Autauga County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Autauga County?

Public records in Autauga 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 public officers of the state in the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record categories maintained by various county offices.

The following record types are currently available through Autauga County's governmental offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Autauga County Circuit Court and the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, which provides on-demand access to Alabama state trial court records statewide.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Autauga County Judge of Probate and the Revenue Commissioner's office. The Alabama Department of Revenue provides access to county appraisal and assessment records for Autauga County.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the Autauga County Health Department, operating under the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Autauga County Probate Office and the Autauga County Commission.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Autauga County Revenue Commissioner.
Voting and election records — Voter registration rolls and election results are maintained by the Autauga County Board of Registrars and the Probate Judge's office.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, board agendas, and related documents are maintained by the Autauga County Commission office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are available through the Autauga County Commission.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Autauga County Sheriff's Office and the Prattville Police Department.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Autauga County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Autauga County an Open Records County?

Autauga County fully adheres to Alabama's open records framework, which establishes the public's right of 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 offices, boards, and agencies operating within Autauga County.

Alabama's open records law does not require a requester to state a reason for seeking access, nor does it limit access to residents of the state. The law further provides that custodians of public records must respond to requests within a reasonable time. Autauga County offices are additionally subject to Alabama's Open Meetings Act, codified at Alabama Code § 36-25A-1, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available. No county-specific ordinance currently supersedes or restricts the rights established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Autauga County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Autauga County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Autauga County Courthouse, 134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067.
Identify the custodial office for the specific record type (e.g., Probate Office for deeds, Revenue Commissioner for tax records, Circuit Clerk for court filings).
Submit a written or verbal request to the records custodian and provide sufficient identifying information to locate the record.

Online Access:

Civil and criminal court records may be searched through the Autauga County 19th Judicial Circuit Court portal.
Statewide trial court records are accessible through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts' on-demand platform at alacourt.gov.
Property assessment records may be reviewed through the Alabama Department of Revenue's county records directory.
Municipal court records for the City of Prattville are accessible through the Prattville Municipal Court page.

By Mail:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant custodial office. Requests should include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred method of delivery.

Vital Records:

Certified copies of birth and death certificates are obtained through the Alabama Department of Public Health. Requests may be submitted in person at the Autauga County Health Department or by mail to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery.

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

Current fees for public records in Autauga County vary by record type and the office maintaining the records. Standard copy fees and certified document charges are governed in part by Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which authorizes custodians to charge reasonable fees for copies.

Standard paper copies: Typically $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the custodial office.
Certified copies of court documents: Generally $1.00 to $5.00 per document, as set by the Circuit Clerk's office.
Certified vital records (birth/death certificates): The Alabama Department of Public Health charges a standard fee of $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
Property records and deeds: Recording and copy fees are set by the Probate Judge's office; certified copies of recorded instruments typically range from $1.00 to $5.00 per page.
Court record searches: The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts may assess fees for electronic record retrieval through its on-demand platform.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant county office. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Autauga County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Autauga County, consistent with Alabama's open records law, which guarantees the right to inspect public writings without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office at no cost during regular business hours.
Online court records: Basic case information for Autauga County circuit and district court cases is accessible at no charge through the 19th Judicial Circuit Court portal.
Property assessment data: General property and assessment information is available at no cost through the Alabama Department of Revenue's county appraisal and assessment records directory.
Municipal court information: Case information and fine schedules are available without charge through the Prattville Municipal Court website.
Health department records: General public health data and service information are available through the Autauga County Health Department at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Autauga County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request public records in Autauga County under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. The law does not restrict access to Alabama residents, nor does it require requesters to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Alabama retain the same right of access as state residents.
Identification: Custodial offices may request identification for administrative purposes, but providing identification is generally not a legal prerequisite for access to non-restricted records.
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for most public record requests. Exceptions may apply for certain sensitive record categories.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves (e.g., personal court filings, vital records) follow the same general process but may be required to provide proof of identity for certified copies.
Requesting records about others: Access to records concerning other individuals is subject to applicable exemptions, particularly for records containing personal identifying information, medical data, or records protected under state or federal law.
Attorneys and legal representatives: Attorneys of record and authorized legal representatives may access certain restricted records upon presentation of appropriate credentials.

What Records Are Confidential in Autauga County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law. Alabama Code § 36-12-40 provides that the right of inspection does not extend to records expressly exempted by statute. The following record types are currently withheld from general public access:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents.
Medical records: Health and medical records are protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Alabama law.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
Personnel records: Government employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain employment-related 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 infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, custodians are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under Alabama's open records framework.

Autauga County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Autauga County Judge of Probate serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property. The Revenue Commissioner's office maintains property tax and assessment records.

Autauga County Judge of Probate 134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 361-3701 Autauga County Probate Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Autauga County Revenue Commissioner 135 N. Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 361-3730 County Offices/Appraisal and Assessment Records Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Autauga County Health Department 219 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 365-2480 Autauga County Health Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Prattville Municipal Court 101 West Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 595-0500 Prattville Municipal Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts 300 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 954-5000 Alabama Administrative Office of Courts