Houston County Public Records

Houston County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Dothan. As Alabama's youngest county, established in 1903, Houston County serves over 106,000 residents in the southeastern Wiregrass region of the state.

Houston County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Houston County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The current Probate Judge is Hon. Patrick H. Davenport. His office is in the Administration Building in downtown Dothan.

Houston County operates on a four-day work week. The office is open Monday through Thursday only. They are closed every Friday. This is different from most Alabama counties, so plan your visit accordingly. Call ahead if you need to confirm hours for a holiday week.

The Probate Court also handles wills and estates. If someone passed away in Houston County, this is where you file probate documents. The court maintains records of all wills that have been filed and probated. Estate records include inventories, accountings, and distribution orders.

Search Houston County Records Online

Houston County offers online access to certain public records. The county website provides links to various search tools and portals. For property records, you may need to visit the Probate Court in person for older documents. Newer records are being added to online systems over time.

The county has a dedicated attorney portal for legal professionals. This gives attorneys faster access to case information and filing options. If you are an attorney handling matters in Houston County, ask the clerk about portal access.

Tag renewals can be done online through the Alabama Tag Renewal system. Visit altags.com/houston_license to renew your vehicle registration. This saves a trip to the courthouse. You can pay with a credit card and your new tag comes in the mail.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. Now couples fill out a form and file it with the Probate Court. There is no ceremony required by the state. Houston County processes these applications during regular business hours Monday through Thursday.

Houston County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Houston County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases. You can search these through the state Alacourt system.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com covers all Houston County courts. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. The Circuit Clerk website is at houston.alacourt.gov.

Houston County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit includes only Houston County. The court hears civil cases, criminal cases, and domestic relations matters. District Court handles smaller civil claims, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. All these courts operate out of the Houston County Courthouse in Dothan.

Family court matters include divorce, custody, and child support cases. These records have some privacy protections. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile records have restricted access. However, divorce decrees and custody orders in adult cases are generally public record. You can request copies from the Circuit Clerk.

Houston County Recording Fees

Houston County follows the state fee schedule for recording documents. These fees apply to all documents filed with the Probate Court. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before you send payment.

Recording fees in Alabama are set partly by state law and partly by local rules. The base recording fee for most documents is around $30 to $50. Additional pages cost extra. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Current typical fees include:

• Recording a deed: approximately $30-50 for first page
• Additional pages: $3-5 per page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2-3 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license filing: approximately $70

Contact the Probate Court directly at (334) 677-4701 for exact current fees. Payment methods may include cash, check, or credit card. Some transactions have additional processing fees for card payments.

How to Request Public Records

Houston County responds to public records requests as required by Alabama law. You can submit a request in person, by mail, or by phone. Some offices may accept email requests. Be specific about what records you need.

Under Alabama law, public agencies must respond to records requests within a reasonable time. The 2024 updates to state open records law set clearer deadlines for responses. Standard requests should get a response within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer.

For property records, go directly to the Probate Court. For court records, use Alacourt or visit the Circuit Clerk. These offices have their own procedures for providing copies. The county government handles other records like minutes, budgets, and contracts.

There may be fees for copying records. The agency can charge reasonable costs for staff time on large requests. If you are denied access to records you believe are public, you can appeal to the county or seek legal advice.

Legal Resources in Houston County

Houston County residents have access to several legal resources. Legal Aid of Alabama provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle civil matters like housing, family law, and benefits. Call their intake line to see if you qualify.

The Houston County Bar Association can provide attorney referrals. If you need a lawyer for a court case or legal matter, they can help you find someone in the area. Many attorneys in Dothan handle real estate, family law, and criminal defense.

For self-represented litigants, the Alabama State Bar offers resources online. The circuit clerk can provide forms but cannot give legal advice. If you are filing paperwork on your own, review the court rules carefully.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Houston County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Houston County Circuit Court in Dothan.

Other communities in Houston County include Ashford, Cottonwood, Columbia, Cowarts, Kinsey, Madrid, Pansey, and Taylor. These smaller communities are served by the same county offices in Dothan.

Nearby Counties

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