Clarke County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Clarke County in 2026

ClarkeRecords.us provides publicly available data and information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Clarke County, Alabama. Members of the public seeking official documents may access records through the county's court system, clerk offices, health department, and state agency portals. The types of records that may be located include court filings, property documents, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement records, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.

Online Access:

The Clarke County First Circuit Court of Alabama provides online information about court proceedings and case records maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office.
The Alabama Department of Revenue maintains an online portal for county appraisal and assessment records, including Clarke County property tax data.
The Alabama Department of Public Health offers online information regarding vital records available through the Clarke County Health Department.
Some records require in-person inspection or a formal written request; not all documents are available in digital format.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clarke County Circuit Clerk's Office to inspect court records. The office is located at the Clarke County Courthouse, 114 Court Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the case number or party name when possible.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant custodial office by mail. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Clarke County Circuit Clerk's Office: (251) 275-3363
Clarke County Health Department: (251) 275-3131

What Are Public Records in Clarke County?

Public records in Clarke County are defined under Alabama law as any written, typed, or printed document prepared, maintained, or received by a public agency in the conduct of official business. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, all public records are the property of the state and are open for inspection by any citizen of Alabama, except as otherwise provided by law.

The following categories of records are maintained by various Clarke County offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records	Clarke County Circuit Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens	Clarke County Judge of Probate
Property tax assessments	Clarke County Revenue Commissioner
Birth and death certificates	Clarke County Health Department
Marriage and divorce records	Clarke County Health Department / Probate Court
Business licenses and permits	Clarke County Commission
Voter registration and election records	Clarke County Board of Registrars
County commission meeting minutes and agendas	Clarke County Commission
Budget and financial documents	Clarke County Commission
Arrest logs and incident reports	Clarke County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Clarke County Planning Department

As noted by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, the Circuit Clerk serves as the court's official record keeper and business manager on all court proceedings held in the jurisdiction, maintaining the official docket and case files for the First Judicial Circuit.

Is Clarke County an Open Records County?

Clarke County operates in full compliance with Alabama's open records statutes, which mandate public access to government documents. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute. This provision applies to all county agencies, boards, and commissions operating within Clarke County.

Alabama's open records law does not require a requestor to state a reason for seeking access to public documents, nor does it impose residency requirements as a condition of access. The law reflects the state's commitment to government transparency and accountability. As the Alabama Attorney General's office has affirmed, "the public policy of this state is that public records shall be open for inspection by any citizen," reinforcing the presumption of openness that governs all custodial agencies in the county.

Clarke County agencies are expected to respond to records requests promptly and to provide access during normal business hours. Agencies that deny access to records are required to cite the specific statutory exemption that justifies the denial.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clarke County?

The cost of obtaining public records in Clarke County varies by record type and the office maintaining the documents. Standard fees applicable to court records, property documents, and vital records are established by state statute and local fee schedules.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Record Type	Typical Fee
Photocopies (standard pages)	$0.25–$1.00 per page
Certified court document copies	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Birth certificate (certified copy)	$15.00 per copy
Death certificate (certified copy)	$15.00 per copy
Marriage certificate (certified copy)	$15.00 per copy
Property deed copies	Varies by page count
Electronic record formats	Varies by office

Fees for vital records are set by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The Clarke County Health Department issues birth and death certificates at the rates established by the state. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, most marriage certificates can be issued while you wait at county health department locations.

Accepted payment methods at most Clarke County offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Inspection of records, without requesting copies, is at present available at no charge at most custodial offices.

Does Clarke County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Clarke County government offices during regular business hours. Alabama law establishes the right of any citizen to inspect public writings without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Clarke County Circuit Court portal provides online access to general court information and case lookup tools at no cost.
The Alabama Department of Revenue's county appraisal and assessment records portal allows members of the public to search property assessment data for Clarke County without charge.
The Clarke County Health Department permits in-person inspection of certain vital records indexes at no cost, though certified copies carry the standard fee.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Clarke County office provides information on submitting public records requests to the agency at no initial cost.

Members of the public should note that free inspection and free copies are distinct entitlements. The right to inspect a record at a government office does not obligate the custodial agency to provide a free copy of that record.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clarke County?

Any citizen of Alabama may request access to public records maintained by Clarke County agencies. Under current Alabama law, requestors are not required to be residents of Clarke County specifically, nor are they required to state the purpose of their request for most categories of public documents.

The following conditions apply to records requests in Clarke County:

Identification: Requestors may be asked to present identification when requesting certain sensitive records, such as vital records, where eligibility restrictions apply.
Residency: Alabama's open records statute does not restrict access based on county of residence; any Alabama citizen may submit a request.
Purpose: Custodial agencies may not require a requestor to state the reason for seeking access to general public records.
Vital records: Access to birth, death, and marriage certificates is restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, and other parties with a demonstrated legal interest, as established by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Court records: Members of the public may inspect most court filings; however, sealed records, juvenile records, and certain family court documents are restricted by court order or statute.
Own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity.

Non-residents of Alabama who seek access to Clarke County public records may do so through written or mail requests directed to the appropriate custodial office, subject to the same fee schedule applicable to in-person requests.

What Records Are Confidential in Clarke County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Clarke County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law. Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and related statutes identify specific exemptions that custodial agencies are required to apply when responding to public records requests.

Records that are currently exempt from public disclosure include:

Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Alabama law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly disclosed documents.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee records held by county agencies are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for salary and position information.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Documents describing security measures for public facilities are exempt from disclosure.

When a custodial agency denies a records request, it is required to identify the specific statutory exemption that applies. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the Alabama Attorney General's office or pursue relief in the appropriate circuit court.

Clarke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Records in Clarke County are maintained by several distinct offices, each responsible for a specific category of documents. The principal offices are listed below.

Clarke County Circuit Clerk's Office
114 Court Street
Grove Hill, AL 36451
(251) 275-3363
Clarke County First Circuit Court of Alabama

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Clarke County Judge of Probate
114 Court Street
Grove Hill, AL 36451
(251) 275-3251

Clarke County Revenue Commissioner (Property Tax & Assessments)
114 Court Street
Grove Hill, AL 36451
(251) 275-3376
County Offices/Appraisal and Assessment Records

Clarke County Health Department (Vital Records)
1400 South Jackson Street
Grove Hill, AL 36451
(251) 275-3131
Clarke County vital records services