Greene County Public Records

Greene County public records are kept at the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Eutaw. This rural county in Alabama's Black Belt has about 8,000 residents and uses state systems for online record access.

Greene County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Greene County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. The Probate Judge also processes marriage licenses and handles estate matters. All of these records are kept at the courthouse in Eutaw.

Greene County is one of the smaller counties in Alabama. The Probate Court staff is small but can help you find what you need. In-person visits work best here. Call ahead to make sure someone can assist you with your specific request. The office keeps regular business hours on weekdays.

Property records in Greene County date back to the 1800s. Some old records were lost to fire and decay over the years, but most modern records are intact. The county has worked to preserve older documents. You may need to search multiple indexes to find very old records, and staff can guide you through this process.

Search Greene County Records Online

Greene County has limited online record access compared to larger counties. The county does not have its own web portal for property searches. Most record requests require a phone call, mail, or an in-person visit. This is common for rural Alabama counties with smaller populations and budgets.

For court records, use the statewide Alacourt system. This is the best online option for Greene County searches. You can look up civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic matters through this portal. The state runs this system for all Alabama counties.

The Ingenuity system handles some Greene County records online. This platform lets you search court case information and some administrative records. Not all record types are available, but it gives you a starting point before you contact the county directly.

For property records like deeds and mortgages, you will likely need to contact the Probate Court. Some third-party services offer Greene County property searches, but they charge fees and may not have complete data. The most reliable way to get property records is still through the county office.

Greene County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Greene County. This office is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and small claims. The Circuit Clerk office is also in the Eutaw courthouse.

Greene County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Marengo County and Sumter County. One judge may handle cases in all three counties, traveling between courthouses. This is typical for rural circuits in Alabama with lower case volumes.

You can search Greene County court records through AlacourtAccess. This statewide system costs $9.99 for a name search. That includes one case detail. If you need more cases, each one costs $9.99. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This system works for all Alabama counties.

The Greene County Circuit Clerk website is at greene.alacourt.gov. This page has contact info and some basic court information. It connects to the statewide Alacourt system for case searches. You can also call the clerk office to ask about specific cases or request copies by mail.

Greene County Recording Fees

Greene County follows Alabama's standard fee schedule for most recording services. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before sending payment. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders for most services.

Typical fees you might encounter:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Recording fee for deeds: varies by document type
• Marriage license: around $70

Alabama deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes apply on top of local recording fees. The Probate Court collects these when you record a document. Ask for a full fee quote before you submit paperwork to avoid delays.

For court records, the Circuit Clerk sets separate fees. Copy costs vary based on the type of document. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. If you need records mailed to you, add postage costs. Call ahead to get the exact total so you can include the right payment.

How to Request Public Records

Greene County handles most record requests in person or by mail. There is no online portal for general public records requests like some larger counties have. You write a letter or call the office that has the records you need.

For property records, contact the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county records like meeting minutes or contracts, contact the County Commission office. Each office handles its own records.

Under Alabama law, public records must be provided within a reasonable time. The 2024 changes to state law set clearer timelines. Standard requests should get a response within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge fees for copies and search time.

To make a request, include your name and contact information. Describe the records you want as clearly as possible. Give dates, names, or other details that help the staff find the right documents. Ask about fees upfront so there are no surprises. The more specific you are, the faster you get results.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama's public records law gives citizens the right to access government documents. The law covers county records in Greene County and statewide. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, citizens can inspect and copy public writings.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Court records involving juveniles are sealed. Mental health records are private. Ongoing criminal investigations may be withheld. Personnel records have some protections. The county can deny requests that fall under these exemptions.

If you believe a record was wrongly withheld, you can appeal. Start by asking the office to reconsider. If that fails, you may need legal help. The Alabama Attorney General can sometimes assist with records disputes. Most routine requests do not run into these problems.

Greene County Vital Records

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records. In Alabama, these are handled at both the state and county level. Where you get them depends on the type of record and when the event happened.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Greene County Probate Court. You apply at the courthouse in Eutaw. Alabama no longer requires a ceremony or witnesses for marriage. You fill out the form, pay the fee, and sign together. The completed form is filed with the Probate Court.

Birth and death certificates are best obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state vital records office has records from 1908 onward. You can order online at alabamapublichealth.gov or by mail. Older records may require a search of county records.

Divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. If a divorce happened in Greene County, contact the Circuit Clerk in Eutaw. The state vital records office has a statewide index but may refer you to the county for copies.

Cities in Greene County

Greene County has a few small towns and communities. All property records are filed at the Greene County Probate Court in Eutaw. Court cases go through the Greene County Circuit Court. None of the cities in Greene County meet the population threshold for a separate page.

The main communities in Greene County include Eutaw (the county seat), Boligee, Forkland, and Union. Eutaw is the largest town with a few thousand residents. The other communities are quite small. All residents use the county courthouse in Eutaw for their record needs.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Greene County. If your records search leads to a neighboring area, click on that county for more details.

Getting to the Greene County Courthouse

The Greene County Courthouse is in downtown Eutaw on Morrow Avenue. Eutaw is about 30 miles southwest of Tuscaloosa. If you are coming from Birmingham, take I-20/59 west to Tuscaloosa, then head south on Highway 43.

Parking is available around the courthouse square. Street parking is free. The courthouse is a historic building, so expect some stairs. If you need accessibility help, call ahead and staff can assist you.

Plan your visit during business hours. The offices close for lunch in some rural Alabama counties, though Greene County typically stays open. Calling ahead is smart, especially if you need help with a complex search. Staff can tell you what to bring and what to expect.