Calhoun County Public Records

Calhoun County public records are managed by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Anniston. With a population of about 115,000, the county serves residents across northeast Alabama through both in-person and online access options.

Calhoun County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Anniston handles property records for all of Calhoun County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also oversees estate matters and mental health commitments. Staff can help you search for records or get certified copies of documents you need.

The courthouse sits in downtown Anniston on the town square. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. The records room has public terminals where you can search the index yourself. If you find what you need, staff will pull the document and make copies for you. Bring exact change or a check for fees.

Search Calhoun County Records Online

Calhoun County uses the AL Tags system for vehicle registration records. You can access this at altags.com to check tag renewals and pay fees online. This saves a trip to the courthouse for motor vehicle matters. The system works around the clock, so you can handle tags even after office hours.

For property records, you will need to contact the Probate Court directly or visit in person. The county has not yet launched a full online portal for deed and mortgage searches like some larger counties have. You can call ahead and ask staff to search for a specific document. They will tell you what they find and how much copies cost.

Some records are available through third-party vendors who have digitized older documents. These may charge a fee for access. Always verify any information you find through unofficial sources by checking with the Probate Court. The official record is what matters for legal purposes. Staff can certify copies if you need them for court or real estate transactions.

Calhoun County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk handles all trial court records in Calhoun County. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations, and small claims. The 7th Judicial Circuit covers Calhoun County along with a few neighboring counties. Court records are separate from property records at the Probate Court.

You can search court cases online through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and shows one case detail. Each additional case costs $9.99. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This state system covers all Alabama courts, so you can search multiple counties at once.

The Circuit Clerk website for Calhoun County is at calhoun.alacourt.gov. You can find court schedules, forms, and contact info there. The office is in the Calhoun County Courthouse in Anniston. Call ahead if you need help with a specific case or want to know what records are available.

Criminal records in Calhoun County go back many decades. Older cases may be on paper only. Staff can search the index and pull files for you. Some historic records have been moved to the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. The clerk can tell you where to find older cases if the local files have been transferred.

Calhoun County Recording Fees

The Probate Court sets fees for recording documents and making copies. These fees follow state guidelines but can vary slightly. Always confirm current rates before you send payment by mail or show up in person.

Common fees in Calhoun County include:

• Recording a deed: $4.50 for first page, $2.50 each additional page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Marriage license: $70 to $90 depending on type
• Plat recording: varies by size

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. This is split between state and county portions. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. The recording office will calculate these taxes when you bring in a document to file. They can also give you an estimate over the phone if you provide the purchase price or loan amount.

Payment options include cash, check, and money order. Some services accept credit cards but may add a processing fee. Ask about payment methods when you call or visit. The fee schedule is posted in the office and staff will explain what applies to your situation.

Vital Records in Calhoun County

Birth and death certificates in Alabama come from the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. You cannot get these from the county Probate Court. The state office has records from 1908 to present. Older vital records may be at the county level or with the state archives.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Calhoun County Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Couples no longer need a ceremony. They fill out a form, get it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The license becomes valid once recorded. Copies of marriage records are available from the office where they were filed.

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. The Circuit Clerk has these files. You can search for divorce cases through AlacourtAccess or request copies from the Circuit Clerk office. Final divorce decrees are public records in Alabama. Anyone can get a copy, though you need to know the case number or names of the parties.

Property Records and Real Estate

All real estate transactions in Calhoun County are recorded at the Probate Court. This creates the official chain of title for every property. Buyers, sellers, and title companies file deeds here to transfer ownership. Lenders file mortgages and releases. The records show who owns what and what debts are attached to properties.

When you buy property in Calhoun County, the deed must be recorded to protect your ownership. Recording fees and taxes apply. Most closings are handled by title companies or attorneys who file the paperwork. You get the original deed back after it has been recorded with the court's stamp showing the book and page number.

Tax records are handled by the Revenue Commissioner's office, which is separate from the Probate Court. Property tax bills, assessments, and tax liens go through that office. The Revenue Commissioner can tell you the assessed value of a property and how much is owed in taxes. This information is useful when researching properties.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama has a public records law that gives citizens the right to inspect government documents. You can request records from any Calhoun County office. Some records are exempt, like sealed court cases or personnel files. But most county documents are open to the public.

To make a request, contact the office that has the records you need. For property records, call the Probate Court. For court cases, contact the Circuit Clerk. For county government records, reach out to the specific department. You may need to put your request in writing. Some offices have forms you can fill out.

Alabama law says agencies must respond in a reasonable time. There is no set deadline, but most offices aim to answer within a few weeks. Complex requests take longer. Fees for copies and staff time may apply. The office will tell you the cost before they produce the records so you can decide if you want to proceed.

If you have trouble getting records, you can contact the Alabama Attorney General's office. They oversee public records compliance. Most requests go smoothly, but the AG can step in if an agency is not following the law. Knowing your rights helps when dealing with reluctant officials.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County has several cities and towns. Anniston is the county seat and largest city. All property records are filed at the Calhoun County Probate Court regardless of which city the property is in. Court cases are handled by the Calhoun County Circuit Court based on where the matter arose.

Major communities in Calhoun County include Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Piedmont, Weaver, and Hobson City. Oxford has grown significantly in recent years due to retail and commercial development. Jacksonville is home to Jacksonville State University. Piedmont sits near the Georgia border. Each city has its own government, but county offices handle the records.

Nearby Counties

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