Blount County Public Records

Blount County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Oneonta. This north-central Alabama county has about 59,000 residents and provides online access to property and court records through multiple systems.

Blount County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Blount County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees all recording functions. Staff can help you find what you need at the courthouse in Oneonta.

You can visit in person to search records or make copies. The office is on the first floor of the Blount County Courthouse. Bring the property address or grantor and grantee names to make your search faster. Staff will pull books or point you to the right index if you need help.

Recording new documents requires the original plus any required copies. All signatures must be notarized. The clerk will stamp your documents and return the original after recording. Processing typically takes one to three business days for standard filings.

Search Blount County Records Online

Blount County uses the Ingenuity system for online probate records. This portal at ingprobate.com lets you search deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents from your computer. Many Alabama counties use this same system, so the interface may look familiar if you have searched other counties.

To use the system, select Blount County from the list. You can search by name, book and page, or instrument number. The index goes back many years, though older records may not have images attached. Newer documents usually include scanned copies you can view or print.

There is no charge to search the index. Viewing images may require a subscription or per-page fee depending on how the county has set things up. Contact the Probate Court if you have questions about access or pricing for document images.

The online system works well for basic research. But some records are not in the digital system yet. If you cannot find what you need online, the courthouse has complete records going back to the county's founding in 1818. Some very old records were lost to fires, but most survived.

Blount County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Blount County. This is a separate office from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and small claims. The Circuit Clerk also handles traffic cases and appeals.

Blount County is part of the 32nd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk website at blount.alacourt.gov has information about local court procedures. You can find court calendars, filing requirements, and office hours there.

For online case searches, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This statewide system covers all Alabama courts including Blount County. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Additional cases cost $9.99 each. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

The Alacourt system includes both active and closed cases. You can find case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status. Some information may be restricted if the case involves minors or sealed records. Court staff can explain what is available for your specific request.

Blount County Recording Fees

Blount County follows Alabama's standard fee schedule for most recordings. Fees cover the cost of indexing, imaging, and maintaining permanent records. Always confirm current fees before sending payment since rates can change.

Standard fees in Blount County include:

• Deed recording: varies by page count
• Mortgage recording: varies by page count
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $79 (includes state and county portions)

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt secured. These state taxes apply on top of recording fees. The Probate Court collects both when you record a document.

Payment options vary. Call ahead to ask about accepted payment methods. Many Alabama counties now take credit cards but may charge a convenience fee. Cash and checks are usually accepted without extra charges.

Blount County Vital Records

Marriage licenses in Blount County come from the Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage law in 2019. Couples no longer need a ceremony. Instead, both parties fill out an affidavit, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The fee is $79 statewide.

Birth and death certificates are not kept at the county level in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics maintains these records. You can order copies online through the state vital records office or VitalChek. Local health departments can also help with requests.

Divorce records work differently. The Circuit Clerk has divorce case files because divorces go through the court system. The actual divorce decree is a court document, not a vital record. You would request copies from the Circuit Clerk, not the Probate Court.

Blount County Property Records

Property ownership in Blount County is documented through deeds recorded at the Probate Court. When land changes hands, a new deed gets recorded showing the transfer. The county maintains a chain of title you can trace back through prior owners.

To research property, you need either the owner's name or the legal description. The county uses a grantor-grantee index system. Grantors are sellers. Grantees are buyers. Search both indexes to build a complete picture of who owned a property and when.

Mortgages and liens also appear in county records. These show debts attached to property. Before buying land, title companies search these records to make sure the property is clear. You can do your own search, but professionals often catch things regular folks miss.

Tax records are separate from deed records. The Blount County Revenue Commissioner handles property tax assessments and collections. Their office has information about tax values, payment history, and any tax liens on property.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama's public records laws give you the right to access most government records. This includes county records in Blount County. Some records have exemptions for privacy or safety reasons, but most are open to anyone who asks.

For property and probate records, go directly to the Probate Court. You can visit in person, call, or send a written request. Be specific about what you need. Include names, dates, and document types if you know them. The more detail you give, the faster staff can find your records.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk or use the Alacourt online system. Court records requests may take longer if the file is in storage or needs review for sealed information. Standard requests should be filled within a few business days.

Other county records go through the relevant department. The county commission office can direct you to the right place. Under Alabama law, counties must respond to records requests in a reasonable time. Complex requests may take longer than simple ones.

Cities in Blount County

Blount County contains several towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Blount County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Blount County Circuit Court in Oneonta.

The county seat is Oneonta, which has a population of about 6,500. Other communities include Cleveland, Hayden, Locust Fork, Snead, Susan Moore, Highland Lake, and Blountsville. None of these cities are large enough to have separate public records offices. Everything goes through the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Blount County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below.