Montgomery Public Records

Montgomery public records are available through the City Clerk, Montgomery County Probate Court, and state agencies based in the capital.

Montgomery City Clerk Records

The Montgomery City Clerk maintains city government records. This office handles public records requests for city departments, boards, and commissions. The City Clerk is separate from county offices. If you need records from city government, this is where to start. Many people confuse city and county records, but they are kept by different offices with their own systems.

Montgomery is the state capital of Alabama. As such, it has both city records and serves as the hub for state agencies. The City Clerk office is at City Hall on North Perry Street in downtown Montgomery. The building is near the state capitol complex, within walking distance of many government offices. Street parking is available, though it can fill up during business hours.

The City Clerk keeps a wide range of records. These include meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and correspondence. Business license records are also here. If you need proof of a business license or want to check if a company is registered in Montgomery, the City Clerk can help. Staff can search records and make copies for you.

How to Request Montgomery City Records

Montgomery uses an online form for public records requests. You can submit a request at any time through the city website. The form asks for your contact info and a description of the records you want. Be as specific as you can. Include dates, names, and the type of document if you know it. This helps staff find what you need faster.

You can also email your request directly to recordsrequest@montgomeryal.gov. Put "Public Records Request" in the subject line. In the body, describe what records you need. Include your name, address, phone number, and how you want to receive the records. You can ask for copies by mail, email, or pick up in person.

Phone requests work for simple lookups. Call (334) 625-2096 during business hours. Staff can check if a record exists and tell you how to get it. For complex requests, they may ask you to put it in writing. This protects both you and the city by creating a clear record of what you asked for.

In-person visits are also an option. Go to City Hall at 103 North Perry Street. The City Clerk office can help you search records and make copies on the spot. Bring a valid photo ID. If you need many copies, call ahead to make sure staff can assist you when you arrive.

Montgomery City Records Fees

Montgomery charges fees for public records to cover the cost of searching and copying. The fee structure depends on the type of request and how much work it takes to fill it.

Standard fees for Montgomery city records:

• Minimum charge: $25.00 per report
• Additional pages: $1.50 per page
• Non-routine requests: 50% deposit required
• Certified copies: additional fee applies

The $25 minimum applies to most requests. This covers basic search time and a limited number of pages. If your request needs more than the base amount, you pay $1.50 for each extra page. Large requests may need a deposit before work begins.

Non-routine requests take more staff time. These include requests that need legal review, involve sensitive information, or require searching old archives. For these, the city may ask for half the estimated cost up front. You pay the balance when you pick up the records.

Payment methods vary. Cash and checks are usually accepted. Some offices take credit cards. Ask when you submit your request what payment forms they take. For mail requests, send a check payable to City of Montgomery. Do not send cash through the mail.

Montgomery County Records

Property records and court records for Montgomery residents are handled at the county level. The city does not keep these. You need to go to the Montgomery County Probate Court for deeds, mortgages, and other land records. Court cases go through the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

The Probate Court offers online access to land records. You can search the index for free at pjr.mc-ala.org/weblandrecord. This lets you look up deeds, mortgages, and liens without going to the courthouse. Some document images are available online too. For older records or certified copies, contact the Probate Court directly.

Montgomery County also offers a subscription service for regular users. The Probate Court charges $10 per month for full access to the online records system. This works well for title companies, attorneys, and others who search records often. Casual users can still search for free with some limits.

For detailed info on county records, fees, and contact information, visit the Montgomery County public records page.

View Montgomery County Public Records

Court Records in Montgomery

Montgomery residents have their court cases heard at the Montgomery County Circuit Court. This covers civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases. The city has no separate court system. All cases go through the county court in the 15th Judicial Circuit.

You can search Montgomery 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. This covers all courts in Montgomery County.

The Circuit Clerk office is at the Montgomery County Courthouse. You can visit in person to search records or get copies. Staff can help you find cases by name or case number. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (334) 832-1230 for current fees and hours.

Some records have restricted access. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile records have limited access. Cases under seal by court order are not public. The clerk can tell you if a record is available before you pay any fees.

State Records in Montgomery

As the state capital, Montgomery is home to many Alabama agencies that keep public records. These are not city or county records but state records. If you need records from a state agency, you may be able to visit the office in person since most are based in Montgomery.

Key state agencies in Montgomery include:

• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Criminal history checks, driver records, vehicle records
• Center for Health Statistics - Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
• Secretary of State - Business filings, UCC records, notary records
• Department of Revenue - Tax records and business tax filings
• State Archives - Historical records and government archives

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is at 624 Washington Avenue in Montgomery. This is a great resource for historical records and genealogy research. The archives hold government records, newspapers, photographs, and other materials dating back to the 1800s. Admission is free and staff can help with research.

For vital records like birth and death certificates, the Center for Health Statistics is at the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery. You can order copies in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Alabama vital records are not fully open to the public. You must show you have a legal right to the record before they will give you a copy.

Historical Records in Montgomery

Montgomery has a rich history that is reflected in its public records. The city served as the first capital of the Confederacy in 1861. It was also central to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many historical records related to these events are preserved in Montgomery archives.

The Rosa Parks arrest records, Freedom Riders documents, and Selma to Montgomery March permits are among the civil rights materials held in various Montgomery archives. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has extensive civil rights collections. Researchers come from around the world to study these records.

Local court records from the civil rights era are also significant. Cases related to bus boycotts, sit-ins, and voting rights were heard in Montgomery courts. Some of these records are now historical documents. The Circuit Clerk and federal courts in Montgomery hold case files from this period.

The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor, is a few blocks from City Hall. The church keeps its own archives related to the civil rights movement. If you are researching this period, multiple sources in Montgomery can help.

Montgomery Police Records

The Montgomery Police Department handles requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other police records. This is separate from the City Clerk. Police records go through the Police Department Records Unit.

You can request incident reports in person at the Montgomery Police headquarters. Accident reports may also be available online through a third-party vendor. Check the police department website for current options. Fees apply for copies of police reports.

Background checks for employment or other purposes do not go through the city police. These are handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) through their criminal history system. ALEA can provide official background checks that most employers and agencies accept.

Some police records are not public. Records of ongoing investigations are usually not released. Juvenile records have special protections. Victim information may be redacted from public reports. If a record is not available, staff will tell you why.

Legal Help in Montgomery

Several organizations in Montgomery offer legal help to people who need it. As the state capital, the city has more legal resources than most places in Alabama. These groups can help with records requests, court matters, and understanding your rights.

Legal Services Alabama has an office in Montgomery at 500 Bell Building, Dexter Avenue. They give free legal help to people with low income. Services cover family law, housing, public benefits, and other civil matters. Call (334) 264-1471 to ask if you qualify.

The Montgomery County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, you can get a consultation with a local attorney. This helps if you have questions about legal documents or need help with a court case. The service connects you with lawyers who practice the type of law you need.

The Alabama State Bar is also based in Montgomery. They have resources for the public on their website, including guides to common legal issues. The state bar cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to resources that might help. Their office is at 415 Dexter Avenue.

Nearby Cities

Montgomery is the largest city in the River Region of central Alabama. Other major cities in Alabama each have their own public records resources.

Smaller communities near Montgomery include Prattville (in Autauga County), Millbrook (partly in Elmore County), Pike Road, and Wetumpka. For records from these areas, check the county pages for Autauga and Elmore counties.

Tips for Records Requests

Getting public records in Montgomery goes smoother when you know what to ask for. Here are some tips that help with requests.

Know which office has your records. City records are at City Hall. County records are at the Probate Court or Circuit Clerk. State records are at state agencies. If you ask the wrong office, they may be able to point you in the right direction, but it saves time to start at the right place.

Be specific in your request. Instead of asking for "all records about John Smith," ask for "city council meeting minutes from January 2024 that mention John Smith." The more detail you give, the easier it is for staff to find what you need. Vague requests take longer and cost more.

Ask about fees before you commit. Get an estimate of what your request will cost. Some records are free. Others cost a lot if they involve many pages or staff hours. Knowing the cost up front lets you decide if you want to proceed or narrow your request.

Allow time for the response. Simple requests may be filled same day. Complex requests can take weeks. Under Alabama law, agencies have guidelines for response times, but some records take longer to locate and prepare. If you have a deadline, mention it in your request.