Hale County Public Records

Hale County public records are held by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Greensboro. This rural county in west-central Alabama has about 14,000 residents and maintains records at the county courthouse.

Hale County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Hale County. This office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also oversees estate matters and adoptions. All property transactions in the county get recorded here.

The courthouse sits on Main Street in downtown Greensboro. This is where you go for any property-related records. The office staff can help you search for documents and make copies. They handle both current records and older files going back many years. Since Hale County is smaller, you often get faster service than in larger counties. The staff knows the local records well.

Hale County was formed in 1867 from parts of Greene, Marengo, Perry, and Tuscaloosa counties. Some older records may still be at those county offices. If you need a record from before 1867, check the parent county where the land was located at that time. The Probate Court can help you figure out which county to contact.

Hale County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Hale County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases. Hale County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Bibb, Dallas, Perry, and Wilcox counties.

You can search Hale County court cases through the state Alacourt system. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you look up case information online. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images run $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

The Circuit Clerk office is at the Hale County Courthouse. You can visit in person to search records or get copies. The staff there can help you find what you need. Some older case files may take longer to pull since they are stored offsite. Call ahead if you need records from many years back.

For basic case information, the county website at hale.alacourt.gov has contact details and office hours. This site does not have a searchable database. You need to use AlacourtAccess or visit in person to actually search cases.

Searching Hale County Records Online

Hale County has limited online access for property records. Unlike larger counties, there is no web portal to search deeds and mortgages remotely. You need to contact the Probate Court directly or visit in person. Some people hire a local title company to do searches for them.

Court records are easier to find online. The statewide Alacourt system covers all Hale County courts. You can search civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic matters from your computer. The system goes back to when the county started using electronic records. Older paper files are not in the online system.

For marriage records, the Probate Court can do a search for you. You need to give them the names and an approximate date. There is a small fee for the search plus the cost of any copies. Marriage records from Hale County date back to 1867 when the county was formed.

The Alabama Department of Public Health also has birth and death records. Hale County vital records filed since 1908 are in the state system. You can order copies through alabamapublichealth.gov or visit the Vital Records office in Montgomery.

Hale County Recording Fees

Hale County follows the state fee schedule for most recording and copy charges. Fees may change, so call the Probate Court to confirm current rates before sending payment. They accept cash, checks, and money orders.

Standard fees in Alabama counties include:

• Recording a deed: $8 for first page, $3 each additional page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $80 (state fee)

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These apply on top of recording fees. The Probate Court collects these taxes when you file documents.

For court records, Alacourt charges apply for online searches. In-person copies at the Circuit Clerk cost $0.50 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost more. Ask the clerk for the current fee schedule when you visit.

How to Request Hale County Records

Getting records from Hale County often means a phone call or visit. The county does not have an online request portal like larger counties do. You can call the office that has the records you need. They will tell you what information they need and what it costs.

For property records, call the Probate Court at (334) 624-4257. Give them the property address or the names of the parties. They can search their index and let you know what they find. You can then order copies by mail or pick them up in person.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk at (334) 624-4379. They need the case number if you have it, or the names of the parties and approximate dates. Some searches take longer than others depending on how much information you provide.

Mail requests work fine for simple orders. Include your return address, a phone number, and a check or money order for the fees. The office will mail copies back to you. Turnaround time varies but usually takes one to two weeks for straightforward requests.

Under Alabama law, most government records are open to the public. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Some records are restricted, like juvenile cases and sealed court files. The office will let you know if a record is not available.

Legal Resources in Hale County

Hale County residents can get legal help from several sources. Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents. They handle housing issues, family law, and public benefits cases. You can apply for help online or by phone.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with an attorney in the Greensboro area. The initial consultation is usually low cost. After that, you work out fees with the lawyer directly.

The Hale County Public Library in Greensboro has legal reference materials. You can research Alabama law and find court forms there. The library staff can help you find what you need, though they cannot give legal advice.

Self-help forms for common legal matters are at eforms.alacourt.gov. This includes divorce forms, name change petitions, and small claims forms. The forms come with instructions. You file them at the Circuit Clerk office.

Cities and Towns in Hale County

Hale County contains several small cities and towns. All property records get filed at the Hale County Probate Court in Greensboro. Court cases go through the Hale County Circuit Court. No cities in Hale County have a population over 100,000, so all records requests go through county offices.

The main communities in Hale County include Greensboro (the county seat), Akron, Moundville, Newbern, and Sawyerville. Greensboro has the largest population at around 2,500 people. Moundville is known for the Moundville Archaeological Park, a significant Native American site.

If you need records for a specific town, start at the county office in Greensboro. They handle all property records regardless of which town the property is in. For court records, the same applies. Everything goes through the county system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hale County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Some land in Hale County was part of these counties before 1867.

Tips for Searching Hale County Records

Before you start a records search, gather as much information as you can. Names, dates, and addresses all help narrow down results. The more details you have, the faster the search goes. Spelling variations matter too, especially for older records.

For property records, the legal description helps a lot. This is different from the street address. You can find it on a deed, tax bill, or plat map. The Probate Court indexes records by grantor and grantee names, so knowing who sold or bought the property is useful.

For court records, the case number makes searching easy. Without it, you need party names and a rough date range. Common names mean more records to sort through. Adding a middle initial or birthdate helps narrow results.

If you are researching family history, vital records are a good starting point. Marriage records are at the Probate Court. Birth and death records are through the state. Census records and military records are at the National Archives or online databases.

Title searches for real estate often require going back many years. Alabama requires showing a clear chain of title. A title company or attorney usually handles this, but you can do your own research at the Probate Court. The staff can show you how to use their index books.