Cherokee County Public Records

Cherokee County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Centre. Located in northeast Alabama along the Georgia border, this county of about 26,000 residents offers access to property records, court documents, and vital records through both in-person and online services.

Cherokee County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Cherokee County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees all recording functions and serves as the chief administrator for county elections. You can visit the courthouse in Centre to search records or request copies.

Property records at the Probate Court date back to the county's founding in 1836. Older records are kept in bound volumes at the courthouse. More recent documents have been digitized and can be found through online search tools. The staff can help you locate specific records if you know the names of parties involved or the approximate date of recording.

Marriage licenses are also issued here. You need to apply in person with valid ID. Both parties must be present. The fee for a marriage license in Alabama is $70 as of recent law changes. There is no waiting period after you get the license.

Search Cherokee County Records Online

Cherokee County uses AL Tags for certain online services. This state system lets you handle vehicle registration and property tax matters from home. For court records, the Alacourt system is your main resource. Property records may require a trip to the courthouse in Centre, though some land records are available through third-party title search companies.

The state Alacourt portal at pa.alacourt.com provides access to court case information. You can search by name or case number. A basic name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail view. If you need to see more cases, each additional case costs $9.99. Document images run $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

For property records like deeds and mortgages, check with the Probate Court about current online options. Some smaller Alabama counties have partnered with vendors to provide online deed search. Others still require in-person visits. Call ahead to save yourself a trip if you need specific documents.

Tax records and property assessments are available through the Cherokee County Revenue Commissioner. This office handles property tax bills and can provide information about assessed values. They also process homestead exemptions and other property tax relief programs.

Cherokee County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Cherokee County. This covers civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and traffic violations. Cherokee County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with DeKalb County. The Circuit Court handles felony cases and civil matters over $20,000.

District Court deals with misdemeanors, small claims, and preliminary hearings. Both courts keep their records at the courthouse in Centre. You can request copies of court documents by visiting in person or sending a written request by mail. Include the case number if you have it. That makes the search much faster.

The Circuit Clerk office can provide certified copies for legal proceedings. Standard copies cost less than certified ones. If you just need to review a case file, you can often do that at the courthouse without paying for copies. Ask the clerk about their public access policy.

Family court records have some restrictions. Cases involving minors are often sealed or have limited access. Adoption records are confidential under Alabama law. If you need these records, you may need a court order or have to show you are a party to the case.

Cherokee County Recording Fees

Cherokee County follows the state fee schedule for most recording functions. Fees can change, so call ahead to confirm current rates before you send payment. The Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, and certified checks. Some offices now take credit cards but may add a processing fee.

Common fees in Cherokee County include:

• Deed recording: base fee plus per-page charges
• Mortgage recording: base fee plus per-page charges
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page
• Marriage license: $70

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value transferred. This applies to most real estate sales. Some transfers are exempt, like those between family members or in divorce settlements. The Probate Court can tell you if your transaction qualifies for an exemption.

Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. This applies when you record a new mortgage or refinance. The tax is based on the loan amount, not the property value. Refinances of existing mortgages may get partial credit for taxes already paid.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives the public broad access to government records. You can request records from Cherokee County by visiting the office that holds them or by sending a written request. There is no special form required. Just describe what you want clearly enough for staff to find it.

Under Alabama's Open Records Act, public agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable time. The 2024 law changes set a 15 business day response deadline for standard requests. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge reasonable fees for search time and copying.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, ongoing investigations, and attorney-client communications are typically protected. Medical records and certain financial information also have restrictions. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the agency head or take the matter to court.

For property records, go directly to the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county records, start with the department that would logically have what you need. If you are not sure where to look, the county administrator's office can point you in the right direction.

Cherokee County Vital Records

Birth and death records in Alabama are handled by the state. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics maintains these files. You can order copies online through the state portal or by mail. The county health department can also help with vital records requests.

Marriage records are different. The Probate Court keeps marriage licenses and certificates. If a marriage took place in Cherokee County, that is where you get the record. For marriages in other counties, contact that county's Probate Court instead.

Divorce records are court records. The Circuit Clerk has divorce decrees and related documents. If you need a divorce record from Cherokee County, contact the Circuit Clerk office. Older divorce records may be in storage but can usually be retrieved with enough notice.

Cities in Cherokee County

Cherokee County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Cherokee County Probate Court in Centre. Court cases go through the Cherokee County Circuit Court, which is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit.

Major communities in Cherokee County include Centre (the county seat), Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaylesville, Leesburg, and Sand Rock. None of these cities have their own recording offices. All property and court records are handled at the county level.

Nearby Counties

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

Cherokee County sits at the northeast corner of Alabama. It shares its eastern border with Georgia. If your records search involves both states, you may need to check Floyd County or Chattooga County in Georgia as well.