Morgan County Public Records

Morgan County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Decatur. The county serves about 120,000 residents in the Tennessee Valley and uses the Ingenuity system for online probate records access.

Morgan County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Morgan County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The office is in the Morgan County Courthouse in downtown Decatur. Staff can help you find records and make copies.

Property transfers in Morgan County must be recorded at this office. The Probate Judge oversees wills, estates, and guardianship matters too. You can file documents in person during business hours. The recording office has its own section where clerks process new filings each day.

Search Morgan County Records Online

Morgan County uses the Ingenuity system for online probate records. This web-based portal lets you search property records from your computer or phone. The system is hosted at ingprobate.com and covers deed records, mortgages, and other recorded documents.

The online index goes back several decades. You can search by name, date, book and page, or instrument number. Basic searches are free. Viewing document images may require a small fee or subscription. The system updates regularly as new documents get recorded.

To use the portal:

• Go to ingprobate.com
• Select Morgan County from the list
• Choose your search type (name, date, etc.)
• Enter your search terms
• Review results and view documents

For older records not in the online system, you will need to visit the courthouse. The Probate Court staff can pull books and help you find what you need. Some historical records have been scanned but not all are available online yet.

Morgan County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Morgan County. This is a different office from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and traffic violations. Morgan County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit.

You can search Morgan County court records through the state Alacourt system. Visit pa.alacourt.com to run name searches. Each search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

The Circuit Clerk website at morgan.alacourt.gov has local court info. You can find court schedules, fee information, and contact details there. For case copies or certified documents, you may need to visit in person or submit a written request.

Morgan County Recording Fees

Morgan County charges standard fees for recording and copies. These fees apply at the Probate Court recording office. Always check current rates before sending payment since fees can change.

Common fees for Morgan County:

• Recording a deed: $28 for first page, $5 each added page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus $1 certification
• Plat recording: varies by size
• Marriage license: $72

Deed tax in Alabama is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt secured. These state taxes apply on top of recording fees. The Probate Court collects these at the time of recording.

For court records, the Circuit Clerk has a separate fee schedule. Case copies and certified court documents have their own costs. Check with that office for current prices on court-related items.

How to Request Public Records

Morgan County handles public records requests through its various offices. For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. Other county government records go through the specific department that holds them.

Alabama law gives citizens the right to access most public records. Under the 2024 changes to the public records law, county offices must respond within 15 business days for standard requests. Complex requests may take longer but the office must tell you why.

You can make requests in person, by mail, or sometimes by email. Be as specific as you can about what records you need. Include names, dates, and any case or document numbers you have. This helps staff find your records faster.

Some records have restrictions. Court records involving minors are often sealed. Medical and some personnel records are not public. The office will let you know if records you ask for are exempt from disclosure.

Other Morgan County Resources

Beyond the main record offices, Morgan County has other places where you might find useful information. The Tax Assessor maintains property tax records and ownership data. The Revenue Commissioner handles tax collection and can provide payment histories.

For business records, the Probate Court records assumed names (DBAs). The Alabama Secretary of State website has corporate filings and LLC records at the state level. Contractor license info comes from the State Licensing Board.

The Morgan County Sheriff maintains arrest records and inmate information. You can check their website or call for details on recent bookings. Older criminal records go through the Circuit Clerk or state agencies.

Cities in Morgan County

Morgan County has several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Morgan County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Morgan County Circuit Court in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Other communities in Morgan County include Hartselle, Priceville, Falkville, Somerville, Trinity, and Eva. These smaller towns use the same county offices for records.

Nearby Counties

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