St. Clair County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in St. Clair County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official materials may access a broad range of publicly available information through StClairCountyRecords.us as well as through the official offices and portals described below. St. Clair County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Record categories that may be accessible include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and planning documents

Records may 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 case information, view docket entries, and access certain court documents without visiting a courthouse in person. The St. Clair County Circuit Court also maintains a dedicated web presence for the 30th Judicial Circuit, where users may find case lookup tools and clerk contact information. Property assessment and appraisal data are accessible through the Alabama Department of Revenue's county appraisal and assessment records directory, which lists the Revenue Commissioner's contact information for each county.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the St. Clair County Courthouse. The Circuit Clerk's Office, located at 1815 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City, AL 35125, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant custodial office. A written request should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, the approximate date range, and any known case or parcel numbers. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, custodians are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (205) 338-9449. Contact information for additional departments is available through the respective agency websites listed throughout this page.

What Are Public Records in St. Clair County?

Public records in St. Clair County are defined under Alabama law as any written, typed, or printed paper, map, photograph, or other documentary material made or received by a public officer or employee in connection with official duties. 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. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Probate and estate records	Probate Judge's Office
Property deeds and mortgages	Probate Judge's Office
Property tax assessments	Revenue Commissioner's Office
Vital records (birth, death)	St. Clair County Health Department
Marriage and divorce records	Probate Judge's Office / Circuit Clerk
Business licenses and permits	Probate Judge's Office
Voting and election records	Board of Registrars
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Commission
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Department

The 30th Judicial Circuit Court of St. Clair County maintains civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile court records. The Alabama Department of Public Health, through its county office in Pell City, serves as the custodian for vital records including birth and death certificates.

Is St. Clair County an Open Records County?

St. Clair County operates in full compliance with Alabama's open records law, which mandates 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. As the Alabama Attorney General's office has noted, "the public policy of this state is that all public records shall be open for public inspection." This principle applies to all county offices, boards, and commissions operating within St. Clair County.

Alabama's open records framework does not require requestors to state a reason for their request, nor does it limit access to residents of the state. The law applies to records in any format, including paper documents, electronic files, photographs, and maps. County offices are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and to provide copies upon request, subject to applicable fees. The Alabama Legislature has not enacted a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs uniformly across all 67 counties.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Clair County?

The cost to obtain public records in St. Clair County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Standard fees currently in effect are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Standard copy (per page)	$0.25–$1.00
Certified copy of court record	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Certified copy of vital record (birth/death)	$15.00 (ADPH standard)
Certified copy of marriage record	$3.00–$5.00
Property deed copy	$1.00 per page
Electronic record (where available)	Varies by office

Inspection of records at a public counter does not carry a fee in most offices. Certification fees are charged when an official seal or attestation is required. Payment is accepted in the form of cash, money order, or personal check made payable to the relevant office; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Under Alabama law, fees for copies are set by the custodial agency and may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly codified under state statute, though individual offices may exercise discretion in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or requests made in the public interest.

Does St. Clair County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at the offices that maintain them. Members of the public may visit the Circuit Clerk's Office, the Probate Judge's Office, or the Revenue Commissioner's Office during regular business hours to inspect records at no charge. The right to inspect without cost is grounded in Alabama's open records statute, which distinguishes between the right to inspect and the right to receive copies.

Several online resources provide free access to certain record categories:

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts offers free case lookup tools for trial court records statewide.
The Alabama Department of Revenue's appraisal and assessment records directory provides free access to property assessment contact information and, in many counties, online parcel search tools.
The St. Clair County Circuit Court website provides free access to docket information and case status for matters filed in the 30th Judicial Circuit.

Copies of records, whether paper or electronic, are subject to the fee schedule described above. Free inspection does not entitle a requestor to receive copies at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in St. Clair County?

Any person may request public records in St. Clair County. Alabama's open records law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most record types. Non-residents of Alabama retain the same right of access as residents under the plain language of the statute.

Certain record categories carry additional access requirements. Requests for certified copies of vital records—such as birth and death certificates maintained by the St. Clair County Health Department—are subject to the Alabama Vital Statistics Act, which limits certified copies to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Driver record information maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's St. Clair County driver license office is governed by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act, which restricts disclosure to authorized purposes. Individuals requesting their own records are entitled to access under the same framework as any other requestor, with the additional right to seek correction of inaccurate information in certain record types.

What Records Are Confidential in St. Clair County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Alabama law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general right of inspection. The following records are currently withheld from public access under state and federal law:

Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are sealed by operation of law.
Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and the Alabama Vital Statistics Act are confidential.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Alabama law.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Department of Human Resources regarding child abuse or neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure except for information relating to compensation and job title.
Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is redacted from publicly disclosed records.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted in connection with licensing or permitting applications, such information is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety are withheld.

Records pertaining to individuals incarcerated at the St. Clair Correctional Facility, operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections, are subject to the department's records access policies, which distinguish between publicly available inmate information and confidential institutional security records. As the Alabama Department of Corrections states, "the department provides public access to inmate information consistent with state law and institutional security requirements."

St. Clair County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

St. Clair County Probate Judge's Office 165 5th Avenue North, Ashville, AL 35953 (205) 594-2120 St. Clair County Probate Court

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office (Pell City Division) 1815 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 338-9449 30th Judicial Circuit Court of St. Clair County

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

St. Clair County Revenue Commissioner's Office 165 5th Avenue North, Suite 200, Ashville, AL 35953 (205) 594-2160 Alabama Department of Revenue – County Appraisal and Assessment Records

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

St. Clair County Health Department 98 Stemley Bridge Road, Talladega, AL 35160 (Pell City satellite office also available) (256) 362-2593 St. Clair County Health Department – Alabama Department of Public Health

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – St. Clair County Driver License Office 40750 US-78, Pell City, AL 35125 (256) 338-3967 St. Clair County driver license services

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Testing must be completed prior to 4:00 PM)