Jackson County Public Records

Jackson County public records are managed by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Scottsboro. Located in the northeast corner of Alabama with about 52,000 residents, Jackson County provides access to property records, court cases, and vital records through its county offices.

Jackson County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Jackson County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees all recording functions and manages the official records of the county. Every land transfer in Jackson County must be recorded here to be valid against third parties.

The courthouse sits in downtown Scottsboro on the town square. You can visit in person to search records or request copies. The staff can help you find what you need if you know the property address or names on the deed. Older records may take longer to locate since they are stored in books rather than computer files.

Marriage licenses are also handled at the Probate Court. Alabama ended the requirement for a ceremony in 2019. Now you just fill out the form, both parties sign it, and file it with the Probate Judge. The fee is $70 for Alabama residents. No waiting period or blood test is needed.

Jackson County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Jackson County. This office is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic violations. Jackson County is part of the 38th Judicial Circuit, which serves only this county.

You can search Jackson County court records through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99. Document images run $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This is the same system used by all Alabama counties.

The Circuit Clerk office is in the courthouse. You can go there in person to look at case files. Bring ID and be ready to pay copy fees if you need documents. Some records are sealed or confidential, like juvenile cases and certain family matters. The clerk can tell you what you can and cannot access.

For more details, visit the Jackson County Circuit Clerk at jackson.alacourt.gov. The site has contact info and links to court forms. You can also find the court calendar and information about filing cases.

Jackson County Property Records

Property records show who owns land and buildings in Jackson County. These records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, releases, and liens. When you buy or sell property, the transaction gets recorded at the Probate Court. This creates a public record that anyone can search.

Jackson County property records go back to 1819 when the county was formed. The oldest records are handwritten in large bound books. More recent records are indexed by computer but still stored as physical documents. The county has been working to digitize older records, but the project takes time and funding.

To search property records, you can visit the Probate Court in person. You will need some basic information like the owner name, property address, or parcel number. The staff can show you how to use the index books or computer system. Once you find what you need, you can get copies for a per-page fee.

The Tax Assessor also has property information. This office maintains records about property values, ownership, and tax status. You can search these records online at the Jackson County Revenue Commissioner website. The site shows current owners, assessed values, and tax amounts due.

Jackson County Recording Fees

Jackson County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These are set by state law with some local variations. Fees can change, so call ahead if you need exact amounts before you send payment.

Common fees include:

• Deed recording: $15 for first page, $3 each additional page
• Mortgage recording: $15 for first page, $3 each additional page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $70

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

If you need to record documents by mail, call first to get the exact total. Include a check or money order payable to Jackson County Probate Court. Add extra for return postage if you want the original document sent back to you.

Jackson County Vital Records

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. In Alabama, the system is split between the state and county levels. Where you go depends on what you need and when the event happened.

Birth and death certificates are managed by the Alabama Department of Public Health. You can order them online at alabamapublichealth.gov or by mail. The state office has records from 1908 to present. For older records, you may need to check county or church records.

Marriage records are at the Jackson County Probate Court. The court keeps the original license applications and can provide copies. Marriage licenses have been kept at the county level since Alabama became a state. The Probate Court can search their records if you provide the names and approximate date.

Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk office. Divorces are handled as court cases, so the final decree is part of the court file. You can search for divorce records through AlacourtAccess or by visiting the clerk office in person.

How to Search Jackson County Records

There are several ways to search public records in Jackson County. The method you use depends on what type of record you need and whether you can visit in person.

In Person: Go to the courthouse at 102 East Laurel Street in Scottsboro. The Probate Court and Circuit Clerk are both in this building. Bring ID and be prepared to pay fees. Staff can help you use the search systems.

Online: Court records are on AlacourtAccess. Property tax records are on the Revenue Commissioner website. For property deeds and mortgages, Jackson County does not yet have a full online portal. You may need to visit in person or hire a title company to search.

By Mail: You can send written requests to either office. Include as much detail as possible about what you need. Add a check for estimated fees. The offices will contact you if more money is needed.

Phone: Call the offices to ask questions before you visit or send a request. They can tell you if the record exists and what it will cost. This saves time compared to making a trip without knowing what to expect.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama has strong public records laws that give people the right to access government documents. The main law is found in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law says that every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings.

Property records are open to anyone. You do not need to give a reason to look at deeds, mortgages, or other land records. Court records are mostly public too, but some are sealed or confidential by law. This includes juvenile records, adoption records, and some mental health proceedings.

The 2024 updates to Alabama public records law set new response times. Most requests must get a response within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge reasonable fees for copies but cannot charge for staff time to search.

If you have trouble getting records, you can file a complaint or take the matter to court. Under Alabama law, the requester can recover attorney fees if they win. This gives agencies an incentive to follow the law and provide records in a timely manner.

Cities in Jackson County

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

The main cities in Jackson County include Scottsboro (the county seat), Stevenson, Bridgeport, Section, Hollywood, and Pisgah. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all records are handled at the county level. For any public records in these communities, contact the county offices listed above.

Nearby Counties

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

Jackson County also borders Tennessee and Georgia. If a property or person crosses state lines, you may need to check records in those states as well. Tennessee records are managed by county clerks. Georgia uses a similar county-based system.

Additional Jackson County Resources

Beyond the main record offices, several other resources can help with your search.

Jackson County Revenue Commissioner: This office handles property taxes and maintains ownership records for tax purposes. The website has online search tools for property tax information. Visit the Revenue Commissioner page for more details.

Jackson County Sheriff: The sheriff office handles warrants, arrests, and inmate information. They also manage sex offender registration for the county. Some of this information is available online through the state law enforcement database.

Legal Aid: If you need help understanding records or navigating the legal system, Legal Services Alabama offers free help to those who qualify. They have offices throughout north Alabama and can assist with civil matters.

Title Companies: If you need a thorough property search for a real estate transaction, local title companies can help. They have experience searching Jackson County records and can provide title insurance.