Birmingham Public Records
Birmingham public records are available through City Hall and Jefferson County offices. As the largest city in Alabama, Birmingham maintains extensive city records while the county handles court and property filings.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Birmingham City Clerk Records
The Birmingham City Clerk handles public records requests for city government documents. This office maintains records created by the city, including meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and correspondence. The City Clerk sits on the third floor of Birmingham City Hall in downtown. Staff can help you find city records and make copies for a small fee.
Birmingham uses a formal records request process. You can submit requests by email, mail, or in person. The city must acknowledge your request within 10 days. After that, they have 15 business days to respond with the records or let you know why they need more time. This timeline comes from the Alabama Open Records Act changes made in 2024.
| Office | Birmingham City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Birmingham City Hall, 3rd Floor 710 North 20th Street Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 254-2290 |
| Records Line | (205) 254-2296 |
| recordsrequest@birminghamal.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
To request public records in Birmingham, you need to prove Alabama residency. This is a state requirement under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Bring a valid Alabama driver's license or state ID when you visit. For email or mail requests, include a copy of your ID. Out-of-state residents cannot access Alabama public records under the law. The copy fee is $0.50 per page for most documents.
How to Request Birmingham Public Records
Birmingham offers three ways to submit public records requests. Each method works, but response times may vary. Email is often the fastest way to start a request since staff can begin processing it right away.
The main ways to request records in Birmingham:
- Email your request to recordsrequest@birminghamal.gov
- Call the records line at (205) 254-2296
- Visit City Hall in person at 710 North 20th Street
- Mail a written request to the City Clerk
When you submit a request, be as specific as you can. Include dates, names, departments, or any other details that help staff find the right records. Vague requests take longer to process. If you ask for "all emails from 2024," that could mean thousands of documents. A better ask might be "emails from the Planning Department about the Southside rezoning project from January to March 2024."
The city will acknowledge your request within 10 days. This does not mean the records will be ready in 10 days. It just means they got your request and are working on it. The full response should come within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer if the city needs more time to gather documents from multiple departments.
Some records may be denied. Alabama law exempts certain documents from public access. Personnel records, ongoing investigations, attorney-client communications, and trade secrets are common exemptions. If the city denies your request, they must tell you why and cite the specific law that applies. You can appeal a denial to the Attorney General's office.
Jefferson County Records for Birmingham
Many public records in Birmingham go through Jefferson County offices rather than City Hall. Property records, court cases, marriage licenses, and vital records all fall under county control. The county has two divisions, and Birmingham uses the Birmingham Division for most matters. The county seat is in downtown Birmingham, so the drive is not far from City Hall.
The Jefferson County Probate Court handles property records for Birmingham residents. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. The Probate Court also issues marriage licenses and keeps those records. You can search property records online through the LANDMARK WEB portal at landmarkweb.jccal.org. Registration is free, but you pay per-page fees to view document images.
| Probate Court | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 325-5420 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 400 Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 325-5355 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Court records for Birmingham go through the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases are all there. You can search court records online through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
Types of Public Records in Birmingham
Birmingham residents can access many types of public records. Different offices handle different record types. Knowing where to look saves time and helps you get records faster. Here is a breakdown of the main record types and where to find them.
City Government Records (Birmingham City Clerk):
- City Council meeting minutes and agendas
- Ordinances and resolutions
- Contracts and vendor agreements
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Building permits and inspection records
- Business licenses
- Zoning and planning documents
Court Records (Jefferson County Circuit Clerk):
- Civil case filings and judgments
- Criminal case records
- Family court cases including divorce
- Traffic violations
- Probate matters
Property Records (Jefferson County Probate Court):
- Deeds and titles
- Mortgages and liens
- Plats and surveys
- Easements
- Marriage licenses
Vital Records (Jefferson County Health Department):
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
Birmingham Public Records Fees
Fees for public records in Birmingham vary by document type and which office holds them. City Hall charges $0.50 per page for standard copies. County offices have their own fee schedules. Some searches are free, but getting actual copies of documents always costs money.
Birmingham City Clerk fees:
- Standard copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: varies by document
- Research time: may apply for complex requests
Jefferson County Probate Court fees:
- Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
- Certified copy: $2 per page
- Plat copies: $15 each
- Online image viewing: per-page fee
Payment methods vary by office. City Hall takes cash, check, and credit cards. Some county offices may not take credit cards for small amounts. Call ahead to confirm what payment they accept before you visit. For mail requests, send a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail.
Alabama Open Records Act
The Alabama Open Records Act gives residents the right to inspect and copy public records. This law covers all government agencies in the state, including Birmingham city government. The law changed in 2024 to add clearer timelines and fee limits. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, only Alabama residents can request public records. This is different from many other states that let anyone request records.
The 2024 changes to Alabama's public records law made several improvements. Agencies must now acknowledge requests within 10 days. They must respond within 15 business days for standard requests. Fees are capped at actual costs. Agencies cannot charge for staff time on the first hour of work. These rules apply to Birmingham and all other government bodies in the state.
If an agency denies your request, you have options. Ask for a written denial with the specific exemption cited. You can appeal to the Alabama Attorney General. You can also file a lawsuit in circuit court. Most disputes get resolved without going to court. Often a phone call or meeting with the agency clears up misunderstandings about what records you need.
Legal Help in Birmingham
Several groups offer legal help in Birmingham. Some provide free services to people with low income. Others offer reduced-cost consultations. These resources can help if you have trouble getting public records or need help understanding what you received.
Legal Services Alabama has its main office in Birmingham at 500 Bell Building, 207 Montgomery Street. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call (205) 328-3540 or the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995. Their website is legalservicesalabama.org.
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program helps low-income residents with legal issues. Call (205) 250-5198 to check if you qualify. The Birmingham Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (205) 251-8006. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. The Jefferson County Law Library in the courthouse has free resources. Call (205) 325-5628 or visit lawlib.jccal.org.
Birmingham Civil Rights Records
Birmingham played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement. The city holds unique historical records from that era. Researchers and historians often request documents related to the 1963 protests, the Birmingham Campaign, and other civil rights events. Some of these records are at City Hall, while others are in the Birmingham Public Library archives.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at 520 16th Street North has extensive archives. They hold photographs, documents, oral histories, and artifacts from the movement. Some materials are available for research by appointment. The institute is separate from city government but works with the city on historical preservation. Contact them at (205) 328-9696 or visit bcri.org for research inquiries.
The Birmingham Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts has government records, personal papers, and photographs. Their collection includes materials from city departments, local businesses, and community organizations. The Linn-Henley Research Library at 2100 Park Place has the main archives collection. Call (205) 226-3665 for research appointments.
Jefferson County Public Records
Birmingham is in Jefferson County, and many records are handled at the county level. The county court system, probate court, and tax assessor all maintain records that affect Birmingham residents. For full details on county offices, online search portals, and the LANDMARK WEB system, visit the Jefferson County public records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Birmingham also have public records available through their local offices and Jefferson County.
Other nearby cities in Jefferson County include Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Trussville, Gardendale, and Irondale. These smaller cities file records through Jefferson County offices.