DeKalb County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in DeKalb County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government documents, court filings, property data, and vital statistics in DeKalb County, Alabama may access a range of records through official county and state agencies. DeKalbCountyRecords.org aggregates publicly available data to assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. The types of records that may be found through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and budgets
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides on-demand access to Alabama state trial court records through its statewide portal. Members of the public may search civil and criminal case information without registration for basic lookups. The DeKalb County Circuit Court maintains case records for the Ninth Judicial Circuit and offers online access to docket information. Property appraisal and assessment data are accessible through the Alabama Department of Revenue's county records directory.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk's Office to inspect court records at the public counter. The office is located at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if the record is not immediately available at the counter.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the Circuit Clerk's Office at 300 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967. Each request must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and the applicable time period. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
The DeKalb County Circuit Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (256) 845-8525. Requestors are advised to confirm availability of specific records prior to an in-person visit.
What Are Public Records in DeKalb County?
Public records in DeKalb County are defined under Alabama Code § 36-12-40 as all written, typed, or printed books, papers, letters, documents, and maps made or received in pursuance of law by any public officer of the state in the transaction of public business. The following record types are currently maintained by designated county and state offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | DeKalb County Circuit Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | DeKalb County Probate Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | DeKalb County Probate Judge |
| Property tax assessments | DeKalb County Revenue Commissioner |
| Birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates | Alabama Department of Public Health |
| Business licenses and permits | DeKalb County Probate Court / Municipalities |
| Voting and election records | DeKalb County Board of Registrars |
| Commission meeting minutes | DeKalb County Commission |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | DeKalb County Sheriff's Office |
| Driver license records | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency |
Vital records for DeKalb County residents are administered through the DeKalb County Health Department's vital records office. Statewide vital records are coordinated by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, which notes that "customers can obtain most vital records from the Center for Health Statistics through their county health department."
Is DeKalb County an Open Records County?
DeKalb County operates in full compliance with Alabama's open records law. 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. Alabama does not have a separate Freedom of Information Act; the open records framework is established entirely within Title 36, Chapter 12 of the Alabama Code. The statute affirms that public records are presumptively open and that any denial of access must be grounded in a specific statutory exemption.
The Alabama Attorney General's Office has issued guidance affirming that government bodies must make records available during regular business hours and may not impose unreasonable conditions on inspection. DeKalb County agencies are bound by these provisions and do not maintain any county-specific ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in DeKalb County?
The current fee structure for public records in DeKalb County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Standard fees applicable at the Circuit Clerk's Office and Probate Court are as follows:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office
- Certified copies of court documents: $1.00 to $5.00 per document
- Certified vital records (birth/death certificates): $15.00 per certified copy through the Alabama Department of Public Health
- Marriage certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
- Property deed copies: Fees set by the Probate Judge's Office; standard copy fees apply
- Electronic records: Fees may vary; some online portals charge per-search or per-document fees
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the respective office. Credit and debit card acceptance varies by department. Under Alabama law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of producing copies but may not impose fees for the inspection of records alone. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly codified in Alabama's open records statute, though individual agencies may exercise discretion in cases involving indigent requestors or matters of significant public interest.
Does DeKalb County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices maintaining those records, consistent with Alabama's open records framework. No fee is charged solely for the act of reviewing a record in person at a public counter. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts offers free basic case lookups for trial court records statewide through its online portal.
- The DeKalb County Circuit Court provides public access terminals at the courthouse for in-person review of case dockets at no charge.
- The Alabama Department of Revenue's appraisal and assessment records directory allows free online access to property assessment data by county.
- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's DeKalb County office provides public records request information at no initial cost for inspection.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may inspect most records without charge, obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees as described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in DeKalb County?
Any person may request public records in DeKalb County. Alabama's open records statute does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to disclose their purpose for seeking records. Members of the public are not required to provide identification to inspect records, though identification may be required when requesting certified copies of vital records or when accessing records that contain restricted personal information.
Specific record types carry additional eligibility requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Certified copies are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest, as administered through the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.
- Driver license and motor vehicle records: Access is governed by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721), which limits disclosure to authorized purposes.
- Criminal history records: Full background check reports are restricted; however, court case records reflecting charges and dispositions are publicly accessible through the Circuit Clerk.
Non-residents of Alabama retain the same rights as residents to inspect and copy public records under state law. Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to expedited processing in certain circumstances.
What Records Are Confidential in DeKalb County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law and applicable federal statutes. The following records are currently withheld from public access:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for active investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would impede the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical and health records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public agencies are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions for salary and position information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security and infrastructure plans: Records relating to the security of public facilities are withheld in the interest of public safety.
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and related provisions establish the framework for these exemptions. Agencies denying access to records are required to cite the specific statutory basis for the denial.
DeKalb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The recording function in DeKalb County is performed by the Probate Judge's Office, which maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and related land records. Court records are maintained separately by the Circuit Clerk's Office.
DeKalb County Probate Court
300 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-8510
DeKalb County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
DeKalb County Circuit Clerk's Office
300 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-8525
DeKalb County Circuit Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
DeKalb County Health Department – Vital Records
2507 Glenn Boulevard SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968
(256) 845-1931
DeKalb County vital records office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – DeKalb County Driver License Office
2507 Glenn Boulevard SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968
(256) 845-1931
DeKalb County ALEA office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
As the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts states, its mission is to provide visitors with "on-demand access to Alabama State Trial Court Records," making the statewide court portal a primary resource for case-level information across all 67 Alabama counties.
Lookup Public Records in DeKalb County
- DeKalb County Circuit Court records – Ninth Judicial Circuit
- DeKalb County vital records – Alabama Department of Public Health
- Alabama trial court records search – Administrative Office of Courts
- DeKalb County driver license and public records – Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- DeKalb County property appraisal and assessment records – Alabama Department of Revenue
- Alabama statewide vital records – Center for Health Statistics