Hoover Public Records
Hoover public records are handled by two different county governments. The city spans both Jefferson County and Shelby County, which makes record searches a bit more involved than in most Alabama cities.
Hoover Quick Facts
Hoover Spans Two Counties
Hoover is Alabama's largest suburb and one of the few cities that crosses county lines. The northern and western parts of Hoover sit in Jefferson County. The eastern and southern parts are in Shelby County. This split affects where you search for public records.
Your property address determines which county holds your records. If you live in the Jefferson County portion of Hoover, your deed is at the Jefferson County Probate Court in Birmingham. If you live in the Shelby County portion, your deed is at the Shelby County Probate Court in Columbiana. The same rule applies to court cases, tax records, and most other county-level public records.
Not sure which county your address is in? The Hoover City Clerk can tell you. You can also check your property tax bill or utility bill, which will list the county. The city limits cross Highway 150 in several spots, so some neighbors might be in different counties even on the same street.
Hoover City Clerk
The Hoover City Clerk handles city-level records separate from county records. This office can help with business licenses, city council minutes, ordinances, and general city government records. The clerk does not keep property deeds or court files.
Hoover uses an online form for public records requests. This is the fastest way to get city records. You can submit your request any time and track its status online. The city aims to respond within a few business days for simple requests.
| Address |
100 Municipal Lane Hoover, AL 35216 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 444-7517 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Request | hooveralabama.gov Public Records Form |
City records you can request from the clerk include building permits, zoning documents, city contracts, meeting agendas, budgets, and employee salary information. Most of these are public under Alabama law. Some records may have fees for copies or staff time.
Jefferson County Records for Hoover
About 60% of Hoover falls within Jefferson County. This includes most of the older neighborhoods and the commercial areas along Highway 31. If your property is in this part of Hoover, you will deal with Jefferson County offices for deeds, mortgages, and court matters.
The Jefferson County Probate Court in Birmingham keeps all property records. Their LANDMARK WEB system lets you search records online for free. You pay a small fee to view document images. The index goes back to 1987 for most record types. Older records require an in-person visit.
For court records in the Jefferson County part of Hoover, you go through the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Civil cases, criminal cases, and family court matters are all in their system. Use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com to search online. The Birmingham Division of the court covers Hoover cases from Jefferson County.
| Probate Court |
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 325-5420 |
|---|---|
| Online Records | landmarkweb.jccal.org |
See our full Jefferson County public records page for more details on fees, hours, and search options.
Shelby County Records for Hoover
The remaining 40% of Hoover is in Shelby County. This includes newer developments toward Highway 119 and areas south of Riverchase. Shelby County handles these records at the courthouse in Columbiana, about 25 minutes from Hoover.
Shelby County has good online access for property records. The Probate Court website lets you search deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. The index is comprehensive and covers records from the 1980s forward. Certified copies cost extra but you can view indexes for free.
Court records for the Shelby County portion of Hoover go through the Shelby County Circuit Clerk. This is the 18th Judicial Circuit, separate from Jefferson County's 10th Circuit. A case filed in the wrong county can get dismissed, so knowing your location matters.
| Probate Court |
112 N Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 Phone: (205) 669-3710 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk | Phone: (205) 669-3760 |
Our Shelby County public records page has complete information on searching records from that courthouse.
Types of Public Records in Hoover
Public records available for Hoover residents and properties fall into several categories. Some come from the city and some from the counties. Knowing where to look saves time.
Property Records
Deeds and mortgages are at the county Probate Court based on your address. Title searches, lien searches, and ownership history all start here. Both Jefferson and Shelby counties have online search tools. Property tax records are at the county Tax Assessor office.
Court Records
Civil and criminal cases are at the Circuit Court in your county. Small claims under $6,000 go to District Court. Traffic tickets are in the municipal or district court system. Alacourt covers all of these courts statewide.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are state records through the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Marriage licenses come from the Probate Court in either county. Divorce records are court records at the Circuit Clerk.
Business Records
City business licenses are at Hoover City Hall. State business filings are at the Secretary of State. UCC filings can be at the county or state level depending on the debtor type.
Tips for Searching Hoover Records
The two-county split can make searches tricky. Here are some ways to make it easier.
Start by checking both counties if you are not sure which one you need. A property search that comes up empty in Jefferson County might succeed in Shelby County. The online systems are free to search, so checking both takes just a few extra minutes.
For comprehensive searches, you should really look at both counties anyway. Someone who lived in Hoover for 20 years might have owned properties on both sides of the county line. A thorough background check or asset search should cover Jefferson and Shelby both.
Use the exact spelling on all searches. "Hoover" appears in both county systems but address formats vary. Try the street address without the city name if you get no results. Also try with and without apartment or unit numbers.
Call ahead for complex requests. The staff at both Probate Courts can tell you right away if they have what you need. This is faster than driving to Columbiana only to find out your record is in Birmingham.
Record Fees and Costs
Fees depend on which office provides your records. City fees are different from county fees. Here is what to expect.
The Hoover City Clerk charges based on staff time and copies. Simple requests for a few pages are often free. Larger requests that take staff time to compile can have fees. The clerk will tell you the cost before processing your request.
Jefferson County Probate Court charges $1 per page for regular copies and $2 per page for certified copies. Online image viewing through LANDMARK WEB has per-page fees. Recording fees for new documents follow a state schedule with county additions.
Shelby County fees are similar but not identical. Certified copies and searches have set prices. Check the Shelby County Probate website or call for current rates. Both counties accept cash, check, and credit cards in person. Online payments are available through their portals.
Court records through Alacourt cost $9.99 per name search with one case detail included. Additional cases cost $9.99 each. Document images start at $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
Legal Help in Hoover
Several organizations provide legal assistance to Hoover residents. These can help with record requests, understanding documents, or legal matters that involve public records.
Legal Services Alabama has an office in Birmingham that serves Jefferson and Shelby counties. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. This includes help with family law, housing, consumer issues, and public benefits. Call (205) 328-3540 or visit their website.
The Birmingham Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, you get a consultation with an attorney in the practice area you need. This can help if you have questions about records you have found or need legal advice based on what records show.
The Shelby County Bar Association offers similar services for matters in that county. Because Hoover spans both counties, you might need attorneys licensed in both jurisdictions for some matters.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has self-help resources and forms. You can find information about common legal issues and how public records relate to them. The site is free and covers topics like landlord-tenant law, family court, and small claims.
Hoover's Counties
Hoover sits in two counties with separate record systems. Select the county you need based on your property address or where a case was filed.
Nearby Cities
These major cities are near Hoover. Each has its own page with local public records information.
Other nearby communities include Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Pelham, and Alabaster. These smaller cities file records through their respective county offices.