Wilcox County Public Records

Wilcox County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Camden. This rural county in south-central Alabama has about 10,000 residents and uses the statewide Alacourt system for online court record searches.

Wilcox County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Wilcox County. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Marriage licenses are also issued here. The Probate Judge serves as the chief county official and manages elections as well.

Wilcox County is a small rural county, so the Probate Court staff handles most record requests in person or by mail. You can call ahead to check on document availability. The office keeps land records going back many decades, though older records may take longer to locate. Staff can help you search by name, legal description, or book and page number if you have that info from a previous search.

The Probate Court also handles estate matters. Wills, probate cases, and guardianship files are kept here. These records are separate from the land records but are available for public review during office hours. Estate files can include inventories, accountings, and court orders that give insight into property transfers.

Search Wilcox County Records Online

Wilcox County has limited online records access compared to larger Alabama counties. The Probate Court does not have its own online search portal for property records. Most searches require a visit to the courthouse or a phone call to staff.

For court records, you can use the statewide Alacourt system. This covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases in Wilcox County. The Ingenuity system powers the backend, though the public uses AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com to run searches. A name search costs $9.99 and gives you one case detail. More cases cost extra.

Some third-party sites index Alabama land records and may have Wilcox County data. These vary in coverage and accuracy. The Alabama Center for Real Estate also maintains some statewide property info, though its not a full records database. For the most complete and current records, contacting the Probate Court directly is still the best approach in Wilcox County.

If you need certified copies, plan to request them by mail or in person. The Probate Court can mail copies if you send a written request with payment. Include all the details you have about the document so staff can find it faster.

Wilcox County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Wilcox County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, and small claims. Wilcox County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit along with Dallas County.

You can search Wilcox County court records through the Alacourt system. Go to pa.alacourt.com to start. The system shows case information, party names, and hearing dates. Document images cost extra to view. The Circuit Clerk website at wilcox.alacourt.gov has local contact info and some resources.

Criminal background checks often start with a court records search. In Alabama, the state bureau runs official background checks, but court records give you case-level detail. You can see charges, dispositions, and sentencing info through Alacourt. Keep in mind that Alacourt only shows state court cases. Federal cases in Wilcox County would go through the Southern District of Alabama in Mobile.

For older cases not in the digital system, you may need to visit the courthouse. The Circuit Clerk keeps paper files going back many years. Staff can pull files for you to review during business hours. Copy fees apply for any pages you need.

Wilcox County Recording Fees

Wilcox County follows the state fee schedule for most recording and copy costs. Fees can vary slightly, so confirm current rates before sending payment. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders.

Common fees in Wilcox County include:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Deed recording: Base fee plus per-page charge
• Mortgage recording: Base fee plus per-page charge
• Plat copies: Varies by size

Alabama charges deed tax at $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These state taxes apply on top of local recording fees. The Probate Court collects them at the time of recording.

Court record fees through Alacourt are set by the state. A name search costs $9.99. Each case detail is $9.99. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages. These fees go to the Administrative Office of Courts.

How to Request Public Records

Wilcox County government records are available under Alabama's public records laws. Most county offices will process records requests, though procedures vary. For property and probate records, go to the Probate Court. For court records, go to the Circuit Clerk.

To request records by mail, send a written request to the relevant office. Include your name, contact info, and a clear description of what you need. Be as specific as possible. Vague requests take longer to process. Include payment for expected copy costs or ask for a fee estimate first.

In-person requests are often faster for simple searches. Staff can help you locate records and make copies while you wait. Bring ID and be ready to pay copy fees. Complex searches may take more time, especially if records are stored offsite or in older filing systems.

Alabama law requires responses within a reasonable time. The 2024 updates to the Alabama Open Records Act set more specific timelines for standard requests. If a request is denied, the agency must explain why in writing. You can appeal denials through the Attorney General's office or the courts.

Vital Records in Wilcox County

Birth and death records in Alabama are handled by the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics keeps these records. You can order certificates online at alabamapublichealth.gov or by mail.

Marriage records work differently. The Probate Court issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage certificates on file. Wilcox County marriages from recent decades are at the Probate Court in Camden. Older records may also be there, depending on how far back the county's archives go.

Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk. Divorce decrees and related court filings are part of the civil court records. You can search for divorce cases through Alacourt or request copies from the Circuit Clerk directly. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Cities in Wilcox County

Wilcox County has several small towns and communities. Camden is the county seat and largest town. All property records for these areas file at the Wilcox County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Wilcox County Circuit Court.

Towns in Wilcox County include Camden, Pine Hill, Pine Apple, Yellow Bluff, Alberta, and Annemanie. None of these communities have populations over 100,000, so all records requests go through the county offices described above. The entire county has about 10,000 residents spread across a large rural area.

Nearby Counties

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