Crenshaw County Public Records

Crenshaw County public records are held by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Luverne. This rural south-central Alabama county has about 13,000 residents and uses state systems for most online record searches.

Crenshaw County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Crenshaw County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. It also issues marriage licenses and handles estate matters. The Probate Judge oversees all these functions from the courthouse in Luverne.

Property records in Crenshaw County go back many decades. The office maintains both current and historic land records. You can search these records in person at the courthouse. Staff can help you find what you need if you know the property address, owner name, or parcel number. Older records may take longer to locate since they are not all indexed the same way.

Marriage records are also kept at the Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Couples no longer need a ceremony or witnesses. They just file a form with the Probate Court. Crenshaw County charges a fee for the marriage certificate form and recording. You can get copies of marriage records here too.

Search Crenshaw County Records Online

Crenshaw County uses the state Alacourt system for online court records. The county does not have its own property records portal like some larger counties do. For property records, you need to contact the Probate Court directly or visit in person.

The Alacourt system covers all court cases in the county. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, traffic matters, and small claims. You can search by name or case number. The system shows case details, hearing dates, and case status. Document images cost extra to view and download.

For property records, some third-party services offer Crenshaw County data. These sites pull from state and county sources. They may charge a fee but can save you a trip to the courthouse. Always verify important records with the official county office before relying on them for legal matters.

Crenshaw County also participates in AL Tags, the state online services system. This lets you handle vehicle registration and tag renewals from home. While not a public records search tool, it does connect to county records for vehicle titling and registration purposes.

Crenshaw County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Crenshaw County. Court records are separate from property records at the Probate Court. The Circuit Clerk handles civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and more.

Crenshaw County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. This circuit includes Coffee and Pike counties as well. Circuit judges rotate between these counties to hear cases. Major felonies and civil cases over $20,000 go to Circuit Court.

District Court handles smaller matters. This includes misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims up to $20,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies. The District Court is also in Luverne at the county courthouse.

You can search Crenshaw County court records through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and gives you one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images run $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This covers all case types in the county.

If you need certified copies of court records, you must get them from the Circuit Clerk's office. Online records are for reference only. Certified copies are needed for legal proceedings, background checks, and official use. The clerk charges a per-page fee plus a certification fee.

Crenshaw County Recording Fees

Recording fees in Crenshaw County follow state guidelines with local additions. These fees apply when you record deeds, mortgages, and other documents. Fees can change, so check with the Probate Court before sending payment.

Standard fees you can expect:

• Deed recording: base fee plus per-page charges
• Mortgage recording: base fee plus per-page charges
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: additional certification fee
• Marriage certificate form: state-set fee

Alabama charges deed tax and mortgage tax on top of recording fees. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of the debt amount. These taxes go to the state and are collected by the county when you record.

For exact current fees, call the Probate Court at (334) 335-6568. They can tell you the total cost before you submit your documents. This helps avoid delays from short payments.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. This includes Crenshaw County records. You can make requests in person, by mail, or sometimes by phone or email. The county does not have a formal online request portal like larger counties.

For property records, go to the Probate Court. Bring as much detail as you can about what you need. Owner names, property addresses, dates, and book/page numbers all help. Staff will search their index and pull the records for you.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. You can search basic case info online first through Alacourt. Then request specific documents from the clerk. Some records are sealed or restricted. The clerk will let you know if something is not available.

Under recent changes to Alabama public records law, agencies must respond to requests within 15 business days. They can ask for more time if the request is complex. They must give you a reason if they deny access to any records.

Small rural counties like Crenshaw may take longer to process requests than big counties. Staff handle many duties and may not have someone dedicated to records requests. Be patient but follow up if you don't hear back in a reasonable time.

Legal Resources for Crenshaw County

If you need help with legal matters in Crenshaw County, several resources exist. Legal Aid of Alabama serves low-income residents across the state. They can help with civil matters like housing, family law, and benefits. They do not handle criminal cases.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. You can get a short consultation for a low fee. This helps you find out if you need a lawyer and what type. Call (800) 392-5660 to use this service.

For court forms, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts has standard forms online. These cover common needs like name changes, small claims, and protective orders. You can fill them out and file them with the Crenshaw County clerk.

The Crenshaw County law library may have resources too. Many courthouses keep basic legal materials for public use. Ask at the courthouse if such resources are available. Self-help materials can guide you through simple legal matters without a lawyer.

Cities in Crenshaw County

Crenshaw County has several small towns and communities. All property records are filed at the Crenshaw County Probate Court in Luverne. Court cases go through the Crenshaw County courts regardless of which town you live in.

The main communities in Crenshaw County include Luverne (the county seat), Brantley, Glenwood, Petrey, and Rutledge. Luverne is the largest with about 2,800 people. None of these cities have their own public records offices. Everything goes through the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Crenshaw County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Each county handles its own records separately.