Pickens County Public Records

Pickens County public records are kept at the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk offices in Carrollton. This rural west Alabama county has about 20,000 residents and limited online access to records.

Pickens County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all property records in Pickens County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. It also issues marriage licenses and keeps vital records. The Probate Judge serves as the chief administrative officer for the county.

You must visit the courthouse in person for most record requests. Pickens County has not set up an online portal for property searches. The staff can help you look up records when you arrive. Bring as much info as you can about the property or person you are searching for. A name, address, or parcel number makes the search go faster.

The courthouse sits on the town square in Carrollton. It was built in 1877 and is still in use today. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. One window on the north side has gained fame over the years. Many claim it shows a face that has been there since 1878. The image cannot be washed off or removed. Some say it is the face of a man who was accused of burning the previous courthouse. Local lore holds that lightning struck while he stood at the window proclaiming his innocence, leaving his likeness in the glass forever.

Search Pickens County Records Online

Pickens County has a limited online presence. The county does not run its own records portal. You cannot search property records online through a county website. This is common in smaller Alabama counties that lack the budget for digital systems.

For court records, use the state Alacourt system. The portal at pa.alacourt.com covers all Pickens County courts. You can search by name or case number. A basic search costs $9.99 and shows one case detail. More cases cost extra. Document images run $5.00 for up to 20 pages.

Some property info may be found through state GIS systems. The Alabama Department of Revenue has parcel data for tax purposes. This is not the same as the full deed records kept at the Probate Court. For complete chain of title or recorded documents, you need to go to Carrollton.

Third-party sites may have some Pickens County data. These include title search companies and commercial record providers. They pull data from various sources but may not be current. Always verify important info at the courthouse.

Pickens County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records for Pickens County. This is a separate office from the Probate Court. Court records include civil suits, criminal cases, divorces, and traffic matters. The Circuit Court shares the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties.

The clerk can pull case files when you visit. You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request with the case number or party names. Include a check for copy fees. The clerk will mail the records to you.

Criminal background checks go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The county cannot process background checks directly. ALEA runs the state criminal history system. You can request your own record or get someone else's with their consent.

Court records are public in most cases. Some files are sealed by court order. Juvenile cases and some family matters have restricted access. The clerk can tell you if a file is available when you ask.

Pickens County Recording Fees

Pickens County charges standard fees for recording and copies. These rates are set by state law with some local variation. Always call ahead to confirm current fees before you send payment.

Typical fees you might pay:

• Standard copy: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Recording a deed or mortgage: $20 to $30 for first page
• Each additional page: $5
• Plat recording: varies by size

Payment is usually by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards may not be accepted. The county does not have online payment for records. You must pay in person or mail a check with your request.

Deed tax applies when property changes hands. Alabama charges $0.50 per $500 of sale price. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of the loan amount. These state taxes are collected at recording.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives the public access to most government records. This includes county records in Pickens County. You can ask for records in person, by mail, or sometimes by email. The office must respond within a reasonable time.

For property records, go to the Probate Court. Staff can look up deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. They can make copies while you wait. For older records, the search may take longer.

For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. Provide the case number if you have it. A name search takes more time. The clerk may ask for a fee to pull files and make copies.

Other county records go through different offices. Tax records come from the Revenue Commissioner. Commission meeting minutes are with the County Administrator. Police records are at the Sheriff's office. Each office handles its own records requests.

Under recent law changes, counties must respond to written requests within 15 business days. Complex requests may take longer with notice. The county can charge for staff time on large requests.

Legal Resources in Pickens County

Finding legal help in rural Alabama can be hard. Pickens County does not have a large legal community. Most attorneys are in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham. These cities are within an hour of Carrollton.

Legal Aid of West Alabama serves low-income residents. They handle civil matters like housing, family law, and benefits. Call to see if you qualify for free help. The intake line screens cases by income and type.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with attorneys in your area. The initial consultation is usually a low fixed fee. After that, you negotiate rates with the lawyer.

For court forms, check the Alabama Courts website. They have self-help forms for common matters. Divorce, small claims, and name changes have standard forms. The Circuit Clerk can also provide local forms when you visit.

Cities in Pickens County

Pickens County contains several small towns and communities. All of them file property records at the Pickens County Probate Court in Carrollton. Court cases go through the Circuit Court, also in Carrollton. None of the cities in Pickens County have populations over 100,000, so they do not have dedicated pages on this site.

Communities in Pickens County include Carrollton (the county seat), Reform, Gordo, Aliceville, and Pickensville. Aliceville is the largest with about 2,200 people. Reform has around 1,700 residents. These towns are served by the county courthouse for all record needs.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pickens County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Tuscaloosa County to the east has more online resources available.