Shelby County Public Records

Shelby County public records are kept at the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Columbiana. With about 225,000 residents, Shelby County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama and uses the Ingenuity system for online records access.

Shelby County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Shelby County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also handles estate matters, adoptions, and mental health commitments. All real property transactions in Shelby County must be recorded here to be official.

The courthouse sits in downtown Columbiana on Main Street. It serves all of Shelby County, from the fast growing cities near Birmingham down to the rural areas in the south. Staff can help you find records and make copies. They also answer questions about the recording process if you need to file something new.

Search Shelby County Records Online

Shelby County uses the Ingenuity system for online records access. This portal lets you search property records without leaving home. You can look up deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. The system shows index information for free. You pay a fee to view actual document images.

The online portal has these records:

• Real property deeds and conveyances
• Mortgages and releases
• Liens and judgments
• Plat maps and surveys
• Marriage licenses

To use the system, you need to create an account first. Registration is free and takes a few minutes. Once logged in, you can search by name, book and page, or instrument number. The county has worked hard to digitize older records. Many records from past decades are now available online.

For documents not available online, visit the Probate Court in person. Staff can pull old books and help you find what you need. You can also call ahead to make sure a record exists before you drive to Columbiana.

Shelby County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Shelby County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and traffic violations. Shelby County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers only Shelby County.

You can search Shelby County court records through the state Alacourt system. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start a search. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. More cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for up to 20 pages.

The Shelby County Circuit Clerk website at shelby.alacourt.gov has local information. You can find court schedules, filing instructions, and contact details. For in person visits, the Circuit Clerk office is in the same courthouse complex as the Probate Court in Columbiana.

Criminal records from Shelby County show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. Some records may be sealed or expunged under Alabama law. Juvenile records have extra privacy protections. If you need certified copies of court records for legal purposes, the Circuit Clerk can provide them for a fee.

Shelby County Recording Fees

Shelby County sets its own fee schedule for recording and copies. These fees cover the cost of maintaining records and the recording system. Fees can change, so check with the Probate Court for current rates before you send payment.

Common fees for Shelby County:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Recording standard document: base fee plus per page charges
• Plat recording and copies: varies by size
• Online image viewing: per page fee

Recording fees include both state and county portions. Alabama charges a deed tax of $0.50 per $500 of property value transferred. There is also a mortgage tax of $0.15 per $100 of debt secured. These taxes are in addition to the base recording fees. The Probate Court collects all fees at the time of recording.

How to Request Public Records

Shelby County handles public records requests through the county administration. For general county government records, contact the department that holds them. Most requests can be made in writing or in person. The county must respond within 15 business days under the 2024 law changes.

For property records, go straight to the Probate Court. They have their own search systems and fee schedules. For court records, use Alacourt or visit the Circuit Clerk. These offices operate separately from the general public records process.

When you make a request, be as specific as you can. Give names, dates, and property addresses if you have them. This helps staff find records faster. Vague requests may take longer to fulfill or cost more if staff must search through many files.

Some records have access limits. Sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption files are not public. Mental health records also have privacy protections. If you are not sure if a record is public, ask the office that holds it.

Shelby County Property Records

Property records show who owns land and buildings in Shelby County. The Probate Court records deeds when property changes hands. A deed must be recorded to give public notice of ownership. Without recording, a buyer risks losing the property to another claim.

The chain of title shows all past owners of a property. Title companies search this chain before closings. You can do your own search using the Ingenuity system online. Enter a property address or owner name to find recorded documents.

Mortgages are also recorded at the Probate Court. When you take out a home loan, the lender files a mortgage to secure the debt. When you pay off the loan, they file a release. You can see this in the records too. Liens from contractors, judgments, or taxes show up the same way.

For property tax records, contact the Shelby County Revenue Commissioner. They assess property values and collect taxes. Tax records are separate from the documents at the Probate Court. But tax liens end up recorded there if someone falls behind on payments.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County has more than 15 cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Shelby County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Shelby County Circuit Court in Columbiana.

Hoover spans both Shelby and Jefferson counties. Other cities in Shelby County include Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Montevallo, Chelsea, Calera, and Columbiana. These cities do not have separate pages but use the same Shelby County offices for records.

Nearby Counties

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