Henry County Public Records

Henry County public records are managed by the Probate Office and Circuit Clerk in Abbeville. This rural southeast Alabama county has about 17,000 residents and provides online court records through the statewide Alacourt system.

Henry County Probate Office

The Probate Office in Abbeville handles property records for all of Henry County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. The office also issues marriage licenses and handles estate matters. You can visit in person to search records or request copies by mail.

Property record searches at the Probate Office are free. You only pay when you need copies made. Staff can help you locate documents if you know the approximate date or names involved. The office keeps land records going back many decades. Older records may require more time to find since they use different indexing systems than modern files.

Marriage licenses cost $91 in Henry County. This fee includes the ceremony if you use the Probate Judge. You must both appear in person with valid photo ID to get the license. There is no waiting period in Alabama, so you can marry the same day you get your license.

Henry County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk maintains all court records in Henry County. This covers civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations, and juvenile matters. Henry County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Houston County. The clerk's office is in the courthouse in Abbeville.

Court records include case filings, orders, judgments, and other documents from legal proceedings. You can search basic case information through the Alacourt online system. The physical files stay at the clerk's office in Abbeville. If you need certified copies for legal use, you must request them from the clerk directly.

Henry County uses the Ingenuity case management system. This connects to the statewide Alacourt network. The system tracks all case activity from filing through final disposition. Attorneys can file documents electronically through AlaFile. The public can view case information through AlacourtAccess.

Search Henry County Records Online

Henry County court records are available through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This is the same system used across all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name, case number, or other criteria. Basic searches show case type, filing date, and current status.

The search fee is $9.99 per name searched. This gives you a list of matching cases. Each case detail view costs another $9.99. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages. These fees go to the Alabama court system. You need to create an account and add payment info before you can access detailed records.

Property records in Henry County are not available online through a county portal. You need to visit the Probate Office in person or call to request searches. Some third-party services may have Henry County deed records, but the official source is the Probate Office. Staff can search by name or legal description if you call ahead with your request.

For real estate title searches, consider using a local title company or abstractor. They have experience with Henry County records and can search faster than doing it yourself. The county does not charge for you to come in and look through the index books. You only pay for copies you need.

Types of Court Records Available

Henry County courts handle several types of cases. Each has different records you can access. Understanding which court handles what helps you find records faster.

The Circuit Court handles major civil cases over $10,000, felony crimes, and appeals from lower courts. It also hears domestic relations cases like divorces and custody disputes. Circuit Court records go back many years and are the most commonly requested type.

The District Court handles misdemeanors, small claims up to $10,000, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Traffic tickets also go through District Court unless they involve serious offenses. These records are in the same Alacourt system as Circuit Court records.

Juvenile Court records have strict privacy protections under Alabama law. Most juvenile records are sealed and not available to the public. Only parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain agencies can access them. The court follows Alabama Rules of Juvenile Procedure for all access requests.

Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, and adoptions. These records are at the Probate Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Some probate matters are confidential, especially adoptions. You may need to show a valid reason to access certain probate files.

Henry County Recording Fees

Henry County follows standard Alabama fee schedules for most services. Fees can change, so call ahead to confirm current rates. The Probate Office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards may have an extra processing fee.

Common fees at the Probate Office:

• Deed recording: $15 for first page, $3 each additional page
• Mortgage recording: same as deeds
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $1 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Marriage license: $91

Court record fees are set by state law. The Circuit Clerk charges $1 per page for copies. Certified copies cost more. Filing fees for new cases vary by case type. A civil complaint costs around $300 to file. Small claims cases are cheaper. Ask the clerk for current filing fees before you submit documents.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. This applies to Henry County offices too. You can request records in person, by mail, or sometimes by phone or email. Some offices prefer written requests so they have a clear record of what you need.

For court records, your best bet is the Alacourt online system for basic info. If you need physical documents, contact the Circuit Clerk directly. Give them the case number if you have it. They can tell you what documents are in the file and how much copies will cost.

Property records requests go to the Probate Office. If you know the book and page number, that makes the search easy. Otherwise, give them names and approximate dates. They can search the grantor and grantee indexes to find what you need. Complex title searches may take several days to complete.

Under Alabama's open records law, the county should respond to requests within a reasonable time. There is no set deadline in state law, but most offices try to respond within a few business days for simple requests. Complex requests that need research may take longer. If you feel a request is being ignored, you can contact the Alabama Attorney General's office for help.

Legal Resources in Henry County

If you need legal help in Henry County, several resources are available. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. They can connect you with attorneys who practice in Henry County. Initial consultations are often free or low cost.

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. They handle cases involving housing, family law, benefits, and consumer issues. Their Dothan office serves Henry County. You can apply online at legalservicesalabama.org or call their intake line.

The Henry County Law Library is in the courthouse. It has Alabama codes, court rules, and legal forms. The library is open during courthouse hours. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find materials. Pro se litigants often use the library to research their cases.

For small claims matters under $10,000, you can represent yourself in District Court. The clerk's office has forms for filing claims and subpoenas. They cannot tell you how to fill them out or give legal advice. You may want to consult an attorney even for small claims to make sure you follow proper procedures.

Cities in Henry County

Henry County includes Abbeville, Headland, and several smaller communities. All property records file at the Henry County Probate Office in Abbeville. Court cases for Henry County residents go through the Abbeville courthouse.

Abbeville is the county seat with a population around 2,500. It sits in the center of the county. Headland is the largest city with about 4,700 residents. It is near the Houston County line. Other communities include Newville, Shorterville, and Haleburg. None of these cities have their own courts or record offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henry County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Houston County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Henry County.

Background Checks and Criminal Records

Criminal records in Henry County go through the Circuit Clerk for court cases. Arrest records are at the Henry County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff maintains booking records and incident reports. You can request these in person or by mail.

For statewide criminal history checks, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). They run background checks for employment and licensing purposes. The fee is around $25 for most checks. Fingerprints are required for official background checks used for employment.

Court records only show cases filed in that county. Someone who committed crimes in other counties would not show up in Henry County searches. For a complete picture, you need to check each county where the person lived or run a statewide check through ALEA.

Sex offender information is available through the Alabama Sex Offender Registry at alea.gov. This is a free public database. It shows registered offenders by name, address, or map location. The registry is updated regularly but may not show the most recent changes.

Vital Records in Henry County

Birth and death certificates in Alabama are handled by the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery. The Henry County Probate Office does not issue these certificates. You must order them from the state or use the VitalChek online service.

Marriage records are different. The Probate Office issues marriage licenses and keeps the original records. You can get certified copies of Henry County marriage certificates from the Probate Office. They have records going back to when the county was formed.

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. They stay with the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. If a divorce happened in Henry County, request copies from the Circuit Clerk in Abbeville. The state does not maintain a central divorce registry.