Bullock County Public Records
Bullock County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Union Springs. The county has around 10,000 residents and offers some online access through the state Alacourt system.
Bullock County Quick Facts
Bullock County Probate Court
The Bullock County Probate Court handles property records and vital records. This office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage certificates. The Probate Judge also manages estate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments. All property transfers in Bullock County must be filed here.
The courthouse sits in Union Springs, the county seat. Staff can help you find records and make copies. The office is small, so wait times can vary. Call ahead if you plan to visit for a large records request. The Probate Court also issues marriage licenses and handles name changes.
Bullock County was formed in 1866 from parts of Macon, Montgomery, and Barbour counties. Land records from before 1866 may be in those counties instead. If you cannot find an older deed in Bullock County, check the parent counties where the land was located at the time of the transaction.
| Address |
217 N Prairie Street Union Springs, AL 36089 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 738-3883 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bullock.alacourt.gov |
Search Bullock County Records Online
Bullock County uses the Ingenuity system for some online record access. This is part of the statewide effort to make court records available online. Not all records are online yet. Older records may only be available in person at the courthouse.
The Alacourt system covers court records for Bullock County. You can search case information through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Additional cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
For property records like deeds and mortgages, you may need to visit the Probate Court in person. Bullock County does not have an online portal like some larger counties. The staff can search records for you and provide copies. Some records may be available through title companies that have indexed Bullock County documents.
The Circuit Clerk website at bullock.alacourt.gov has contact details and basic information about court services. This site does not have a public search function. Use AlacourtAccess for case lookups or contact the clerk directly.
Bullock County Court Records
The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Bullock County. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic cases. Bullock County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit along with Barbour County. The circuit shares a District Attorney but has separate courts.
Civil court records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and property matters. The filing fee for a civil case in Alabama is typically around $300, though it can vary based on the case type. Small claims cases under $6,000 go to District Court. Larger amounts go to Circuit Court.
Criminal court records show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. Alabama law says that court records are generally public. However, some records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Some cases may be expunged, which removes them from public view.
Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, and adoption cases. These records are public in Alabama unless sealed by a judge. Protection order cases have some restrictions on access. Ask the clerk about specific record availability.
Bullock County Recording Fees
Bullock County follows the state fee schedule for recording documents. Fees can change, so check with the Probate Court before sending payment. Cash and money orders are usually accepted. Some offices also take checks.
Typical fees for Bullock County include:
- Deed recording: around $10 for first page, $3 each additional
- Mortgage recording: similar to deed fees
- Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
- Certified copy: $2 per page
- Marriage license: around $70
Alabama has a deed tax of $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes apply in addition to recording fees. The Probate Court collects these taxes at the time of recording.
For court records, AlacourtAccess charges its own fees. These are separate from what the clerk charges for in-person copies. If you need certified court documents, you must get them from the Circuit Clerk office.
Bullock County Vital Records
Birth and death certificates in Alabama are handled by the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. The Bullock County Health Department can also help with vital records requests. You will need proper ID to get birth or death records.
Marriage records are kept at the Probate Court. Since 2019, Alabama no longer requires a marriage ceremony. Couples get a marriage certificate from the Probate Court, sign it, and file it within 30 days. The Probate Court can issue copies of marriage certificates for Bullock County.
Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk office where the divorce was filed. If the divorce happened in Bullock County, the Circuit Clerk has those records. For older divorces, check with the clerk about record availability. Some historical records may be in storage or on microfilm.
How to Request Public Records
Alabama has a public records law that gives you the right to access government records. Bullock County offices must respond to requests in a reasonable time. The 2024 changes to Alabama law set a 15 business day deadline for standard requests.
To request records from Bullock County:
- Contact the office that has the records you need
- Put your request in writing if possible
- Be specific about what records you want
- Ask about fees before the search begins
- Provide contact information for follow-up
For property records, contact the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For county government records like budgets or meeting minutes, contact the County Commission office. Each office has its own procedures, but all must comply with public records law.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, medical records, and ongoing investigation files may be withheld. If your request is denied, you can appeal or consult an attorney about your options under Alabama law.
Cities in Bullock County
Bullock County has a few small towns. All of them file property records at the Bullock County Probate Court in Union Springs. Court cases go through the Bullock County Circuit Court.
The main communities in Bullock County are Union Springs (the county seat), Midway, and Fitzpatrick. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all records are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Bullock County. If you need records from a nearby area, pick the county below. Each county has its own Probate Court and Circuit Clerk.
Legal Help in Bullock County
If you need legal help in Bullock County, several options exist. Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to those who qualify based on income. They handle housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits cases.
The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. You can call to get connected with an attorney in your area. Some lawyers offer free consultations. For family law matters, the court clerk can provide forms but cannot give legal advice.
The Bullock County law library is at the courthouse. It has legal resources you can use for research. Public law libraries are open to anyone, not just attorneys. Staff can point you to resources but cannot tell you what forms to use or how to fill them out.