Lee County Public Records

Lee County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Opelika. With a population of roughly 175,000, Lee County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama and home to Auburn University.

Lee County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Lee County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage certificates. The Probate Court office is in the Lee County Courthouse in downtown Opelika. All land records get filed here, and the staff can help you find what you need.

Lee County has seen steady growth over the past two decades. This means more real estate transactions than most rural Alabama counties. The Probate Court processes hundreds of deed recordings each month. If you are buying or selling property in Lee County, you will work with this office at some point.

The office keeps records going back many years. Older records may need extra time to locate. Staff can search by name, parcel number, or book and page if you have that info. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, but calling ahead can save time if you have a large request.

Search Lee County Records Online

Lee County uses the Ingenuity system for online records access. This system lets you search probate records from your computer or phone. You can look up deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents without going to the courthouse.

The Ingenuity portal is at ingprobate.com. You will need to select Lee County from the list of available counties. The system shows index information for free. To view actual document images, you may need to pay a small fee or create an account.

Here is what you can find online:

• Deed records and transfers
• Mortgage documents
• Liens and releases
• Marriage license records
• Plat maps and surveys

The online system works well for basic searches. If you need certified copies, you still have to get those from the Probate Court in person or by mail. The staff can mail copies to you if you send payment and a self-addressed envelope.

Some older records may not be in the online system yet. Lee County has been working to digitize historical documents. But very old records from the late 1800s and early 1900s might only be available on paper at the courthouse. Call ahead if you need something from that time period.

Lee County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Lee County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases. Lee County is part of the 37th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

You can search Lee County court records through the state Alacourt system. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com covers all Lee 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 lee.alacourt.gov. You can find contact info and office hours there. The clerk handles case filings, court payments, and records requests for all courts in the circuit.

Lee County courts handle a high volume of cases. Auburn University brings a large student population, which affects the types of cases filed. Traffic court is especially busy. The courts also see many landlord-tenant disputes due to the rental market near campus.

For criminal background checks, the Lee County Sheriff maintains arrest records. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) handles official state background checks. Court records show case outcomes, but arrest records are separate.

Lee County Recording Fees

Lee County follows the state fee schedule for recording documents. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before you send payment. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some credit card payments may be accepted with an added service fee.

Common fees for Lee County:

• Recording fee (first page): $10 to $20
• Each additional page: $5
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 to $5 per page
• Marriage license: $70 to $80

Deed tax applies to property transfers in Lee County. The state deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes get paid when you record the document. The Probate Court staff can calculate the exact amount for your transaction.

If you mail a request, include extra funds to cover any unexpected costs. The office will return any overpayment to you. Make checks payable to Lee County Probate Court. Include a phone number in case they have questions about your request.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law guarantees public access to most government records. Lee County follows the state public records law. You have the right to inspect and copy records during normal business hours. Some records are exempt from disclosure, such as certain personnel files and ongoing investigation files.

To request public records from Lee County:

• Visit the office that has the records
• Submit a written request by mail or email
• Be as specific as possible about what you need
• Pay any required copy fees

For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court records, use Alacourt or visit the Circuit Clerk. For other county government records, contact the relevant department. The county may take up to 15 business days to respond to standard requests under the 2024 law changes.

You do not need to give a reason for requesting public records. The county cannot ask why you want the information. However, providing some context can help staff find the right records faster. Be patient with complex requests that require pulling old files from storage.

Auburn University and Public Records

Auburn University is a major institution in Lee County. The university has its own records that may not be part of county files. For university-related records, you may need to contact Auburn directly.

Student records are protected under federal law (FERPA). The university does not release these to the public. But many university operations create public records. Construction projects, property purchases, and contracts may be available through standard public records requests.

The large student population affects Lee County records in several ways. More rental agreements get filed. More traffic cases go through court. And more name searches happen as students apply for jobs and housing. Keep this in mind when searching for common names. There may be multiple people with the same name in the Lee County system.

Cities in Lee County

Lee County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Lee County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Lee County Circuit Court in the 37th Judicial Circuit.

Other cities in Lee County include Opelika (the county seat), Phenix City (partially), Smiths Station, and Beauregard. Opelika has a population of around 30,000 and serves as the government center for the county. Auburn is the largest city with over 75,000 residents, driven largely by the university.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lee County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Some people have ties to multiple counties, so you may need to search in more than one place.

Chambers County is to the north. Macon County is to the west. Russell County is to the south and includes part of the Phenix City area. Tallapoosa County is to the northwest. Each county has its own Probate Court and Circuit Clerk.