Elmore County Public Records

Elmore County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Wetumpka. The county serves approximately 87,000 residents and provides online access to court records through the statewide Alacourt system.

Elmore County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Elmore County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The office is in the Elmore County Courthouse in downtown Wetumpka. All real estate transactions in the county must be filed here to become part of the public record.

The Probate Judge also oversees estate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments. Marriage licenses are issued at this office. You can get a license here even if the wedding will be somewhere else in Alabama. The cost for a marriage license is $70, which matches the state rate. There is no waiting period after you get the license.

Property records at the Probate Court go back many decades. The office has worked to digitize older records, though some very old documents may only be on paper. Staff can help you find what you need if you visit in person. Phone requests are limited since the staff is small.

Search Elmore County Records Online

Elmore County uses the Ingenuity system for online records access. This lets you search property records from your computer. The system is called Ingenuity CourtConnect, and it provides index information for land records. Some counties charge for access, while others offer free searching with fees only for document images.

To search Elmore County property records online, you will need to create an account. The registration process takes just a few minutes. Once you log in, you can search by name, book and page, or legal description. Results show basic index data. If you want to see the actual document, there may be a per-page fee.

The online system works well for recent records. For older records, you might need to visit the courthouse. The Probate Court staff can search records that are not yet in the online system. They can also help if you are having trouble finding something specific.

Third-party sites also aggregate Alabama public records. These can be useful if you need to search multiple counties at once. However, the official county records are always the most up-to-date and authoritative source. When in doubt, verify what you find online with the actual courthouse records.

Elmore County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Elmore County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and traffic violations. Elmore County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Autauga and Chilton counties.

You can search Elmore County court records through the Alacourt system. The Circuit Clerk website at elmore.alacourt.gov has local information and links to the statewide search. Alacourt is the official court records system for all Alabama courts.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com is the public portal. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Additional cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. These fees support the court system.

The District Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and preliminary hearings. The Circuit Court handles felonies, civil cases over $20,000, and domestic relations. Both courts file their records with the Circuit Clerk. All case files become public record unless sealed by a judge.

Criminal background checks often start with court records. Employers and landlords use these to screen applicants. You can run your own search on Alacourt to see what comes up under your name. This can help you know what others might find when they check on you.

Elmore County Recording Fees

Elmore County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These fees are set by state law with some local variations. It is a good idea to call ahead and confirm the current rates before you send payment by mail.

Standard fees for Elmore County records:

• Recording a deed: varies by page count
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $70
• Online image viewing: per-page fee through Ingenuity

The Probate Court accepts cash, check, and money order. Some services may allow credit card payment, but this can include a processing fee. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents mailed back to you.

Recording fees for deeds and mortgages include both state and county portions. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt amount. These transfer taxes apply to most real estate transactions in the county.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. The state public records law applies to county offices in Elmore County. You can request records in person, by mail, or sometimes by email. Some offices have their own request forms.

For property records, contact the Probate Court directly. They have the deeds, mortgages, and other land records. For court records, use the Alacourt system or visit the Circuit Clerk. Each office handles its own type of records.

General county records may be held by other offices. The County Commission handles administrative records. The Sheriff has law enforcement records, though some are exempt from disclosure. The Tax Assessor has property tax records and ownership information.

When you make a request, be as specific as you can. Give names, dates, case numbers, or other details that help staff find what you need. Broad requests take longer to process. The county may charge copying fees for large requests.

Under Alabama law, agencies should respond to records requests promptly. The 2024 updates to the public records law set clearer timelines. If you have trouble getting records, you may need to put your request in writing and cite the state public records act.

Vital Records in Elmore County

Birth and death certificates are handled by the state, not the county. The Alabama Department of Public Health maintains vital records. You can order copies online through the ADPH website or by mail. There is also a vital records office in Montgomery that serves the region.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Elmore County Probate Court. The current fee is $70. Both parties must appear with valid ID. There is no blood test requirement in Alabama. After the ceremony, the officiant files the signed license back with the Probate Court.

Divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk since divorces go through the court system. You would search for a divorce like any other civil case. The Alacourt system shows divorce filings along with other civil matters. Final decrees become part of the court file.

Cities in Elmore County

Elmore County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Elmore County Probate Court in Wetumpka. Court cases go through the Elmore County Circuit Court in the 19th Judicial Circuit.

The county seat is Wetumpka, which is also the largest city. Other communities include Millbrook, Prattville (partially in Autauga County), Tallassee, Eclectic, and Coosada. Each town has its own character, but they all rely on the county courthouse for records.

Millbrook has grown significantly in recent years. It sits near Montgomery and attracts people who work in the capital. Tallassee is on the Tallapoosa River and has a long industrial history. Eclectic is a small town in the northern part of the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Elmore County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Each county maintains its own set of records at its courthouse.