DeKalb County Public Records

DeKalb County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Fort Payne. This northeast Alabama county has about 72,000 residents and is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit.

DeKalb County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for DeKalb County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also oversees estate matters, guardianships, and adoptions. All these records are public unless sealed by court order.

You can visit the courthouse in Fort Payne to search records in person. The staff can help you look up deeds by name or by legal description. They can also pull old records from the archives. Most searches take just a few minutes if you have the basic info ready.

Copies cost a small fee. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. If you need a document for a court case or a real estate closing, you will want the certified version. The Probate office can tell you which type you need for your situation.

Search DeKalb County Records Online

DeKalb County offers limited online access to property records. The county does not have a full land records portal like some larger counties do. However, you can still find basic info through state systems and third-party sites.

For property tax records, you can use the Alabama Department of Revenue website. This shows assessed values and tax amounts for parcels in DeKalb County. You can search by owner name or by parcel number. The data gets updated each year after the tax rolls are finalized.

GIS mapping for DeKalb County is available through the county's website. The maps show parcel boundaries, owner names, and some deed info. This helps when you need to find a specific piece of land. It also shows zoning and flood zone data for some areas.

For the most current deeds and mortgages, you still need to contact the Probate Court directly. They can do a search for you over the phone or by email. You pay for any copies they send. Mail requests work too if you include the right info and payment.

DeKalb County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in DeKalb County. This is a different office from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and small claims. Traffic tickets and misdemeanors go through the District Court.

DeKalb County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Cherokee County. Circuit judges rotate between the two counties. Complex civil cases and serious criminal matters go to Circuit Court. Simpler cases stay in District Court.

You can search DeKalb County court records through AlacourtAccess. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start a search. A name search costs $9.99 and shows basic case info. You pay more to see full case details and documents. The Circuit Clerk site at dekalb.alacourt.gov has local info and contact details.

Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors. Civil records cover lawsuits, divorces, and child custody. Some records are sealed, especially those involving minors. The clerk can tell you if a record you want is available.

DeKalb County Recording Fees

DeKalb County charges standard Alabama fees for most recordings. These fees go to both the state and county. The Probate Court collects them when you file a document. Cash, check, and money orders are accepted.

Common fees in DeKalb County include:

• Deed recording: $24 for first page, $3 each extra page
• Mortgage recording: $24 for first page, $3 each extra page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $77

Fees can change, so call ahead if you need exact amounts. The deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. The mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes add to the base recording fee. Large transactions can have tax bills in the hundreds or even thousands.

If you mail in a recording request, include extra money for any overage. The office will send back any excess. Or they will bill you if you come up short. It helps to call first and get an estimate.

DeKalb County Vital Records

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. In Alabama, the state health department keeps birth and death records. The Probate Court keeps marriage licenses.

To get a birth or death certificate, contact the Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. You can order online at alabamapublichealth.gov. Processing takes one to two weeks. Expedited service costs more but arrives faster.

Marriage licenses from DeKalb County are at the Probate Court. You can request a copy in person or by mail. Older records may take longer to find. The county has marriage records going back many decades. Some very old records have been microfilmed.

Divorce records come from the Circuit Clerk, not the Probate Court. A divorce is a court case, so the file stays with the court system. You can search for divorce records through Alacourt or request them directly from the clerk.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. This includes records held by DeKalb County offices. Some records are exempt, like medical files or ongoing investigations. But most are open to anyone who asks.

To make a request, contact the office that has the records you want. For property records, that is the Probate Court. For court cases, it is the Circuit Clerk. For county government files like meeting minutes or contracts, contact the County Commission office.

Put your request in writing when you can. This creates a record of what you asked for. Email works fine for most offices. Be specific about what documents you need. The more detail you give, the faster they can find your records.

Under Alabama law, agencies must respond in a reasonable time. There is no set deadline for most requests. Complex requests may take longer. Fees for copies are standard across the state. The county cannot charge you for search time in most cases.

Legal Framework for Public Records

Alabama's public records law is based on common law, not a single statute. Courts have ruled that citizens have a right to inspect most government records. Agencies must make records available during normal business hours.

Some records have extra rules. Court records follow the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. These rules say what is public and what is sealed. Property records are governed by recording statutes in the Alabama Code. The Probate Judge must record documents that meet legal requirements.

If an office denies your request, you can appeal. First try talking to a supervisor. If that fails, you may need to consult an attorney. Some denials are proper under exemptions. Others may be wrong. Knowing the law helps you get the records you need.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several towns and communities. Fort Payne is the largest city and serves as the county seat. All property records for the county are filed at the courthouse in Fort Payne, no matter which city the property is in.

Other communities in DeKalb County include Rainsville, Sylvania, Henagar, Ider, Collinsville, Crossville, Fyffe, Geraldine, Hammondville, Mentone, Pine Ridge, Powell, Shiloh, and Valley Head. Most of these are small towns with populations under 5,000. None of them have their own court systems or records offices.

If you need records for property in any DeKalb County city, contact the county Probate Court. Court cases from anywhere in the county go through the courts in Fort Payne.

Nearby Counties

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