Fayette County Public Records

Fayette County public records are kept at the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in the city of Fayette. This small rural county in west-central Alabama uses the statewide Ingenuity system for online court records access.

Fayette County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all property records in Fayette County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The office sits inside the Fayette County Courthouse on Temple Avenue North. Staff can help you search records and make copies.

Fayette County is a smaller county, so the Probate Court handles things a bit more directly than in larger areas. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The staff knows most of the local families and can often point you in the right direction if you are not sure what you need. They keep older records in bound books that go back to the 1800s. Newer records are stored in the computer system.

If you plan to record a document, bring the original and payment. Most deeds and mortgages get processed the same day if you come in early. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order. The office does not take credit cards by mail, though you can pay with a card in person.

Search Fayette County Records Online

Fayette County uses the Ingenuity system for online court records. This is the same platform used by many rural Alabama counties. You can search case information through the state Alacourt portal. Property records from the Probate Court are not available online at this time.

The Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com has Fayette County court records. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Basic searches are free. If you want to see case details or documents, you need to pay a fee. A name search costs $9.99 and gives you one case view. Each extra case is $9.99 more.

For property records, you still need to contact the Probate Court. Many small counties in Alabama have not digitized their property records for public online access. The Probate Court can do a search for you by phone or mail if you cannot visit in person. They charge a small fee for research time.

The Circuit Clerk website at fayette.alacourt.gov has contact information and some basic court schedules. It does not have a direct search function, but it links to the Alacourt portal.

Fayette County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains trial court records for Fayette County. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and small claims. Fayette County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Lamar and Pickens counties. The circuit judge rotates between the three courthouses.

Court records are public in Alabama under Administrative Rule 28, with some exceptions. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and some mental health records are not open to the public. If you need a certified copy for legal use, the clerk can prepare one for a fee.

The courthouse has one main courtroom. Criminal cases take priority on the docket, followed by civil matters. If you need to attend a hearing, check the schedule in advance. Court dates can change with little notice in smaller jurisdictions. The clerk's office posts the calendar each week.

Fayette County Recording Fees

Fayette County charges standard Alabama rates for most recording services. Fees can vary for different document types. Always confirm the current cost before sending payment by mail.

Standard fees for Fayette County include:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus $1 certification fee
• Recording a deed: $12 for first page, $3 each additional
• Recording a mortgage: $12 for first page, $3 each additional
• Marriage license: $79

Alabama charges a deed tax of $0.50 per $500 of property value. There is also a mortgage tax of $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes are collected at the county level when you record your documents. The Probate Court can give you an exact total before you pay.

Court filing fees are separate from recording fees. Civil filing costs depend on the type of case. Small claims start around $85. Circuit court civil cases cost more. The Circuit Clerk can tell you the exact amount when you file. Payment is due at the time of filing unless you qualify for a fee waiver.

How to Request Public Records

Fayette County accepts public records requests in person, by mail, or by phone. There is no formal online portal for general county records. You can submit a written request to the office that holds the records you need.

Under Alabama law, public records should be made available within a reasonable time. The 2024 updates to the Open Records Act set a 15 business day deadline for most requests. Complex requests may take longer if the county needs to gather materials from multiple offices or redact protected information.

For property records, contact the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county records like tax information, contact the specific department. The county does not have a central records office, so you need to know which department has what you are looking for.

If you are not sure where to start, call the main courthouse number and explain what you need. Staff can usually direct you to the right office. Written requests work best if you are specific about the record type, names involved, and approximate dates.

Fayette County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Alabama are now issued by the Probate Court. The old system that required a ceremony and witnesses changed in 2019. Now couples just fill out an affidavit and submit it to the Probate Court. No ceremony is needed.

Fayette County marriage licenses cost $79. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. The completed affidavit must be returned within 30 days to be recorded. Once recorded, the marriage is official.

To get a copy of a marriage record, visit the Probate Court where the marriage was recorded. Fayette County has marriage records going back many decades. Older records may take longer to locate. A certified copy costs about $3 per page. You do not need to show a reason to get a copy of a marriage record in Alabama.

Legal Resources in Fayette County

Fayette County residents who need legal help have a few options. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service that covers all counties. Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in northwest Alabama.

For family law matters like divorce or custody, you may be able to get help from:

• Legal Services Alabama - Tuscaloosa office: (205) 758-7503
• Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral: (800) 392-5660
• Alabama Law Help website for self-help forms

The Fayette County courthouse has some basic forms available for common filings. However, staff cannot give legal advice. If you are not sure how to fill out a form or whether you need one, talk to a lawyer first. Many offer free consultations for simple questions.

For criminal matters, if you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one for you. Tell the judge at your first appearance if you need a public defender. The judge will have you fill out a form showing your income and assets to see if you qualify.

Cities in Fayette County

Fayette County has several small towns and communities. All property records are filed at the Fayette County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Fayette County Circuit Court.

The main communities in Fayette County include Fayette, Berry, Belk, and parts of Glen Allen. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. For records from any location in Fayette County, contact the offices in the city of Fayette.

Nearby Counties

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