Marengo County Public Records
Marengo County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Linden. This rural county in west-central Alabama has about 19,000 residents and uses the state Alacourt system for court record searches.
Marengo County Quick Facts
Marengo County Probate Court
The Probate Court is where you go for property records in Marengo County. This office handles deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also handles wills, estates, and guardianship matters. All recordings go through this office at the courthouse in Linden.
Marengo County was formed in 1818, making it one of the older counties in Alabama. The courthouse sits on the town square in Linden. Property records date back to the county's formation. Some early records were damaged or lost, but most land records from the mid-1800s forward are intact. The office keeps both paper records and some digital copies of more recent documents.
You can visit the Probate Court in person to search records. Staff will help you find what you need. They can make copies of recorded documents for a fee. Call ahead to check hours since rural county offices sometimes have limited schedules.
| Address |
101 E. Coats Ave Linden, AL 36748 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 295-2210 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Marengo County Records Online
Marengo County has limited online access for property records. Unlike larger counties in Alabama, Marengo does not have its own web portal for land records. This means you may need to visit the courthouse in person or submit requests by mail for many property-related documents.
For court records, you can use the statewide Alacourt system. This covers all Alabama trial courts including those in Marengo County. The system lets you search by name, case number, or other details. You will pay fees to view case information and documents.
To search Marengo County court records online:
- Go to pa.alacourt.com (AlacourtAccess)
- Select Marengo County from the dropdown
- Search by name or case number
- A name search costs $9.99
- Each case detail costs $9.99
- Document images cost $5.00 for up to 20 pages
The Marengo County Circuit Clerk also has a page at marengo.alacourt.gov. This has basic contact information and links to the state court system. It does not have a local records search function.
Marengo County Court Records
The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records for Marengo County. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and small claims. The office is in the Marengo County Courthouse in Linden.
Marengo County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Greene, Sumter, and Choctaw counties. A circuit judge travels between these counties to hear cases. District court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
You can search court records through Alacourt online. For older cases or detailed research, you may need to visit the clerk's office. The staff can pull files and make copies. They charge per-page fees for copies of court documents.
Common court record requests in Marengo County include:
- Criminal background checks
- Civil judgment searches
- Divorce records and decrees
- Child support and custody orders
- Traffic violation records
- Small claims judgments
| Circuit Clerk |
101 E. Coats Ave Linden, AL 36748 Phone: (334) 295-2208 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Marengo County Property Records
Property records in Marengo County are held at the Probate Court. When someone buys land, the deed gets recorded here. The same goes for mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents that affect real estate. These records are public and anyone can search them.
Marengo County has a lot of rural land. Many records involve farmland, timber tracts, and hunting property. The Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers run through parts of the county. Waterfront property records may include riparian rights and flood zone information.
To find property records, you have a few options. You can visit the Probate Court and search the index books yourself. Staff can help you if you are not sure how the system works. You can also hire a title company or abstractor to do a title search for you. This is common when buying property.
The Tax Assessor's office has related information. They keep parcel data, property values, and ownership info for tax purposes. This can be a good starting point if you need to identify who owns a piece of land. The Tax Assessor is in the courthouse building.
Marengo County Vital Records
Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. In Alabama, these records are handled at both the state and county level. Where you go depends on what you need and when the event happened.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Marengo County Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage law in 2019. Now couples fill out a form and file it with the Probate Court. There is no ceremony requirement. The Probate Court keeps marriage records on file and can make certified copies.
For birth and death certificates, the Alabama Department of Public Health is the main source. They have records from 1908 to present. You can order certificates online through vitalrecords.adph.state.al.us or by mail. The county health department in Linden may also be able to help with some requests.
Older vital records can be tricky to find. Before 1908, Alabama did not require vital records registration statewide. For births and deaths before that date, you may need to check church records, cemetery records, or census data. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has some historical vital records.
Marengo County Recording Fees
Marengo County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These fees are set by state law with some local variation. Always confirm current fees before sending payment since they can change.
Standard fees in Marengo County include:
- Recording a deed: around $15-20 for first page, plus per-page fees
- Recording a mortgage: similar to deed fees
- Certified copy: $1 per page plus certification fee
- Plat recording: varies by size
- Marriage license: around $70-80
Payment methods vary. The Probate Court may accept cash, check, or money order. Some offices take credit cards but charge a processing fee. Call ahead if you need to know the exact amount or payment options before your visit.
Alabama also charges deed tax and mortgage tax on real estate transactions. The deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of value. The mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes are collected when you record the document.
How to Request Public Records
Alabama has a public records law that gives people the right to access government records. This applies to Marengo County offices. Most records are open to the public. Some records have restrictions, like juvenile court files or sealed cases.
To request records from Marengo County, you can:
- Visit the office in person
- Call and ask about the record you need
- Send a written request by mail
- Some offices accept email requests
Be specific about what you are looking for. Include names, dates, and any case numbers or document references you have. This helps staff find records faster. If you are not sure exactly what you need, explain your situation and ask for guidance.
Response times vary. Simple requests may be handled while you wait. Complex requests or those requiring research can take longer. Under recent changes to Alabama law, agencies must respond within a set timeframe. If a request is denied, you have the right to appeal.
Legal Resources in Marengo County
If you need help with legal matters in Marengo County, there are some resources available. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents in west Alabama.
Legal Services Alabama covers Marengo County. They help with civil legal issues like housing, family law, and public benefits. Income limits apply for their free services. Contact them through legalservicesalabama.org to see if you qualify.
The Marengo County law library may have resources for self-represented parties. The courthouse staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain procedures and forms. If you are handling a legal matter on your own, take time to understand the rules before filing anything.
For criminal matters, the Public Defender's office serves those who cannot afford an attorney. You can request a public defender at your first court appearance. The judge will determine if you qualify based on your income.
Cities in Marengo County
Marengo County has several small towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Marengo County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Marengo County Circuit Court in Linden.
The main communities in Marengo County include Linden (the county seat), Demopolis, Thomaston, Dixons Mills, Sweet Water, and Myrtlewood. Demopolis is the largest town and has some city services. It sits on the Tombigbee River and serves as a commercial hub for the area.
None of these cities have their own record-keeping systems separate from the county. For any public records in these communities, you will work with Marengo County offices.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Marengo County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Each county has its own Probate Court and Circuit Clerk.