Madison City Public Records
Public records for Madison residents are maintained by both the City of Madison and Madison County. The city handles its own public records requests while the county manages property records and court files.
Madison Quick Facts
City of Madison Public Records
The City of Madison maintains its own set of public records separate from the county. These include city council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, permits, and administrative files. The city has a formal public records request process that goes through the City Clerk office. Madison is the fastest-growing city in Alabama, so records volume has grown a lot in recent years.
To request city records in Madison, you can use the online request portal or contact the City Clerk directly. The city follows Alabama open records law under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. This law says public records must be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. The city charges fees based on how long it takes staff to find and copy your records.
| Office | City of Madison City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Hughes Road Madison, AL 35758 |
| Phone | (256) 772-5610 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Request | madisonal.gov/191/Requests-for-Public-Records |
Madison City Records Fees
The City of Madison uses a tiered fee structure for public records requests. Fees depend on how much time staff spend finding and copying your records. Simple requests that take little time may be free. More complex requests that need staff to search through files or redact sensitive info will cost more. This system aims to balance public access with the cost of staff time.
The fee tiers work like this: requests that take under 15 minutes are often free or have just a small copy charge. Requests that need 15 to 60 minutes of staff time have a set fee. Anything over an hour gets charged by the hour at the staff rate. The city will tell you the expected cost before they start work on your request. You can decide to pay or narrow your request to cut the cost.
Copy fees in Madison are standard. Plain copies run about 10 cents per page. Certified copies cost more since they need an official seal. Large requests may take a few days to fill. The clerk office can give you a time estimate when you submit your request. Payment is due before you pick up the records. The city accepts cash, check, and credit cards at the clerk window.
Madison County Property Records
Property records for Madison are kept at the Madison County Probate Court in Huntsville. This is the same for all cities in Madison County. The Probate Court handles deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfers. Judge Frank Barger serves as the Probate Judge and chief custodian of these records. The courthouse is in downtown Huntsville, about 10 miles from Madison city center.
The good news for Madison residents is that Madison County offers FREE online access to property records. You can search the county database without paying any fees. This is not common in Alabama since many counties charge for online access. The county has digitized records going back many decades, so you can find older property records from home. Only viewing document images has a small fee in some cases.
| Office | Madison County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Northside Square Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge |
To search Madison County property records online, visit the county land records portal. You can look up deeds by owner name, parcel number, or address. The system shows the document type, recording date, and book and page numbers. You can view many documents for free. Some images need a small payment to download. The online system works well for basic title searches and checking property history in Madison.
Court Records for Madison Residents
Madison is in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. All court cases for Madison residents go through Madison County courts in Huntsville. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, traffic cases, and small claims. The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court files. You can search these through the state Alacourt system that covers all Alabama courts.
AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you search Madison County court records online. 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. This is the fastest way for Madison residents to find court records without driving to Huntsville. The system has records from district court, circuit court, and municipal court.
For in-person access, go to the Madison County Courthouse at 100 Northside Square in Huntsville. The Circuit Clerk office handles records requests. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies from the file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. You can also use AlaFile at alafile.alacourt.gov to file court papers online if you have a case in Madison County.
Vital Records for Madison
Vital records like birth and death certificates are handled by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Madison residents can get these at the Madison County Health Department in Huntsville. The county office is often faster than the state office in Montgomery. You can also order vital records online through VitalChek, though this adds a service fee.
Marriage licenses for Madison residents are issued by the Madison County Probate Court. Alabama ended the wedding ceremony requirement in 2019. Now you just fill out a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and file it with the probate court. The fee is $70 for a marriage license in Madison County. Both parties must appear with valid ID. The probate court in Huntsville handles all marriage records for Madison.
Divorce records for Madison are at the Circuit Clerk office since divorces go through circuit court. You can search divorce cases on Alacourt or visit the clerk in Huntsville. The Alabama Department of Public Health also issues divorce verification letters that prove a divorce took place, though these have less detail than court records. The state has divorce records from 1950 to present.
Types of Public Records in Madison
Madison residents have access to many types of public records. Some come from the city, others from the county, and some from state agencies. Knowing where to look saves time. Here is a quick guide to the main record types and where to find them for Madison.
City of Madison records include:
- City council meeting minutes and agendas
- Ordinances and resolutions
- Building permits and inspections
- Business licenses
- City contracts and bids
- Zoning records and variances
- City employee salary info
- Police reports (non-exempt portions)
Madison County records include:
- Property deeds and mortgages
- Property tax records
- Court case files
- Marriage records
- Probate and estate files
- Liens and judgments
- Plat maps and surveys
State records for Madison residents include criminal history checks through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, business entity records from the Secretary of State, and professional license records from various boards. The state also keeps vital records and maintains the statewide court database through Alacourt.
Legal Help in Madison
Several groups offer legal help to Madison residents. Some provide free aid based on income. Others offer a first meeting at a low cost. These resources can help you understand how to get records, file court papers, or handle legal matters in Madison County.
Legal Services Alabama serves Madison County from their Huntsville office. They help low-income residents with civil legal matters at no cost. Call (256) 536-9645 to ask about services or check if you qualify. Their main intake line is (866) 456-4995. They focus on housing, family law, and benefits cases. The website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info on what they offer to Madison residents.
The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program helps residents who cannot afford an attorney. The Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (256) 539-2275. The first meeting is a flat fee, usually around $50 for 30 minutes. This is a good way to get quick legal advice without a big commitment. The Alabama State Bar also has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free guides and forms for people who need to handle legal matters on their own. The site covers topics like small claims, landlord issues, family law, and public records requests. Madison residents can use these resources to learn about their rights and find the right forms without hiring a lawyer.
How to Request Public Records in Madison
Getting public records in Madison is pretty simple once you know where to go. The process depends on what type of record you need. City records go through the city clerk. County records go through the relevant county office. Here are the basic steps for each.
For city records, visit the Madison public records request page at madisonal.gov/191/Requests-for-Public-Records. Fill out the online form with your name, contact info, and a clear description of what records you need. Be as specific as you can. Vague requests take longer and may cost more. The city will respond with a cost estimate. Pay the fee and pick up your records or have them mailed.
For county property records, use the Madison County online portal for free searches. If you need certified copies or older records not online, visit the Probate Court in Huntsville. For court records, use Alacourt online or visit the Circuit Clerk. Bring valid ID for in-person requests. Staff can help you find what you need.
Under Alabama law, agencies have a reasonable time to respond. There is no set deadline, but most requests are filled within a few days to a few weeks. Complex requests take longer. If an agency denies your request or delays too long, you can file a complaint with the Alabama Attorney General. However, most records requests in Madison go smoothly when you follow the proper steps.
Madison County Public Records
Madison is in Madison County, and most official records are kept at the county level in Huntsville. The county Probate Court handles property records. The Circuit Clerk handles court files. Madison County has good online access with free property record searches. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and other resources, visit the Madison County public records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Madison and may share some county resources. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the city below.
Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County and the largest city in the area. It is about 10 miles from downtown Madison. Both cities use the same county courts and probate office for official records.