Conecuh County Public Records

Conecuh County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Evergreen. This rural south Alabama county uses the Ingenuity system for online court records access through the statewide Alacourt network.

Conecuh County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Conecuh County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also handles estate matters, wills, and mental health commitments. All land transfers in the county must be recorded here to be valid against third parties.

The office sits in the Conecuh County Courthouse in downtown Evergreen. Staff can help you search deed books, find mortgage records, or get copies of recorded documents. They also issue marriage licenses and keep birth and death records from before the state system started in 1908.

Walk-in visits work best for complex searches. Phone calls can answer basic questions about fees or hours. The staff is small but helpful with research requests. They know the local records well and can point you to the right book or index.

Search Conecuh County Records Online

Conecuh County uses the Ingenuity case management system. This ties into the statewide Alacourt network for online searches. You can look up court cases through AlacourtAccess. Property records are not yet online for free searching, but the state is working to expand digital access to all counties.

The Alacourt system lets you search by name or case number. A basic name search costs $9.99. That includes one case detail view. If you need more cases, each extra one costs $9.99 too. Document images run $5.00 for up to 20 pages. It covers civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases.

For property records, you still need to call or visit the Probate Court. Some counties in Alabama have put their deed indexes online. Conecuh has not done this yet. The clerk can do searches for you over the phone for a fee. Mail requests work too if you include payment.

Title companies and attorneys often use abstract services for Conecuh County. These firms have built their own indexes from the county records. They charge for searches but can be faster than doing it yourself. Ask the Probate Court for a list of local abstractors if you need this service.

Conecuh County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records for Conecuh County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce files, and traffic matters. Conecuh County is part of the 35th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Monroe and Conecuh counties.

You can search Conecuh County court records at pa.alacourt.com. The site covers all Alabama counties. Create a free account to search. Fees apply when you view case details or documents. The Circuit Clerk website at conecuh.alacourt.gov has local contact info and forms.

In-person visits let you view case files for free at the courthouse. You pay only for copies. The clerk can help you find cases by party name or case number. Older files may be in storage and take time to retrieve. Call ahead if you need records from many years ago.

Criminal background checks require a state-level search through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The Circuit Clerk can only search their own county records. For a full background check, use the ALEA system or a licensed background check company.

Conecuh County Property Records

Property records in Conecuh County go back to the early 1800s. The Probate Court has deed books, mortgage records, plat maps, and UCC filings. These show who owns land, what liens exist, and how property has changed hands over time.

To search property records, you can visit the courthouse or send a written request. The deed books have a grantor-grantee index. This lists who sold or gave property (grantor) and who received it (grantee). Look up a name in the index to find the book and page number. Then pull that book to see the full document.

Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost more. Plat copies have their own fee. The Probate Court can give you the current fee schedule. Fees can change, so check before sending payment by mail.

Tax records are kept by the Revenue Commissioner, not the Probate Court. Property tax info shows assessed values and payment history. The Revenue Commissioner office is also in the courthouse. They handle tax sales and redemptions too.

Conecuh County Recording Fees

Recording fees in Conecuh County follow state guidelines with some local additions. These fees apply when you file a deed, mortgage, or other document. The Probate Court collects fees for the state and county portions.

Common fees for Conecuh County:

• Recording a deed: base fee plus per-page charges
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $77 (no waiting period in Alabama)
• Plat recording: varies by size

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes go to the state. The county keeps the recording fees. Payment can be cash, check, or money order. Some offices take credit cards but may add a processing fee.

Vital Records in Conecuh County

Birth and death records from 1908 onward are at the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state office handles most requests now. Older records may still be at the county level. The Probate Court has some birth and death records from before 1908 when counties kept these locally.

Marriage licenses come from the Probate Court. Alabama ended the waiting period for marriages in 2019. You can get a license and marry the same day. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID. The fee is $77 statewide. No blood test or witnesses are required anymore.

Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk since divorces go through the court system. You can search divorce cases on Alacourt or request copies from the clerk. Certified copies of divorce decrees work as proof of divorce for remarriage or other legal needs.

For state vital records, contact the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. They have an online ordering system at alabamapublichealth.gov. Processing takes several weeks by mail. Expedited service costs more but is faster.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. Conecuh County offices must respond to records requests within a reasonable time. The 2024 updates to the Open Records Act set clearer timelines and fee limits. Standard requests should get a response within 15 business days.

To request records, contact the office that has them directly. For court records, go to the Circuit Clerk. For property records, go to the Probate Court. For county government records, contact the County Commission office. Each office has its own process.

Put your request in writing when possible. Include your name, contact info, and a clear description of what you want. Be specific about dates, names, or case numbers if you have them. This helps staff find records faster and keeps costs down.

Fees for copies are set by law. The county can charge for staff time on large requests but not for simple searches. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the district attorney or file a court case. Most routine requests get filled without problems.

Legal Resources for Conecuh County

Legal aid services cover Conecuh County residents who qualify by income. Legal Services Alabama has a regional office that serves this area. They help with civil matters like family law, housing, and benefits. Criminal cases need a private attorney or public defender.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. Call them for help finding an attorney who handles your type of case. Initial consultations are often low cost or free through the referral program. Many attorneys in the Evergreen area handle real estate, probate, and family law.

Self-help forms are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The website at alacourt.gov has forms for common matters. These include small claims, divorce, and custody cases. Forms are free to download but must be filed with the Circuit Clerk.

The Conecuh County Law Library may have resources too. Small counties often share resources with neighboring counties. Ask the Circuit Clerk about legal research options if you are representing yourself in court.

Cities in Conecuh County

Conecuh County has several small towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Conecuh County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Conecuh County Circuit Court in Evergreen. The county seat handles all county-level records regardless of which town you live in.

Cities and towns in Conecuh County include Evergreen (the county seat), Castleberry, Repton, and Lenox. None have populations over 100,000, so county offices handle all public records matters. The Evergreen area has the most services and is where the courthouse is located.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Conecuh County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Property may cross county lines, or you may need to check multiple counties for a complete search.