Cleburne County Public Records
Cleburne County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Heflin. This rural county in east Alabama has about 15,000 residents and uses the statewide Ingenuity system for online court records access.
Cleburne County Quick Facts
Cleburne County Probate Court
The Probate Court in Heflin handles all property records for Cleburne County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. The office sits in the Cleburne County Courthouse on the town square. Staff can help you search records and get copies of documents you need.
Property records in Cleburne County go back to when the county was formed in 1866. The county was carved from parts of Calhoun, Randolph, and Talladega counties. Some older records may still be held by those original counties, so check there if you need something from before 1866. The Probate Judge also handles wills, estates, and guardianship matters for county residents.
Cleburne County is small enough that most requests can be handled the same day if you visit in person. Phone and mail requests take a bit longer. The staff is used to helping people who live out of town and need records sent to them. Just be sure to include all the details you have about the record you need.
| Address |
Cleburne County Courthouse 120 Vickery Street, Room 102 Heflin, AL 36264 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 463-5655 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cleburnecounty.org |
Search Cleburne County Records Online
Cleburne County uses the Ingenuity system for online records. This is a statewide platform that many smaller Alabama counties use. You can search court cases and some property records through this system. It works well for basic searches, though not all documents are available online.
For court records, the main portal is AlacourtAccess. This covers all courts in Cleburne County. You can search by name, case number, or date range. A basic search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. More cases cost extra. The system has records going back several years, but older cases may not be online yet.
Property records are a bit trickier to get online. Not all Cleburne County property documents have been scanned. For older deeds and mortgages, you may need to call the Probate Court or visit in person. The county has been working to get more records online, but it takes time for a small county with limited staff.
Visit pa.alacourt.com for court records. The Circuit Clerk website at cleburne.alacourt.gov has local court info and forms. For property records, check with the Probate Court about what is available online versus what needs an in-person search.
Cleburne County Court Records
The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Cleburne County. This office is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and small claims. Traffic cases and misdemeanors go through the District Court.
Cleburne County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. This circuit includes Calhoun and Cleburne counties. Circuit judges travel between the two counties to hear cases. Most felony trials and major civil cases are heard in Circuit Court. The District Court handles lesser matters like traffic tickets and small civil claims.
To search court records, you have a few options. The Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com lets you search online for a fee. You can also visit the Circuit Clerk office in person during business hours. Staff can look up cases and make copies for you. Some criminal records may be sealed or restricted, so not everything is public.
Background checks often require court records from Cleburne County. If you need records for employment or housing, the Circuit Clerk can certify copies for you. Certified copies cost more than regular copies but carry an official seal. Many employers and landlords require this type of documentation.
| Circuit Clerk Address |
Cleburne County Courthouse 120 Vickery Street Heflin, AL 36264 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 463-2651 |
| Website | cleburne.alacourt.gov |
Cleburne County Recording Fees
Cleburne County charges standard fees for recording and copies. These fees are set by state law with some local variations. Always confirm current fees before you send payment, as rates can change.
Here are typical fees for Cleburne County:
- Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
- Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
- Recording a deed: $20 for first page, $3 each additional page
- Marriage license: $77
- Online court record search: $9.99 per name
Payment methods vary by office. The Probate Court takes cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices accept credit cards but may charge a convenience fee. If you are mailing a request, include a check or money order payable to the appropriate office. Do not send cash through the mail.
Alabama charges a deed tax on property transfers. The rate is $0.50 per $500 of property value. There is also a mortgage tax of $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes are collected when documents are recorded at the Probate Court. Title companies usually handle these payments during real estate closings.
Vital Records in Cleburne County
Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. In Alabama, these are handled at both the state and county level. Which office you contact depends on what record you need and how old it is.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Cleburne County Probate Court. Since 2019, Alabama no longer requires a ceremony or witnesses. Couples fill out a marriage certificate form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The filing fee is $77. You can apply in person or by mail. After filing, the marriage is legal.
Birth and death certificates are handled by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. This state office in Montgomery maintains vital records for all Alabama counties. You can order certificates online, by mail, or in person at the state office. Certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies ordered at the same time.
Some older vital records are held locally. The Cleburne County Probate Court may have marriage records going back to 1866. Death records before 1908 are often only available at the county level. For these older records, contact the Probate Court directly to see what they have on file.
How to Request Public Records
Alabama has open records laws that give the public access to government documents. Most records kept by Cleburne County offices are open to anyone who asks. There are some exceptions for things like sealed court records and personal information protected by law.
To request records from Cleburne County, contact the office that has what you need. For property records, that is the Probate Court. For court cases, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county records, try the county administrator office. Be as specific as you can about what you want. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them.
Alabama law requires agencies to respond to records requests within a reasonable time. Recent changes to the law set a 15 business day deadline for most requests. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge fees to cover the cost of searching and copying records. They must tell you the estimated cost before doing the work.
If you have trouble getting records, you can file a complaint with the Alabama Attorney General. The AG's office reviews complaints about public records access. Most issues get resolved before a formal complaint is needed, but the option is there if you feel your rights are being violated.
Cities in Cleburne County
Cleburne County has several small towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Cleburne County Probate Court in Heflin. Court cases go through the Cleburne County courts based on the type of case and where it happened.
The main communities in Cleburne County include Heflin (the county seat), Fruithurst, Edwardsville, and Ranburne. None of these towns have their own court systems. Everything goes through the county courts in Heflin. The county is rural with no cities over 100,000 population.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Cleburne County. If you need records from a nearby area, select the county below.
Calhoun County is the largest neighbor with its county seat in Anniston. Cherokee County lies to the north, Clay County to the south, and Randolph County to the south and east. Georgia is just across the state line to the east of Cleburne County.
Legal Help in Cleburne County
If you need legal help in Cleburne County, there are resources available. The Alabama State Bar can refer you to local attorneys who practice in the area. Legal aid organizations offer free help to people who qualify based on income.
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. You can apply online or call their intake line. Not all cases qualify, but they can often point you in the right direction even if they cannot take your case.
For criminal matters, the court can appoint a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. You must fill out paperwork showing your income and assets. The judge decides if you qualify for appointed counsel. This applies to criminal cases where jail time is possible.
The Cleburne County law library, if one exists, may have self-help resources. Many people handle simple legal matters on their own using court forms and instructions. The Circuit Clerk can provide forms but cannot give legal advice. For complex matters, talking to an attorney is usually worth the cost.