Macon County Public Records

Macon County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Tuskegee. The county has about 18,000 residents and offers basic online access through the state court system.

Macon County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records in Macon County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses all go through this office. The courthouse sits in downtown Tuskegee on the town square. You might notice the clock tower when you arrive. It has gargoyles on it, which is rare in Alabama. In fact, this is the only courthouse in the state with that feature.

Most people visit in person to get copies of recorded documents. The staff can help you look up records by name, date, or parcel number. Call ahead if you plan to spend a lot of time there. The office sometimes gets busy, and they may ask you to come back later in the day. Bring a form of ID when you request certified copies.

Macon County is a smaller county, so the Probate Court handles fewer records than places like Jefferson or Mobile. This can work in your favor. Staff often have more time to help with tricky searches. If you need records from decades ago, ask about what is available in the archives. Some older books have not been digitized yet.

Search Macon County Records Online

Macon County has limited online options for property records. Unlike larger counties with their own web portals, Macon relies on the state system for court records. For deeds and mortgages, you will likely need to visit the courthouse or call the Probate Court to request copies by mail.

The good news is that court cases are searchable online. The state runs the Alacourt system, and it covers Macon County. You can look up civil cases, criminal cases, traffic matters, and family court filings. The site charges fees for detailed case information and document images.

If you need property records sent to you, here is what to do. Call the Probate Court and ask for the recording staff. Give them the property address or owner name. They will search for the document you need. Then you can pay by check or money order to have copies mailed. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Allow a week or two for delivery.

Some title companies and attorneys use third-party services that have indexed Macon County records. These can save time if you need to search a lot of properties. Ask your closing attorney if they have access to such a service.

Macon County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Macon County. This is a different office from the Probate Court. Civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, divorces, and other court matters go here. The Circuit Court is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Chambers, Randolph, and Tallapoosa counties.

You can search Macon County court records at pa.alacourt.com. A name search costs $9.99 and comes with one case detail. Each additional case is $9.99 more. Document images start at $5.00 for up to 20 pages. The search results show case numbers, filing dates, case types, and party names.

For people who want free information, you can visit the Circuit Clerk office in person. Ask to view the case file you need. There is no charge to look at files at the courthouse. You only pay if you want copies. Bring cash or a check, since some offices do not take cards.

The Macon County Circuit Clerk website is at macon.alacourt.gov. This site has basic information about the office, hours, and contact details. You can also find links to court forms and the state Alacourt system there.

Macon County Recording Fees

Macon County charges standard fees for most recording and copy services. These match what other Alabama counties charge. Still, you should confirm current rates before you send payment.

Here are common fees in Macon County:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Recording a deed: varies by page count
• Marriage license: $71 to $81

Alabama also has deed tax and mortgage tax. Deed tax is $0.50 for each $500 of value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 for each $100 of debt. These apply when you record a new deed or mortgage. The Probate Court collects these taxes at the time of recording.

If you mail a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This speeds up the process. Make checks payable to the Macon County Probate Court. Do not send cash through the mail.

How to Request Public Records

Macon County does not have an online portal for general public records requests like some larger counties do. You can still request records by phone, mail, or in person. Put your request in writing when you can. This creates a paper trail and helps the county track your request.

Under Alabama law, you have the right to access most government records. There are some exceptions for things like sealed court cases and certain personnel files. The county should respond within a reasonable time. Recent changes to state law set a 15 business day timeline for standard requests.

For property records, contact the Probate Court directly. For court records, use Alacourt online or visit the Circuit Clerk. For other county records, such as commission meeting minutes or budget documents, contact the county administrator office. Each office handles its own records.

Cities in Macon County

Macon County has a few small cities and towns. All property records are filed at the Macon County Probate Court in Tuskegee. Court cases go through the Macon County Circuit Court.

The main communities in Macon County include Tuskegee, Shorter, Notasulga, and Franklin. Tuskegee is the county seat and the largest town. It is home to Tuskegee University and the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, which honors Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver.

None of the cities in Macon County have populations over 100,000, so there are no individual city pages. All records for these communities are handled at the county level in Tuskegee.

Nearby Counties

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