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How to Find Public Records in Houston County in 2026

HoustonCountyRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Houston County, Alabama. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find records spanning court proceedings, property transactions, vital statistics, law enforcement activity, and county government operations. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law exemptions.

Records in Houston County may be accessed through several channels, including official online portals, in-person visits to county offices, written mail requests, and telephone inquiries.

Online Access:

The Houston County government portal provides access to department-specific resources, online payment tools, and links to records maintained by individual county offices.
The Houston County Probate Office offers online real property records access, allowing members of the public to search and view land records at no charge, with a nominal fee of $1.00 per page applied when printing or downloading documents.
The Houston County Revenue Department's property record search tool enables users to look up parcel data, ownership information, and assessment records without registration.
Court records for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit may be searched through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts statewide portal, which provides on-demand access to trial court records.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the relevant county office in person during business hours. The Houston County Probate Office, Revenue Department, and Circuit Court Clerk each maintain separate public counters. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where applicable, the name, date range, or parcel number associated with the record sought. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate record set or public access terminal.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests must 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. Mailing addresses for each principal office are listed in the contact section below.

Phone/Email:

Houston County Probate Office: (334) 677-4700
Houston County Revenue Department: (334) 677-4747
Houston County Circuit Court Clerk: (334) 677-4800
Houston County Sheriff's Office: (334) 671-0411

What Are Public Records in Houston County?

Public records in Houston County are documents and information created or received by government agencies in the course of official business, as defined under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. The following categories of records are maintained by county departments and are subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Houston County Circuit Court Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments maintained by the Houston County Probate Office recording division
Property assessment records — parcel data, ownership history, and appraisal information maintained by the Houston County Revenue Department and accessible through the Alabama Department of Revenue's county appraisal and assessment records directory
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued by the Houston County Health Department
Marriage certificates — recorded by the Probate Office; certified copies are available through the Houston County Probate Office marriage certificate division
Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations maintained by the county and state licensing authorities
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Revenue Department
Voting and election records — maintained by the Houston County Board of Registrars
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission proceedings and board meeting documentation
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Houston County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the county planning and development department

Is Houston County an Open Records County?

Houston County operates in full compliance with Alabama's open records law. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, all public writings of every description are declared to be public property, and every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing in the state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute. The statute states: "Every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by law."

The Alabama Open Records Law does not require a requestor to state a reason for seeking access to public documents, nor does it impose residency requirements. County departments are obligated to make non-exempt records available for inspection during regular business hours. The Houston County government adheres to these obligations across all of its departments, including the Probate Office, Revenue Department, and Sheriff's Office.

Alabama's open records framework does not include a formal administrative appeals process equivalent to those found in some other states; however, requestors who are denied access may seek judicial review in circuit court.

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

The cost of obtaining public records in Houston County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges:

Record Type	Fee
Real property record copies (Probate Office)	$1.00 per page
Certified marriage certificate	Varies; contact Probate Office
Certified birth or death certificate (Health Dept.)	$15.00 per copy
Court record copies (Circuit Court)	$1.00 per page
Property record search (Revenue Dept.)	Free online; copy fees may apply

Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect most records at no charge during regular business hours.
Copy fees: The standard copy fee at the Probate Office for real property documents is $1.00 per page, as noted on the online real property records access portal.
Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records carry additional fees set by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Electronic format fees: Online document retrieval through the Probate Office portal is free to search and view; the per-page fee applies only upon printing or downloading.
Search fees: No separate search fee is imposed for standard public records requests.
Payment methods: Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and credit or debit card, depending on the office. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to visiting.

Fee waivers are not broadly codified under Alabama's open records statute, though individual agencies may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Does Houston County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours, consistent with the requirements of Alabama Code § 36-12-40. Members of the public are not charged a fee to view records in person at the public counter. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record carries no cost, obtaining a physical or electronic copy is subject to the per-page fees described above.

The following free online resources are currently available:

The Houston County Revenue Department property record search allows free online access to parcel and assessment data without registration.
The Probate Office's land records portal permits free searching and viewing of real property instruments; fees apply only when documents are printed or downloaded.
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides searchable access to state trial court records through its online portal.
The Houston County Health Department offers informational resources online, though certified vital record copies carry statutory fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Houston County?

Any person may request public records in Houston County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Alabama's open records law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require a requestor to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request when seeking non-exempt public documents.

Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Requestors are not required by statute to present identification for general public records inspection; however, certain offices may require identification for records involving personal information or certified copies.
Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for access to standard public records under Alabama Code § 36-12-40.
Restricted record types: Access to certain categories of records — including juvenile court records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative materials — is restricted by statute regardless of the requestor's identity.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Alabama retain the same right of access to public records as state residents under current law.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in the case of vital records, demonstrate a qualifying relationship to the subject of the record.

What Records Are Confidential in Houston County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law. Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — proceedings and records involving minors are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records pertaining to active investigations are exempt from disclosure
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Alabama Department of Human Resources regulations
Personnel records — employee records held by government agencies are subject to limited disclosure, with certain information exempt
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt from disclosure to protect public safety

The Houston County Sheriff's Office notes that law enforcement records related to active investigations or that could compromise officer safety are withheld consistent with applicable state exemptions. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review in the appropriate circuit court.

Houston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Houston County Probate Office serves as the primary recording authority for real property instruments, marriage licenses, and related documents.

Houston County Probate Office
462 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4700
Houston County Probate Office – Recording Division

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Closed on designated county holidays

Houston County Revenue Department
462 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4747
Houston County Revenue – Property Record Search

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Closed on designated county holidays

Houston County Circuit Court Clerk – Twentieth Judicial Circuit
114 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 677-4800
Houston County Circuit Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Houston County Sheriff's Office
114 W. Washington Street, Dothan, AL 36301
(334) 671-0411
Houston County Sheriff's Office

Houston County Health Department – Vital Records
1781 E. Cottonwood Road, Dothan, AL 36301
(334) 678-1255
Houston County Health Department – Vital Records

As stated on the Houston County Health Department's official page, "The Houston County Health Department issues certified copies of Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce certificates for events that occurred within the State of Alabama."