Lauderdale County Public Records

Lauderdale County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Florence. The county serves the Shoals area in northwest Alabama with about 93,000 residents.

Lauderdale County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Florence handles all property records for Lauderdale County. This office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage records. The Probate Judge also handles estate matters and mental health commitments. All real property transfers in the county go through this office.

You can visit the courthouse in person to search records. The staff will help you find what you need. Bring the property address or names of the parties if you have them. This makes your search go faster. The office stays busy, so plan extra time if you need certified copies.

Search Lauderdale County Records Online

Lauderdale County uses the Ingenuity system for online records access. This lets you search property records from home or your office. The system covers deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. You can search by name, book and page, or instrument number.

To use the online system, go to the Ingenuity portal. Basic searches are free. You can view an index of records without paying. If you want to see the actual document image, there is a fee. The system accepts credit cards for payment.

The online records go back several decades. Older records may need an in-person search. The Probate Court has been working to scan historical documents. Check with the office if you need records from before the online cutoff date. They can tell you what is available and what you will need to request in person.

What You Can Find Online

The Ingenuity system contains these record types:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgages and mortgage releases
• Liens and lien releases
• Plats and surveys
• Powers of attorney
• UCC filings
• Marriage certificates

Visit the Lauderdale County Probate website for a link to the online records portal. They update the online system regularly. New recordings show up within a few days of filing.

Lauderdale County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Lauderdale County. This is a different office from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorces, and traffic violations. The Circuit Clerk also handles appeals and jury administration.

You can search court records through the state Alacourt system. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you look up cases from any Alabama county. A name search costs $9.99. This includes one case detail. More cases cost $9.99 each. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

The Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk website is at lauderdale.alacourt.gov. This site has contact info and basic court information. For case details, you still need Alacourt or an in-person visit.

Court Divisions

Lauderdale County is part of the 39th Judicial Circuit. This circuit only covers Lauderdale County. The county has Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court. Each handles different types of cases.

Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases. It also handles civil cases over $20,000. Divorce cases and child custody matters go here too. District Court covers misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic cases. The Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, and adoptions.

Lauderdale County Recording Fees

Lauderdale County charges standard fees for recording documents. These fees apply to deeds, mortgages, and other instruments. Fees can change, so call ahead to confirm current rates.

Common fees for Lauderdale County:

• Recording fee: $25 for first page, $10 each additional page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Plat copies: $15 each

Alabama deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. This applies to warranty deeds and other transfers for value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. Both taxes go partly to the state and partly to the county. The Probate Court collects these at recording.

Payment methods vary by office. The Probate Court takes cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices accept credit cards with a fee. Call ahead if you plan to use a card. Online payments through Ingenuity use credit cards.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama has open records laws that give you the right to access government documents. Most records in Lauderdale County are open to the public. Some records are restricted by law, like sealed court files and certain personnel records.

For property records, go to the Probate Court. You can search in person or use the online system. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk or use Alacourt. For other county records, contact the specific department that keeps the records.

Under Alabama law, agencies must respond to records requests in a reasonable time. Recent law changes set clearer timelines. Standard requests should get a response within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer. The agency must tell you if they need more time.

You can submit records requests in writing or in person. Include as much detail as you can. Give names, dates, and any reference numbers you have. This helps the staff find what you need faster. They may charge for copies and research time on complex requests.

Vital Records in Lauderdale County

Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. In Alabama, these are handled at both the state and county level. The Lauderdale County Probate Court has marriage records. The Health Department handles birth and death records.

For marriage records, contact the Probate Court. They have records for marriages that took place in Lauderdale County. Marriage licenses are also issued by the Probate Court. Since 2019, Alabama no longer requires a ceremony. You just need a signed marriage certificate filed with the Probate Court.

For birth and death certificates, contact the Lauderdale County Health Department or the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state office is at alabamapublichealth.gov. You can order records online through VitalChek or by mail. There are fees for copies.

Property Tax Records

The Lauderdale County Revenue Commissioner handles property tax records. This office assesses property values and collects taxes. You can look up tax records to see what someone owes or has paid. This is useful when buying property.

Property tax records show the assessed value, tax rate, and payment history. They also show the property description and owner name. The Revenue Commissioner website has online access to tax records. You can search by name, address, or parcel number.

Cities in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County has several cities and towns. Florence is the largest city and the county seat. All property records for these areas are filed at the Lauderdale County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Lauderdale County Circuit Court.

Major communities in Lauderdale County include Florence, Killen, Rogersville, Lexington, Anderson, St. Florian, and Waterloo. The county is part of the Shoals area, which also includes cities in neighboring Colbert County. None of the cities in Lauderdale County have their own records offices, so all records go through the county.

Nearby Counties

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

Lauderdale County sits on the Tennessee River in the northwest corner of Alabama. Colbert County is directly to the south. Lawrence County is to the southeast. Limestone County is to the east. The Tennessee state line forms the northern border.

Legal Resources

If you need help with legal matters in Lauderdale County, several resources are available. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. Legal Services Alabama helps people who cannot afford an attorney.

The Lauderdale County Courthouse has a law library open to the public. You can research statutes, case law, and forms there. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find materials. The state also has online resources at the Alabama Judicial System website.

For self-help forms, check alacourt.gov. They have forms for common legal matters. Divorce, small claims, and name changes have standard forms. Read the instructions carefully before filing.