County Circuit Clerk handles:
- Civil lawsuits and judgments
- Criminal cases and sentencing
- Family court (divorce, custody, support)
- Traffic and misdemeanor cases
- Small claims actions
Auburn has a Municipal Court for city ordinance violations. This is separate from the Lee County courts. Municipal Court handles things like parking tickets and minor city code violations. For records from Municipal Court, contact the Auburn court directly rather than the county.
The large student population at Auburn University affects the local courts. Traffic court sees a lot of volume. Landlord-tenant disputes are common due to the rental market. If you are searching for a common name, you may find multiple results. Use case numbers when possible for faster, more accurate searches.
Legal Help in Auburn
Several resources can help Auburn residents who need legal assistance. Some offer free services based on income. Others charge reduced rates for initial consultations. These groups can help you understand public records, court procedures, or find an attorney.
Legal Services Alabama serves Lee County and can help with civil legal matters. They focus on low-income clients. Call their main line at (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify. The Lee County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The Alabama State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660 where a 30-minute consultation costs up to $50.
Auburn University has a Student Legal Services office that helps enrolled students. This is free for students but not open to the general public. The university law school sometimes offers clinics that serve the community. Check with Auburn University for current programs.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free information on many topics. The site includes self-help forms and guides. It covers topics like landlord-tenant law, family court, and small claims. This is a good starting point if you need to handle something on your own.
Auburn University Records
Auburn University is a major institution in the city. The university has its own records that are separate from city and county files. Some university records are public. Others are protected under federal or state law.
Student records fall under FERPA, the federal education privacy law. The university cannot release academic records, grades, or financial aid info without student consent. However, the university does create public records through its operations. Construction contracts, property purchases, and vendor agreements may be available through records requests.
For university-specific records, contact Auburn University directly. The university has its own process for handling requests. State law may require disclosure of certain documents even though the university is not a city or county agency. Faculty and staff salary information, for example, is generally public in Alabama.
The presence of the university affects Auburn public records in several ways. There are more rental properties and thus more landlord-tenant cases. Traffic court stays busy. Name searches often return many results because of the large student population. Keep this in mind when searching for records. Having extra details like dates and addresses helps narrow results.
Lee County Public Records
Auburn is in Lee County, and most official records go through county offices. The Lee County Probate Court handles property records and marriage licenses. The Lee County Circuit Clerk maintains court files. For more on county resources, fees, and online search options, visit the Lee County public records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Auburn may have records you need. Opelika is the Lee County seat and sits just east of Auburn. If you are searching for someone who lived in the area, check both cities. Property and court records go through the same county offices regardless of which city the person lived in.
Smaller cities in the area include Smiths Station and Phenix City. Phenix City is in Russell County across the Chattahoochee River. Records for Phenix City go through Russell County, not Lee County. Be sure you are searching the right county based on where the person actually lived.