Coffee County Public Records

Coffee County public records are maintained by two separate Probate Court offices in Elba and Enterprise. This unique dual courthouse system has been in place since 1907, making Coffee County one of the few Alabama counties with two official county seats.

Coffee County's Dual Courthouse System

Coffee County has a rare setup. Two courthouses serve the county. The Elba office in the south handles records from that part of the county. The Enterprise office in the north serves residents there. Both offices maintain separate record books for their areas.

This arrangement started in 1907. At that time, the Alabama Legislature made Enterprise a second county seat. The decision gave residents in the northern part of the county easier access to government services. That was a big deal back then, when travel took much longer. The dual system has stayed in place ever since.

Which office you use depends on where your property or case is located. The Elba office uses an "A" after the book number in its records. Enterprise records do not have this marking. If you are searching old records, this detail helps you know which office created the document. Staff at either office can tell you which location has the records you need.

Coffee County Probate Court - Elba Office

The Elba office is the original courthouse location. It serves the southern portion of Coffee County. The Probate Judge has an office here. Staff can help you search property records, file documents, and get copies of recorded instruments.

Keep in mind the county uses a 4-day work week. Both offices are closed on Fridays. Plan your visit for Monday through Thursday. The longer daily hours give you more time to search records and complete your business in a single trip.

Coffee County Probate Court - Enterprise Office

The Enterprise office serves the northern part of the county. It has the same services as the Elba location. You can search records, file new documents, and request copies here. Enterprise is the larger city, so this office tends to be busier.

Enterprise is known for its Boll Weevil Monument. The city honors the pest that destroyed cotton crops in 1915. Farmers had to diversify, which made the area more prosperous in the long run. The monument sits downtown, not far from the courthouse. But the courthouse itself handles the serious business of property transfers, probate matters, and public records.

Search Coffee County Records Online

Coffee County offers free online access to probate records. The ingprobate.com system lets you search deed indexes, mortgage records, and other recorded documents from home. Viewing the index is free. You only pay if you want to download actual document images.

To use the online system:

• Go to ingprobate.com/Coffee_probate/
• Search by name, book and page, or document type
• View index results at no cost
• Download document images for $2 per page

The system covers records from both courthouses. You can search Elba and Enterprise records in one place. This saves you from having to visit both offices when you are not sure which one has your records. The online search is available around the clock, which helps if you cannot visit during the 4-day work week.

Some older records may not be in the online system yet. For historical searches going back many decades, you might still need to visit in person. Call ahead to check if the records you need are available online before making a trip.

Coffee County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk handles trial court records in Coffee County. These are different from the property records at the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce filings, and traffic violations. The Circuit Clerk serves the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Coffee County shares the 12th Judicial Circuit with Geneva and Dale counties. Judges rotate between the three counties to hear cases. The Circuit Clerk's office keeps the case files and dockets for Coffee County matters.

You can search court records through the state Alacourt system:

• Circuit Clerk website: coffee.alacourt.gov
• Statewide search: pa.alacourt.com
• Name search fee: $9.99
• Additional case details: $9.99 each
• Document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages

Alacourt does not have records from before the mid-1990s for most counties. Older case files are on paper at the courthouse. The clerk's office can search those for you, but it takes longer and may require a trip in person.

Coffee County Recording Fees

Coffee County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. The same fees apply at both the Elba and Enterprise offices. Fees are set by state law with some local variations allowed.

Common fee amounts:

• Online document images: $2 per page
• Certified copies: Contact office for current rates
• Recording fees: Based on document type and page count
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
• Mortgage tax: $0.15 per $100 of debt

Fees can change. Call the office to confirm current rates before sending payment. Both offices accept the same forms of payment. If you mail a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for your copies.

Types of Public Records Available

Coffee County maintains several categories of public records. The Probate Court handles most property-related documents. Here is what you can find:

Property Records: Deeds show who owns land and buildings. Mortgages show loans against property. Liens show debts attached to property. Plat maps show subdivisions and lot lines. These records go back to when the county was formed in 1841.

Marriage Records: The Probate Court issues marriage licenses. After the ceremony, the license is recorded. You can search marriage records at either courthouse or online. Alabama ended common law marriage in 2017, but older records of such marriages still exist.

Probate Records: Wills, estate administrations, and guardianship cases are filed here. When someone dies with property, the estate goes through probate. These files include inventories of assets, creditor claims, and final distributions. Some probate files have been sealed or destroyed over time per state law.

Court Records: Civil cases, criminal cases, and family court matters are at the Circuit Clerk. This includes lawsuits, divorces, custody cases, and criminal charges. Traffic tickets and small claims also go through the court system.

Visiting the Courthouse

If you need to visit in person, plan around the 4-day work week. Both offices are closed Fridays. The extended hours Monday through Thursday give you more time each day. Arrive early if you have a lot of research to do.

Here are some tips for your visit:

• Call ahead to confirm the records you need are available
• Bring ID if you need certified copies
• Have cash or check for fees (call to confirm if cards are accepted)
• Know the approximate date range for your search
• Ask staff which office has the records if you are not sure

Staff at both offices can help you use the computer terminals to search. If you are new to records research, do not be afraid to ask questions. They deal with first-time researchers often and can point you in the right direction.

Cities in Coffee County

Coffee County contains several cities and towns. Enterprise is the largest, followed by Elba. All of them file property records at one of the two Coffee County Probate Court offices. The location depends on which part of the county the property is in.

Cities and towns in Coffee County include Enterprise, Elba, New Brockton, Kinston, and Jack. Enterprise is by far the most populous, with around 30,000 residents. None of the cities in Coffee County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coffee County. If your search involves property or cases near the county line, you may need to check records in a neighboring county as well.

Additional Resources

Beyond the courthouse records, here are other places to search for information related to Coffee County:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: Criminal background checks go through ALEA at the state level. The county does not run its own background check service. Visit alea.gov for state criminal records.

Alabama Department of Public Health: Birth and death certificates are handled by the state, not the county. Go to alabamapublichealth.gov to request vital records.

Tax Records: Property tax information is at the Coffee County Revenue Commissioner's office. Tax liens and tax sales are separate from the deed records at the Probate Court.

Military Records: Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) is located partly in Coffee County. Military personnel records are handled by the federal government, not the county.