Dale County Public Records

Dale County public records are managed by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Ozark. The county is home to Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker, and has about 49,000 residents.

Dale County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Dale County handles property records, estates, and vital records. This office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also handles mental health commitments and adoptions. If you need a copy of a will or estate file, you go here.

The office sits in the Dale County Courthouse in downtown Ozark. Staff can help you find records by name or parcel number. You can search in person during business hours. Bring a valid ID for any certified copies. The probate staff also handles notary work and can accept filings for new documents.

Property records date back to 1824 when the county was formed. Some older records were lost in courthouse fires, but most files from the 1900s forward are intact. The office has made progress in scanning older documents into digital format. This helps preserve records and speeds up searches.

Search Dale County Records Online

Dale County uses the Ingenuity system for online records access. This lets you search property records from your computer or phone. You can find deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents without visiting the courthouse. The system is free to search, but there may be fees to view full document images.

The Ingenuity portal works well for title searches and basic lookups. You can search by name, book and page, or instrument number. Results show recording dates and document types. For legal matters, you may still need certified copies from the Probate Court directly.

Dale County has been adding older records to the digital system over time. Current records are available right away. Historical records from the early 1900s may take longer to find online. The county continues to scan and upload documents each month. If you cannot find an older record online, call the Probate Office for help.

Court records are separate from property records. For court cases, you need to use the Alacourt system instead. Property records and court records have different search portals in Alabama.

Dale County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records for Dale County. This covers civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations, and appeals. Dale County is part of the 33rd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court hears major cases while District Court handles smaller matters.

You can search Dale County court records through the state Alacourt system. Visit dale.alacourt.gov for the local court page. The AlacourtAccess portal at pa.alacourt.com lets you search case details online. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case. Each extra case costs $9.99 more.

The Circuit Clerk office is in the Dale County Courthouse. You can request copies in person. Bring the case number if you know it. Staff can search by party name too. Certified copies have extra fees. For criminal background checks, you may also need to contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Dale County courts handle a fair amount of cases each year. The presence of Fort Novosel adds to the local case volume. Military personnel and their families often need court services for various matters. The court works with the local bar association to provide legal help when needed.

Dale County Recording Fees

Dale County charges standard fees for recording and copies. These fees are set by state law with some local variations. Always check current rates before sending payment by mail. Fees can change.

Common fees in Dale County include:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $1 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Recording a deed: $5 for first page, $3 each extra page
• Recording a mortgage: $5 for first page, $3 each extra page
• Plat recording: varies by size

The county accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices take credit cards with a small fee. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Write the document details on your request letter. The probate office will mail copies back within a few business days.

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes apply on top of recording fees. The probate office collects these when you record a document.

Fort Novosel and Military Records

Dale County is home to Fort Novosel, which was called Fort Rucker until 2023. This Army base trains helicopter pilots and aviation personnel. The base has a big effect on local records because military families often need documents for moves and benefits.

Military personnel can get certified copies of local documents at the courthouse. Birth and death records for events on base go through the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Marriage licenses are handled by the Probate Court just like any other resident. The probate office is used to working with military families and can help with urgent requests when orders come through.

If you need military service records, those come from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The Dale County offices do not keep military service files. But any local records like deeds, court cases, or marriages are at the county level. The two systems are separate.

How to Request Public Records

You can request Dale County public records in person, by mail, or sometimes online. Each office has its own process. For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court cases, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county records, call the relevant department.

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. The state passed updates in 2024 that require agencies to respond within 15 business days. If a record is exempt from disclosure, the county must tell you why. You can appeal denied requests to the courts.

For faster service, provide as much detail as you can. Include full names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses. This helps staff find what you need quickly. Vague requests take longer to process. The county may charge search fees for extensive requests that take staff time.

Some records are not public. Juvenile cases, mental health records, and sealed files stay confidential. Adoption records have special rules. If you're not sure whether a record is public, ask the office. They can tell you what's available.

Dale County Vital Records

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. In Alabama, these records have different sources depending on the type.

The Dale County Probate Court issues marriage licenses. You apply in person with valid ID. Both parties must appear. The license is good for 30 days. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license for recording. You can get certified copies of marriage records from the Probate Court.

Birth and death certificates come from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. You can order these online, by mail, or in person at the state office. The state keeps records from 1908 forward. Older records may be at the county probate office or not available at all.

Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk's office. A divorce is a court case, so it falls under court records. You search for it the same way as any other civil case. The final decree and settlement terms are in the court file.

Cities in Dale County

Dale County has several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Dale County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Dale County Circuit Court. The county seat of Ozark has the most residents and services.

Major communities in Dale County include Ozark, Daleville, Level Plains, Midland City, Newton, Pinckard, and Clayhatchee. Daleville sits right next to Fort Novosel and serves many military families. Each town has its own character but shares county government services.

None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so records access is handled at the county level. For any public records in Dale County, the courthouse in Ozark is your main stop.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dale County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below.