Clarke County Public Records

Clarke County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Grove Hill. This southwest Alabama county uses the Ingenuity system for online court records access.

Clarke County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Clarke County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees all real estate filings and maintains indexes going back to the county's founding. Grove Hill serves as the county seat where most record requests are processed.

Property records in Clarke County date back to 1812. Some older records were lost to fires and damage over the years, but most modern records are intact. The Probate Office can help you find what you need. Staff there know the local records well and can point you in the right direction if you hit a wall.

Marriage licenses are also filed here. You can get a marriage license at the Probate Court. Both parties must appear in person. The fee is set by state law. Clarke County follows the same rules as other Alabama counties for marriage records.

Search Clarke County Records Online

Clarke County uses the Ingenuity system for online court records. This is a free account-based portal. You need to sign up for an account, but there is no charge to search. The system covers civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic matters filed in Clarke County courts.

The Ingenuity portal is different from some other Alabama counties. Many counties charge per search or per case view. Clarke County does not. Once you have an account, you can search as much as you want. This makes it easier to do research if you have multiple cases to look up.

To get started with Ingenuity:

• Go to the Clarke County court website
• Click the link for online records
• Create a free account with your email
• Verify your email and log in
• Search by name, case number, or date range

The statewide AlacourtAccess system at pa.alacourt.com also has Clarke County records. This is a paid option. It costs $9.99 per name search with one case detail included. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Use this if you need records from multiple counties in one search.

Property records work a bit differently. The Probate Court maintains deeds and land records. Some of these may be online through the county or a third-party vendor. Contact the Probate Office to ask about online access for property records. In-person searches are always available at the courthouse.

Clarke County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Clarke County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic violations. The Circuit Clerk office is in the courthouse in Grove Hill.

Clarke County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Choctaw County and Washington County. A circuit judge travels between the counties to hold court. This is common in rural Alabama. The District Court handles smaller civil cases and misdemeanors. Circuit Court takes felonies and larger civil matters.

To request court records in person, visit the Circuit Clerk office. Bring identification and any case numbers you have. Staff can search by name if you do not have a case number. There may be copy fees for documents you need. Ask about current rates when you make your request.

Criminal background checks often require court records. Clarke County records can be searched through the Ingenuity system online. For certified copies, you must go to the courthouse or send a written request by mail. Certified copies have the clerk seal and signature. They are valid for legal proceedings.

Clarke County Recording Fees

Clarke County follows state guidelines for recording fees. These fees apply to documents filed at the Probate Court. Rates can change, so call ahead to confirm current amounts before you send a check or money order.

Common fees for Clarke County:

• Deed recording: varies by page count
• Mortgage recording: varies by page count
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: additional fee per page
• Marriage license: set by state law

The state sets some fee amounts. Counties add their own fees on top. This means costs vary a bit from county to county. Clarke County fees are typical for a rural Alabama county. They tend to be lower than fees in larger urban areas.

For court filings, the Circuit Clerk has a separate fee schedule. Civil case filing fees depend on the type of case. Criminal fines and court costs are set by the judge. Ask the Circuit Clerk office for a current fee list if you need to file a case.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives citizens the right to access public records. This includes most government documents held by Clarke County offices. Some records have restrictions. Court records involving minors may be sealed. Personnel files have limits. Medical records are protected by federal law.

To request records from Clarke County:

• Identify which office has the records you need
• Contact that office by phone, mail, or in person
• Describe the records as clearly as you can
• Pay any required search or copy fees
• Pick up records or have them mailed to you

For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For county government records like meeting minutes or budgets, try the County Commission office. Each office handles its own records requests.

Response times vary based on the request. Simple requests for a single document may be handled same-day. Larger requests take more time. Under Alabama law, agencies must respond in a reasonable time. If you have trouble getting records, you may want to consult an attorney about your options.

Clarke County Vital Records

Birth and death records are handled at the state level in Alabama. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery maintains these records. You cannot get a birth certificate from the Clarke County courthouse. Marriage and divorce records are different.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. After a ceremony, the completed license is recorded there as well. You can get copies of marriage records from Clarke County Probate Court. Older records may also be at the state vital records office.

Divorce records are court records. The Circuit Clerk has divorce decrees and related filings. Search by party name or case number. Divorces filed in Clarke County are in the Clarke County court system. If a divorce was filed elsewhere, check that county.

For birth or death certificates, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health at alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords. You can order records online, by mail, or in person at their office. There is a fee for certified copies.

Legal Resources in Clarke County

If you need legal help in Clarke County, several options exist. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations help people who cannot afford an attorney. Self-help resources are available at the courthouse.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free information on common legal issues. This includes family law, housing, and consumer problems. They can also connect you with local legal aid if you qualify based on income.

For small claims or simple matters, you may represent yourself. The Circuit Clerk can give you forms but cannot give legal advice. Consider consulting an attorney for complex matters like real estate transactions, custody disputes, or criminal charges.

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County contains several towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Clarke County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Clarke County Circuit Court. No cities in Clarke County meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site.

Communities in Clarke County include Grove Hill, Jackson, Thomasville (partially in Clarke County), and Coffeeville. The town of Jackson is the largest municipality in the county. Grove Hill is smaller but serves as the county seat where the courthouse is located.

Nearby Counties

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