Clay County Public Records

Clay County public records are managed by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Ashland. This rural east-central Alabama county has about 13,000 residents and offers online court records through the statewide Alacourt system.

Clay County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Clay County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The office sits in the Clay County Courthouse in downtown Ashland. All land transactions in the county must be recorded here to be valid against third parties.

Property records in Clay County go back to 1866 when the county was formed. Some older records were lost to fire and other damage over the years. The Probate Judge also handles wills, estates, and mental health commitments. Adoptions and guardianships fall under this court too. The office can help you search their index books in person.

Clay County is a small county, so the staff often knows local families and can help point you in the right direction. They keep grantor and grantee indexes that list all recorded documents by name. You can search these yourself or ask staff for help. The indexes show the book and page number where each document is filed.

Search Clay County Records Online

Clay County uses the Ingenuity court management system. This connects to the statewide Alacourt portal for online searches. You can look up court cases from any computer with internet access. The system covers civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic cases filed in Clay County courts.

The online system has records from the mid-2000s forward. Older cases may not show up in searches. For those, you need to call or visit the clerk's office. The staff can search their older paper records and microfilm for you. They charge a small fee for research time on older matters.

To search Clay County court records online:

• Go to pa.alacourt.com
• Select Clay County from the list
• Enter a name or case number
• Pay the search fee to see results

A name search costs $9.99 and shows all cases for that person. You can then pay $9.99 per case to see the full details. Document images cost extra. This is the same system used across Alabama, so the fees are standard statewide.

Property records in Clay County are not yet online. You need to visit the Probate Court or call them to search deed records. Some title companies and attorneys have access to property data through private services. The county has talked about digitizing old records but has not set a timeline.

Clay County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Clay County. This is a separate office from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law cases, and traffic tickets. The Circuit Clerk also handles jury duty notices and court filings.

Clay County is part of the 40th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties. Circuit judges rotate between these three counties. A case filed in Clay County will be heard by a circuit judge when they are in Ashland. District Court handles smaller civil cases and misdemeanors.

The Circuit Clerk office is in the Clay County Courthouse. You can get copies of court documents in person. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Bring exact change or a check made out to the Circuit Clerk. They do not always have change for large bills.

Types of records at the Circuit Clerk:

• Civil lawsuits and judgments
• Criminal case files
• Divorce decrees and custody orders
• Traffic violations
• Small claims cases
• Domestic violence orders

Some records are sealed or confidential. Juvenile cases and adoption files are not public. Certain domestic cases may be restricted too. The clerk can tell you if a record is available when you make a request.

Clay County Recording Fees

Clay County charges fees set by Alabama law for recording documents. The Probate Court collects these when you file a deed, mortgage, or other instrument. Fees can change when the state updates the fee schedule. Call ahead to confirm current rates.

Common fees in Clay County:

• Recording first page: $13 to $17 depending on document type
• Each extra page: $5
• Certified copy: $1 per page plus certification fee
• Regular copy: $0.50 to $1 per page
• Marriage license: around $75

The state charges deed tax on property transfers. This is $0.50 per $500 of sale price. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of loan amount. These taxes go to the state, not the county. The Probate Court collects them at recording.

You can pay by cash, check, or money order. Some offices now take credit cards but may add a fee. Call the Probate Court at (256) 354-7888 to ask about payment methods. Mail-in requests need a check or money order with the documents.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access public records. Clay County offices must respond to requests within a reasonable time. The 2024 update to Alabama's open records law sets new timelines. Most requests should get a response within 15 business days.

For property records, contact the Probate Court directly. They can search their indexes and pull documents while you wait. Phone requests work for simple searches. Complex requests may need a written letter or in-person visit.

For court records, start with the Circuit Clerk. You can also use the Alacourt online system for faster results. The online system works 24/7, while the office is only open during business hours. In-person requests let you see the original files if needed.

For other county records, contact the specific department. The county commission office handles general county business records. The sheriff's office has arrest records and incident reports. Each office has its own process for requests.

Tips for faster service:

• Be as specific as you can about what you need
• Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them
• Call ahead to confirm the office has the records
• Bring ID when picking up records in person

Clay County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are state records in Alabama. The Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery handles these. You can order them online at alabamapublichealth.gov. The Clay County Health Department can also help with vital record requests.

Marriage licenses come from the Probate Court. Clay County started using the new marriage certificate process in 2019. Couples fill out a form together and have it notarized. No ceremony is required. The completed form gets filed with the Probate Court to make the marriage official.

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. These are at the Circuit Clerk office. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics also keeps an index of divorces. But for certified copies, you need to go to the county where the divorce was granted.

Cities in Clay County

Clay County has a few small towns and communities. Ashland is the largest city and serves as the county seat. All property records in these towns are filed at the Clay County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Clay County court system.

Main communities in Clay County include Ashland, Lineville, and Delta. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all public records business goes through the county offices. The Ashland courthouse handles everything from property transfers to court filings for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

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