madison county alabama public records guide and comparison

What counts as a public record

The term covers a broad range of materials created or kept by local agencies. In Madison County, that typically includes court dockets and filings, probate matters, property assessments and deeds, certain law enforcement reports, and business or professional registrations. While many files are open by default, some details can be redacted for privacy or security.

Where to start your search

The Circuit Clerk manages court records, the Probate Court handles estate, marriage, and land recordings, and the Tax Assessor provides parcel data and valuations. For incidents, the Sheriff’s Office may release report summaries. State-level portals complement county sources for elections and licensing lookups.

Popular options compared

If you’re deciding between offices or services, weigh scope, cost, and turnaround time. Below is a quick, plain-language comparison to help you pick the best first stop.

• Circuit Clerk: Best for civil/criminal dockets; broad scope; fees for copies; in-person and online indexes vary.
• Probate Court: Ideal for deeds, estates, and marriages; authoritative originals; certified copies available.
• Tax Assessor: Fast parcel searches; ownership, valuations, and maps; typically free lookups.
• Sheriff’s Office: Incident/offense summaries; some limits on active cases; request-based.
• State portals: Useful for voter and licensing checks; statewide reach; may require small fees.