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Search Alabama County Records

Alabama has 67 counties with public record databases. Each county runs its own property search system. Revenue Commissioners maintain property tax records. Sheriff's offices keep inmate rosters. Circuit Clerks manage court case files. You search by county to find people in Alabama. This page lists the top 10 most populous counties where the best online databases exist. Each county page shows available people search tools and how to access local records.

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Top 10 Alabama Counties

These counties have the most residents and the best online record systems. Property searches work by owner name. Inmate rosters update daily. Court databases cover civil and criminal cases. Each link goes to a county page with full database details and search instructions.

Jefferson County Population: 674,721 | County Seat: Birmingham Mobile County Population: 414,809 | County Seat: Mobile Madison County Population: 395,116 | County Seat: Huntsville Montgomery County Population: 228,954 | County Seat: Montgomery Baldwin County Population: 223,234 | County Seat: Bay Minette Shelby County Population: 225,000 | County Seat: Columbiana Tuscaloosa County Population: 213,145 | County Seat: Tuscaloosa Lee County Population: 174,241 | County Seat: Opelika Morgan County Population: 123,421 | County Seat: Decatur Calhoun County Population: 116,441 | County Seat: Anniston

How County Records Work

County databases are run by different offices in Alabama. The Revenue Commissioner handles property tax records and assessments. You search by owner name to see all parcels they own. The Circuit Clerk keeps court case files for civil and criminal cases. The Sheriff runs the county jail and posts inmate rosters online. Probate Courts maintain marriage licenses and estate records. Each office has its own search system.

Most county property searches are free. You type in a last name and see results. Some counties require a first name too. The database shows parcel numbers and addresses. You see assessed values and tax amounts owed. GIS mapping systems exist in many Alabama counties. These let you click on a map to see property owner info. County inmate rosters list current jail inmates with names and booking dates.

Statewide vs County Records

Alabama has no statewide property search. You must check each county one by one. The same goes for inmate rosters at the county level. Court records are also county-based. But some databases do cover the whole state. The Alacourt ACCESS portal has court cases from all counties in one system. The Voter Lookup searches the entire state too.

For property owners and tax records, you go to the county site. Each of the top 10 counties has an online portal. Smaller counties may only offer in-person searches. The county pages on this site show which databases are available and how to use them in Alabama.