Search Madison County Public Records

Madison County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Huntsville. With a population of about 388,000, this is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama and offers free online access to many records.

Madison County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Madison County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge oversees all recordings and maintains the official county records. Madison County has one of the oldest record collections in the state, with probate records dating back to 1809.

The main Probate Office sits on the North Side Square in downtown Huntsville. This is where you go for most records requests, marriage licenses, and document recording. The county also runs a Service Center on Memorial Parkway for added convenience. Both locations can help you find and copy the records you need.

Search Madison County Records Online

Madison County offers free online access to public records. Unlike many Alabama counties that charge fees just to search, Madison County lets you look up records at no cost. You can view document indexes and many images without paying anything. This makes it one of the best counties for remote research.

The online system includes these types of records:

• Real property deeds and transfers
• Mortgages and liens
• Marriage records
• Probate case files
• Land plats and surveys

Visit the Madison County Probate website to access the free records portal. The system is easy to use. You can search by name, date, or document type. Historical records from 1809 have been digitized and added to the database over the years. Some older documents may need an in-person visit to view.

Property Fraud Protection

Madison County provides a free Property Change Notification System. This tool sends you an alert when any document is filed that affects your property. It helps catch deed fraud early. Sign up through the Probate Court website. The service costs nothing and takes just a few minutes to set up.

Madison County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records separate from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic violations. Madison County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which handles only Madison County. This makes the court system more streamlined than in smaller circuits that share multiple counties.

You can search Madison County court records through AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. The state system covers all Alabama courts. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. More cases cost $9.99 each. Document images run $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

The Circuit Clerk has its own website with local information. Visit madisoncountycircuitclerk.org for forms, fee schedules, and office hours. The clerk office sits in the Madison County Courthouse. You can request records in person or by mail if you prefer not to use the online system.

Types of Court Records Available

Madison County courts handle a high volume of cases each year. The records you can access include:

• Civil lawsuits and judgments
• Criminal case files and dispositions
• Divorce and family court records
• Domestic relations orders
• Traffic and municipal violations
• Probate litigation

Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases stay sealed unless a court opens them. Adoption files are confidential. Domestic violence cases may have limits on what you can view. The clerk staff can tell you what is available for a specific case.

Madison County Recording Fees

Madison County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. The Probate Court sets these rates. Fees can change, so check the current schedule before you send a payment. The county accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for most transactions.

Standard fees for Madison County include:

• Document recording: varies by document type
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Marriage license: set by state law
• Plat copies: varies by size

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax runs $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes apply in Madison County on top of the recording fees. Large transactions can add up quickly, so budget for both the fees and taxes when you plan a real estate closing.

How to Request Public Records

Madison County handles public records requests through its departments. For property records, contact the Probate Court directly. For court files, go to the Circuit Clerk. Other county records may go through different offices depending on what you need.

You can make requests in several ways:

• In person at the courthouse
• By email to the relevant department
• By mail with a written request
• Online through available portals

Alabama law gives agencies 15 business days to respond to standard requests. Complex requests may take longer. The county can charge reasonable fees for search time and copies. Be as specific as you can about what you need to speed up the process and keep costs down.

Federal Records in Madison County

Madison County is home to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. These federal facilities generate their own records separate from county systems. If you need records related to federal employment or contracts, you must go through federal channels, not the county.

For federal records, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the relevant agency. NASA has its own FOIA process. The Army handles Redstone Arsenal requests separately. County offices cannot access or provide federal records even if the activity happened in Madison County.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Madison County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Madison County Circuit Court in Huntsville.

Other communities in Madison County include New Hope, Owens Cross Roads, Meridianville, Hazel Green, and Triana. These smaller areas use Madison County services for all public records.

Nearby Counties

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