Choctaw County Public Records

Choctaw County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Butler. This rural county in southwest Alabama has a small population but offers some online access to court records through the state Alacourt system.

Choctaw County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all property records for Choctaw County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. They also file marriage licenses and handle estate matters. The Probate Judge serves as the chief administrator for these records.

Choctaw County is one of the smaller counties in Alabama. The Probate Court is in the courthouse in Butler. All property transactions in the county go through this single office. There is no branch location. Staff can help you search records and make copies during business hours.

The courthouse sits in the center of Butler on the town square. Parking is free around the building. You can walk in during office hours without an appointment. The staff will help you find what you need. For complex searches, you may want to call ahead.

The Probate Court in Choctaw County does not have a dedicated website. You will need to visit in person or call for most record searches. Some Alabama counties have online portals for property records, but Choctaw County relies on in-person service for now. This is common in smaller rural counties across the state.

Search Choctaw County Records Online

Choctaw County has limited online access for public records. The county uses the Ingenuity system for some record management, but this is mainly for internal county use. Property record searches still require a visit to the Probate Court or a phone call to the office.

For court records, you can use the statewide Alacourt system. This covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases from Choctaw County courts. The Circuit Clerk website at choctaw.alacourt.gov provides basic information about the court.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you search court cases online. Here is what it costs:

• Name search: $9.99 (includes one case detail)
• Additional case details: $9.99 each
• Document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
• Pages beyond 20: $0.50 each

The state system is the best way to find court records from Choctaw County without driving to Butler. Property records are a different story. You will need to contact the Probate Court directly for deeds, mortgages, and land records. They can do searches over the phone for simple requests.

Choctaw County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Choctaw County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Choctaw County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit along with Clarke and Washington counties. A single Circuit Judge covers all three counties.

Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and traffic violations. The Circuit Clerk files and maintains these documents. You can search case information through Alacourt or visit the clerk's office in person.

The Circuit Clerk office is in the courthouse building. They share the space with other county offices. Staff can help you find case files and make copies. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. Cash and money orders are the safest payment methods for small county offices.

Criminal background checks often start with a court record search. You can search Choctaw County through Alacourt, but a full state background check requires going through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. ALEA charges $28.25 for a name-based criminal history check.

Choctaw County Property Records

All property records in Choctaw County are filed with the Probate Court. This includes warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps. The Probate Judge has custody of these records under Alabama law.

When you buy or sell land in Choctaw County, the deed gets recorded at the Probate Court. The recording creates a public record of the transaction. Anyone can search these records. You do not need to own the property or have a legal reason to look.

Choctaw County land records go back to the mid-1800s. Older records may be in bound books or on microfilm. Recent records are likely in a digital system. The Probate Court staff can help you navigate different formats. Complex title searches may take more time in a county with older record-keeping methods.

For property tax records, contact the Choctaw County Revenue Commissioner. Tax records show assessed values, tax amounts, and payment history. The Revenue Commissioner office is also in the Butler courthouse. You can check for delinquent taxes before buying property.

Choctaw County Recording Fees

Choctaw County follows the state fee schedule for recording documents. Alabama sets minimum fees, and counties can add local amounts. Always confirm current fees before you send payment. Fees can change without much notice.

Typical fees in Choctaw County include:

• Recording a deed: varies by page count
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page
• Plat copies: $5 to $15 depending on size
• Marriage license search: $5

Alabama has a deed tax and mortgage tax that apply statewide. The deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. The mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes are collected at recording. The Probate Court can tell you the exact amount based on your transaction.

Payment methods vary by office. The Probate Court may accept cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards may not be accepted at all county offices. Call ahead if you need to use a card. For mail requests, a money order is usually the safest choice.

Choctaw County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates in Alabama are handled by the state, not the county. The Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics issues these documents. You can order them online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Montgomery.

Marriage licenses are different. The Choctaw County Probate Court issues marriage licenses and keeps the records. You can get copies of marriage records from the Probate Court. The state also has copies of marriages from 1936 forward.

To get a marriage license in Choctaw County, both people must apply in person at the Probate Court. There is no waiting period in Alabama. The license fee is around $70 to $80. You do not need blood tests or witnesses. Alabama ended the requirement for a ceremony in 2019.

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. The Circuit Clerk has divorce files from Choctaw County cases. You can also search for divorce cases through Alacourt. The state health department has an index of divorces, but full files are at the county level.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama has open records laws that give you the right to access most government records. Choctaw County follows these state rules. You can request records in person, by phone, by mail, or by email depending on the office.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For property and marriage records, contact the Probate Court. Other county records may be held by different departments. If you are not sure where to start, call the main county number and ask.

Some records have restrictions. Sealed court files are not public. Juvenile records are confidential. Adoption records are sealed. Mental health records are protected. Most other records are open to anyone who asks.

Response times vary. A simple copy request might be done the same day. More complex searches take longer. Alabama law requires a reasonable response time. If a county delays too long, you can take legal action, but that rarely happens for routine requests.

Choctaw County does not have an online request portal like larger counties. You will deal directly with county staff. Be specific about what you want. Give names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. This helps staff find your records faster.

Towns in Choctaw County

Choctaw County has several small towns but no cities over 100,000 people. All property records for towns in the county go through the Choctaw County Probate Court. Court cases are handled by the Choctaw County Circuit Court.

Towns in Choctaw County include Butler (the county seat), Gilbertown, Lisman, Needham, Pennington, Silas, and Toxey. Butler is the largest town with around 1,900 people. The entire county has about 12,000 residents, making it one of the least populated counties in Alabama.

If you need records for any town in Choctaw County, you will work with the county offices in Butler. There are no separate municipal record systems for these small towns. The Probate Court and Circuit Clerk serve the whole county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Choctaw County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Each county has its own Probate Court and Circuit Clerk.

Choctaw County also borders the state of Mississippi to the west. If you need records from Mississippi, you will have to contact the appropriate Mississippi county offices.

Legal Help in Choctaw County

If you need legal help finding or understanding public records, several resources are available. Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents across Alabama, including Choctaw County.

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to qualifying residents. They can assist with family law, housing, public benefits, and other matters. Their Southwest Alabama office serves Choctaw County. You can reach them at 1-866-456-4995 or through their website.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, you can get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney. This can help if you have questions about records or legal matters. Call 1-800-354-6154 for a referral.

For court matters, you can also ask the Circuit Clerk's office about forms and procedures. Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain how to file documents and what the process involves. Self-represented parties can get basic guidance this way.