Lowndes County Public Records

Lowndes County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Hayneville. This small rural county in south central Alabama has limited online access, but the state Alacourt system covers court records.

Lowndes County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Lowndes County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The office is in the courthouse in Hayneville. All property transfers in the county must be filed here to be valid against third parties.

Lowndes County is one of the smaller counties in Alabama by population. The Probate Court staff can help you find records and make copies. You will need to visit in person or call ahead for most requests. The office does not have an online search portal for property records at this time.

Marriage licenses are also issued by the Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage process in 2019. Couples no longer need a ceremony. They fill out a form, have it notarized, and file it with the Probate Court. The fee is $70 for the license.

Lowndes County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Lowndes County. This covers civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and small claims. Lowndes County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Butler and Crenshaw counties. Cases are heard at the Lowndes County Courthouse in Hayneville.

You can search Lowndes County court records through the state Alacourt system. The Ingenuity platform powers all Alabama court case management. This means case info is available online even for small counties like Lowndes. Basic case info is free to view. Full case details and documents cost money.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com lets you search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case is $9.99. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. The Lowndes County Circuit Clerk portal is at lowndes.alacourt.gov.

Property Records in Lowndes County

Property records in Lowndes County go back to when the county was formed in 1830. The Probate Court has deed books, mortgage records, and plat maps. Older records are in bound volumes. Newer records may be indexed in a computer system, but images are not online.

To search property records, you need to visit the courthouse. Bring the property address or the names of past owners. Staff can help you find the right records in the grantor and grantee indexes. Once you find what you need, they can make copies for you.

The Revenue Commissioner handles tax records for Lowndes County. This office has info on property values, tax bills, and payment status. Tax sales happen when owners fail to pay. The Revenue Commissioner office is in the courthouse and can tell you about any liens or back taxes on a property.

If you need a title search for real estate, you can hire a local title company or attorney. They know the local records and can check for liens, judgments, and other claims. This is common when buying property or getting a mortgage. The Probate Court staff can point you to local title professionals if you need help.

Lowndes County Recording Fees

Lowndes County follows state fee guidelines for recording and copies. Fees may change, so call ahead to confirm current rates. The Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, and some credit cards.

Typical fees for Lowndes County include:

• Recording a deed: $13 for first page, $5 each added page
• Recording a mortgage: $13 for first page, $5 each added page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: $70

State transfer taxes apply when you record a deed. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These are collected at the time of recording. The Probate Court can calculate the exact amount based on your document.

Vital Records for Lowndes County

Birth and death records in Alabama are kept by the state. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery has records from 1908 on. You can order copies online through VitalChek or by mail. Local health departments can also help with vital records requests.

For older records, check with the Probate Court. Some counties have birth and death records from before the state started keeping them. Church records and cemetery records can also help fill gaps. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has many historical records that cover Lowndes County.

Marriage records are different. The Probate Court has marriage licenses from the county. Alabama stopped requiring ceremonies in 2019. Now couples file a marriage certificate directly with the Probate Court. Divorce records are court records and go through the Circuit Clerk.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. The state Open Records Act covers county offices including Lowndes County. Some records are exempt, like ongoing criminal investigations or certain personal info.

To request records from Lowndes County:

• Call or visit the office that has the records you need
• Be as specific as you can about what you are looking for
• Ask about fees before they start the search
• Allow time for staff to locate and copy records

There is no required form for public records requests in Alabama. You can ask in writing or in person. Written requests are good because they create a paper trail. The county must respond within a reasonable time. Complex requests may take longer than simple ones.

If a request is denied, the office should tell you why. You can appeal to the county commission or go to court if you think the denial was wrong. The Alabama Press Association has resources on public records rights that may help.

Historical Records and Research

Lowndes County has records going back to 1830. Early deed books and court records are at the courthouse. Some have been microfilmed for preservation. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has copies of many county records.

Family history researchers use Lowndes County records often. The county has census records, land grants, estate files, and military records. The Probate Court handled wills and estate matters, so those files can be rich sources of family information.

For genealogy research, also check the local library. The Lowndes County Public Library may have local history collections. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has microfilm of many Alabama county records available through local family history centers.

Cities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County has a few small towns but no cities over 100,000 population. All property records are filed at the Lowndes County Probate Court in Hayneville. Court cases go through the Lowndes County Circuit Court.

Towns in Lowndes County include Hayneville (the county seat), Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, Mosses, and White Hall. These are all small communities. Residents needing public records should contact the county offices in Hayneville.

Nearby Counties

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