Dothan Public Records

Dothan public records are filed and maintained through Houston County offices. The city clerk handles some municipal records, but most property and court records go through the county.

Where to Access Public Records in Dothan

Dothan residents can access public records through several offices. The main sources are the Houston County Probate Court for property records, the Circuit Clerk for court records, and the City of Dothan Clerk for municipal records. Each office handles different types of documents, so knowing where to go saves time and effort.

The city serves as the county seat of Houston County. This means most county offices are located right in Dothan. You do not need to travel far to get to the courthouse or administration building. All major government offices are within a few blocks of each other in downtown Dothan.

One thing to know is that Houston County uses a four-day work week. County offices are open Monday through Thursday and closed every Friday. This schedule affects the Probate Court, Circuit Clerk, and other county offices. The City of Dothan keeps its own schedule, which may differ from the county. Always call ahead before you visit, especially during holiday weeks.

City of Dothan Clerk

The City Clerk office handles municipal records for the City of Dothan. This includes city commission meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and some licensing records. If you need records about city government actions, this is the place to start.

Dothan requires a written request for most public records. You can submit your request by mail, in person, or through the city website. The request should include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you want. Be as specific as possible to help staff find what you need.

The city website has a document center where you can find forms, meeting agendas, and other public documents. Many routine records are already posted online. Check there first before you file a formal request. This can save you time if the document is already available for download.

Houston County Records for Dothan Residents

Most public records for Dothan are kept at the county level. Property records like deeds, mortgages, and liens are at the Houston County Probate Court. Court records for civil and criminal cases are at the Circuit Clerk. These offices handle records for all of Houston County, not just Dothan.

The Houston County Probate Court is at 462 N. Oates Street in Dothan. The current Probate Judge is Hon. Patrick H. Davenport. The office handles property recording, marriage licenses, wills, and estate matters. Remember that they are open Monday through Thursday only. They close every Friday.

The Probate Court keeps deeds going back many years. If you need to research property history in Dothan, start here. You can search the grantor and grantee indexes to trace ownership. Newer records may be available online, but older documents often require an in-person visit. Staff can help you find what you need if you know the property address or the names of past owners.

Dothan Court Records

Court records for cases filed in Dothan are kept by the Houston County Circuit Clerk. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and traffic cases. The Circuit Clerk is separate from the Probate Court. If you need court records, go to the courthouse rather than the administration building.

Houston County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit serves only Houston County. Circuit Court handles major civil cases and felony criminal cases. District Court handles smaller claims, misdemeanors, and traffic matters. Both courts operate out of the Houston County Courthouse in Dothan.

You can search court records online through the state Alacourt system. Visit pa.alacourt.com to run a name search or case lookup. The system covers all courts in Houston County. There are fees for searches and document access. A basic 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.

For in-person access, visit the Circuit Clerk at the Houston County Courthouse. The office can provide copies of court documents and help you find specific cases. Bring identification and know as much as you can about the case you are looking for. Having the case number makes the search much faster.

Vital Records for Dothan Residents

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are handled by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state maintains a central vital records office, but you can also get certificates through local health departments. For Dothan residents, the Houston County Health Department is the local option.

Birth certificates cost $15 for a search and one certified copy. Additional copies are $6 each. The same fees apply to death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Birth records less than 125 years old have restrictions on who can order them. Only the person named, parents, or legal representatives can get certified copies of recent birth records.

Marriage licenses in Alabama changed in 2019. There is no longer a ceremony requirement. Couples fill out a marriage license form and file it with the Probate Court. The form must be signed by both parties in front of a notary. Once filed, the marriage is legal. Houston County processes marriage license applications during regular hours Monday through Thursday.

You can order vital records online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The service adds its own processing fee on top of the state fee. Phone orders are also available at 1-888-279-9888. For faster service, visit the Houston County Health Department in person. They can often process requests the same day.

Property Records in Dothan

Property records for Dothan are filed at the Houston County Probate Court. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. When real estate changes hands in Dothan, the new deed is recorded here. When someone takes out a mortgage, that document is also recorded.

Searching property records can be done by name or by property description. If you know the legal description of a property, that is the most exact way to search. If you only have an address, staff can help you find the right parcel. The grantor index lists people who sold or transferred property. The grantee index lists buyers or recipients.

Recording fees in Alabama follow state guidelines with some local variation. Expect to pay around $30 to $50 for the first page of a deed. Additional pages cost $3 to $5 each. Copies of recorded documents run about $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. The Probate Court can give you exact current fees when you call.

Some property records may be available online. The county has been working to digitize records and make them searchable. For older documents, especially those from before the digital era, you may need to visit in person. The staff at the Probate Court can help you search the older records that are not yet online.

Tax Records and Assessments

Property tax records for Dothan are handled by the Houston County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector. The Tax Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Tax Collector sends bills and collects payments. Both offices are in the county administration building in Dothan.

Property tax records show the assessed value of real estate, the amount of taxes owed, and payment history. These records are public. You can look up tax information on any property in Houston County. This is useful when buying property or researching ownership history.

Delinquent property taxes can lead to a tax sale. Houston County holds tax sales periodically to collect unpaid taxes. The Tax Collector maintains records of properties that have been sold for taxes. If you are researching a property, check for any tax sale history.

Vehicle registration and tag renewals are also handled by the county. You can renew your vehicle tag online through altags.com/houston_license. This saves a trip to the courthouse. Pay online with a credit card and your new tag comes in the mail.

Criminal Records in Dothan

Criminal case records from Dothan are kept by the Houston County Circuit Clerk. These include felony cases prosecuted in Circuit Court. Misdemeanor and traffic cases go through District Court. Both types of records are available through the clerk's office or the Alacourt system.

For background checks, you have a few options. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) maintains the state criminal history database. A background check through ALEA costs $25 and requires fingerprinting. You can get your own record or request someone else's with proper authorization.

The Dothan Police Department handles local law enforcement. Arrest records and incident reports are available through the police department. Contact them at (334) 615-3000 for police records. The department is at 210 N. Saint Andrews Street in Dothan.

Some criminal records have restrictions. Juvenile records are generally sealed. Records that have been expunged are no longer available. Alabama law allows expungement of certain offenses after specific conditions are met. If a record has been legally expunged, it will not show up in searches.

Legal Resources for Dothan Residents

Several organizations provide legal help in the Dothan area. Legal Services Alabama serves low-income residents with civil legal matters. They handle housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer issues. Call their intake line to find out if you qualify for free legal assistance.

The Houston County Bar Association can help you find a lawyer. If you need an attorney for a court case, real estate transaction, or other legal matter, they offer referrals. Many lawyers in Dothan handle general practice, family law, criminal defense, and personal injury cases.

For self-help resources, Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has forms and guides. You can find information on common legal issues and step-by-step instructions for court procedures. If you are representing yourself in court, this site can help you understand the process.

The Alabama State Bar also offers a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to connect with an attorney. The first consultation is usually at a reduced rate. This service covers all types of legal matters across the state.

How to Request Public Records in Dothan

The process for requesting public records depends on which office holds the records. City records go through the Dothan City Clerk. County records go through the appropriate county office. Each has its own procedures, though the basic steps are similar.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to residents of Alabama. You may need to show proof of residency when you make a request. A driver's license or other state-issued ID works for this purpose.

The 2024 amendments to Alabama's open records law set response time limits. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 10 business days. They must give a full response within 15 business days for standard requests. Time-intensive requests that take more than 8 hours to process get 45 business days.

Tips for making a public records request in Dothan:

• Be specific about what records you want
• Include names, dates, and reference numbers if you have them
• Ask about fees before the search begins
• Bring ID if you visit in person
• Allow time for the office to process your request
• Put your request in writing when possible

If your request is denied, you can appeal. Ask for a written explanation of why the records are not available. Some records may be exempt from disclosure under state law. Others may be restricted for privacy reasons. If you believe a denial is wrong, consult with an attorney or contact the Alabama Press Association for guidance.

Houston County Public Records

Dothan is in Houston County, and most public records are filed through county offices. The county handles property recording, court cases, marriages, estates, and more. Houston County is Alabama's youngest county, established in 1903. The county seat is Dothan, which makes accessing records convenient for city residents.

View Houston County Public Records