Tuscaloosa Public Records
Tuscaloosa public records are maintained by the City Clerk and Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. As the fifth largest city in Alabama with over 114,000 residents, Tuscaloosa provides multiple ways to access city and county records.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Which County Handles Tuscaloosa Records
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County. All property records, marriage records, and probate matters for Tuscaloosa residents go through the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The courthouse is right in downtown Tuscaloosa, which makes it easy to get records in person.
The Probate Court offers free online access to many records. You can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage records without paying a fee to look. You only pay if you need certified copies or want to download documents. This is one of the better systems in Alabama for public access.
Court records like civil cases, criminal cases, and family matters are handled by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. These records are part of the statewide Alacourt system. Both courts are in the same downtown area, so you can visit both in one trip if you need different types of records.
Tuscaloosa City Clerk
The City Clerk handles city government records for Tuscaloosa. This includes meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other municipal documents. The clerk also processes public records requests for city departments.
Tuscaloosa has a formal process for public records requests. You can submit requests through their online system. The city tries to respond within a reasonable time, though complex requests may take longer. Simple requests for meeting minutes or ordinances are usually quick.
| City Clerk Office |
2201 University Blvd Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone: (205) 248-5010 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Records Request | tuscaloosa.com/government/city-clerk/public-records-request |
| 311 Service | Dial 311 for city information and services |
Search Tuscaloosa Records Online
You have several options to search Tuscaloosa records online. The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court website has free access to property records. You can search by name, address, or document type. The index goes back many years, and you can view many document images for free.
For court records, use the statewide Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com. This covers all Tuscaloosa County courts. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each additional case costs $9.99. Document images start at $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
The city has a 311 service for general information. You can dial 311 from within Tuscaloosa to get help with city services, find the right department, or ask about public records. This is useful when you are not sure where to start looking for specific records.
Some records are easier to find than others. Property records and court cases have good online access. City records like contracts and meeting minutes usually require a formal request. Vital records like birth and death certificates go through the state health department or the county health office.
Tuscaloosa County Probate Court
The Probate Court is in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse downtown. This is where you get property records, file deeds, and apply for marriage licenses. The office also handles estate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, right of way documents, plats, and surveys. You can search the index for free online. If you need a certified copy, the fee is $1 per page plus a certification fee. Plat copies cost more because of their size.
| Probate Court |
714 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone: (205) 349-3870 |
|---|---|
| Recording Office | Phone: (205) 349-3870 ext. 4 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Records | tuscco.com/probate-court |
Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Alabama no longer requires a ceremony. You fill out the marriage certificate application, both parties sign it, and you submit it to the Probate Court. The fee is $90. The license is valid for 30 days from the date you submit the application. After it is recorded, you can get certified copies of the marriage certificate from this office.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Clerk handles all trial court records in Tuscaloosa County. This covers civil lawsuits, criminal cases, domestic relations, and appeals. Tuscaloosa is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit, which also includes parts of surrounding counties.
You can search court records through the Alacourt portal. The system shows case summaries and party names for free. To see case details or download documents, you need to pay. Most people use the online system for quick lookups. For detailed research, you may want to visit the clerk office in person.
The Circuit Clerk office is in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can request copies in person or by mail. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a certification fee.
Criminal background checks require a different process. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency handles state criminal history checks. You can request your own record or, with proper authorization, request someone else's record. Some employers use third party services that pull from multiple sources.
University of Alabama Records
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. The university has its own police department that maintains arrest records and incident reports. These are separate from city and county records. You request them from the UA Police Department, not the city or county.
Student records are protected by federal law. The university does not release academic records or enrollment information without student consent. Degree verification goes through the registrar or the National Student Clearinghouse. This is standard at all universities.
The university is a state agency, so some administrative records may be subject to public records requests under Alabama law. This includes contracts, salary information for employees, and meeting minutes for board meetings. Contact the university compliance office for these requests.
How to Request Public Records
The process depends on what type of record you need. Here is a quick guide to help you start in the right place.
Property records: Go to the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. Search free online first. If you need certified copies, request them in person, by mail, or through the online system if available.
Court records: Use the Alacourt system online. For older records or documents not online, contact the Circuit Clerk. You can request copies by mail with a money order for payment.
City records: Use the city clerk public records request form. Be specific about what you want. The more detail you provide, the faster they can find it. Meeting minutes and ordinances are usually available quickly.
Vital records: Birth and death certificates come from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics or the county health department. Marriage certificates come from the Probate Court where the license was filed.
Police records: Incident reports come from the agency that handled the call. For city of Tuscaloosa incidents, contact the Tuscaloosa Police Department. For county incidents, contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff. For university incidents, contact UA Police.
Response times vary. The 2024 changes to Alabama public records law set a 15 business day deadline for standard requests. Complex requests may take longer. The agency should tell you if they need more time and give you a reason.
Tuscaloosa Records Fees
Fees vary by agency and record type. Here are common costs you may encounter when getting records in Tuscaloosa.
- Probate Court copies: $1 per page
- Certified copies: $1 per page plus certification fee
- Marriage license: $90
- Alacourt name search: $9.99
- Alacourt case detail: $9.99 each
- Alacourt documents: $5.00 for first 20 pages
- City records: May vary by department
Some searches are free. The Probate Court online index is free to search. Alacourt lets you search names and see basic case information for free. You only pay when you need details or copies.
Nearby Cities
These Alabama cities are near Tuscaloosa. If you need records from a neighboring area, select a city below.
Northport is just across the river but does not have its own page since records are handled at the county level. All Northport property and court records go through Tuscaloosa County offices.
Tuscaloosa County Records
For comprehensive information about all records in Tuscaloosa County, visit the county page. This covers all cities and unincorporated areas in the county.