Lawrence County Public Records

Lawrence County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Moulton. This rural county in northwest Alabama has about 33,000 residents and uses the Ingenuity system for online court records access.

Lawrence County Probate Court

The Lawrence County Probate Court handles property records for the county. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. They also issue marriage licenses and handle estate matters. The Probate Judge oversees all these functions from the courthouse in Moulton.

Property records in Lawrence County date back to the early 1800s. The county was one of the first formed in Alabama, so it has a long history of land transactions on file. Some older records may have gaps due to fires or damage over the years. Staff can help you search what is available.

The Probate Court is located in the Lawrence County Courthouse in downtown Moulton. You can visit in person to search records or request copies. The staff will assist you with finding what you need. Searches by name or property description are common starting points.

Search Lawrence County Records Online

Lawrence County uses the Ingenuity system for court records. This is different from some other Alabama counties that use other platforms. The Ingenuity system lets you look up case information from Circuit Court, District Court, and other court divisions in Lawrence County.

To use the online system, you can access it through the Circuit Clerk website. The system shows case numbers, parties involved, charges in criminal cases, and filing dates. You may need to create an account for full access. Some features require payment to view detailed documents.

For property records like deeds and mortgages, you will need to check with the Probate Court. Not all property records are online yet in Lawrence County. The Probate Court can tell you what is available electronically and what requires an in-person search.

The state Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com also covers Lawrence County courts. A name search costs $9.99 and shows one case detail. Additional cases are $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for up to 20 pages. This gives you another way to find court case info.

Lawrence County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Lawrence County. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and traffic cases. The clerk files and stores all court documents. They also handle jury management for the county.

Lawrence County is part of the 36th Judicial Circuit. This circuit only contains Lawrence County, so the judges focus on cases from this area alone. Circuit Court handles felonies and civil cases over $10,000. District Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic tickets.

The Circuit Clerk office is in the Lawrence County Courthouse. You can request copies of court records in person or by mail. There are fees for copies and certified documents. Call ahead to confirm current fees before you send a request by mail.

Criminal records show arrest information, charges filed, court dates, and case outcomes. Civil records show lawsuits between parties, judgments, and settlements. Family court records include divorce cases, custody matters, and child support cases. Some family and juvenile records have restricted access to protect privacy.

Lawrence County Recording Fees

Lawrence County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These fees follow state guidelines but the county sets some rates. Always confirm current fees before sending payment by mail.

Standard fees in Lawrence County include:

• Deed recording: varies by page count
• Mortgage recording: varies by page count
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $77 (state standard)

Court record fees are separate from property recording fees. The Circuit Clerk sets fees for court document copies. Certified copies of court records cost more than regular copies. Online access through Alacourt has its own fee schedule.

Some records searches are free if you do them yourself at the courthouse. Staff assistance may involve search fees depending on how complex the request is. Large requests for many documents will cost more. Ask for a cost estimate before the staff begins a big search.

How to Request Public Records

Lawrence County follows Alabama open records laws. Most government records are available to the public upon request. You can ask for records in person, by mail, or sometimes by email. The county must respond within a reasonable time.

Under state law, agencies must respond to records requests within 15 business days for standard requests. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge reasonable fees for search time and copies. They must tell you the cost before doing the work if you ask.

For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court records, go to the Circuit Clerk. For other county records like commission minutes or financial reports, contact the county administrator. Each office handles its own records.

Some records have restricted access. Sealed court files cannot be viewed without a court order. Juvenile records are protected. Some adoption records are confidential. If a record is restricted, the office will tell you why they cannot release it.

To make a records request, put it in writing if possible. Include your name, contact info, and a clear description of what you want. Be as specific as you can. Vague requests take longer to process because staff has to figure out what you mean.

Lawrence County Tax Records

The Revenue Commissioner handles property tax records in Lawrence County. This office assesses property values, calculates taxes, and collects payments. Tax records show who owns property, its assessed value, and payment history.

You can search property tax records to find ownership info. Tax maps show property boundaries and parcel numbers. This helps when you need to identify a specific piece of land. The Revenue Commissioner office is in the courthouse.

Delinquent tax records show properties with unpaid taxes. Alabama allows tax lien sales on properties with long-overdue taxes. The county publishes lists of properties going to tax sale. These records are public and available at the Revenue office.

Cities in Lawrence County

Lawrence County has several towns and communities. All property records are filed at the Lawrence County Probate Court in Moulton. Court cases go through the Lawrence County court system based on where the matter arose.

Major communities in Lawrence County include Moulton (the county seat), Town Creek, Courtland, and Hillsboro. There are also several smaller communities and unincorporated areas throughout the county. None of these cities meets the population threshold for a dedicated page, but residents can access all county services in Moulton.

Nearby Counties

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