Public Records in Madison County, Alabama

Access To Public Records

Madison county is the third most populous county in the State of Alabama with a population of 388,153. It is located in the North central area of the State and the county seat is Mobile. The Madison County public records are regulated by the provisions of the Alabama Public Records Law which describes public records as all kinds of documents whether written, typed, or printed. Furthermore, it goes beyond that to include all papers, maps, letters, and other documents including court documents held with a public officer regardless of their status and as long as such document is kept in the course of the conduct of their official duties, and is required by provision of the law. It also makes provisions for access to these documents by members of the general public.

The definition of Public records gives the impression that all government records are accessible by all requesters. This statement is true to the extent that the provision of the law on this issue is a general rule, there are exceptions and these exceptions apply in instances where some of these records are private records, are records that may endanger national security amongst others. Some notable exemptions include:

  • Banking records
  • Juvenile court records
  • Hospital and medical records
  • Records of the identity of medicaid patients
  • Records of tax payers
  • Financial statements
  • Records of public schools
  • Records of universities
  • Records of Colleges
  • Library records
  • Records containing security information

Requesters are to note that there is no express general provision requiring the government agency to respond to a request within a particular time. Also, where a record is denied, there is no administrative appeal process available other than for the requester to go through the civil court process. This approach can be tiring and thus is most often not utilized. Ultimately, Public records in the state of Alabama are not so easy to obtain. 

Obtaining Public Records in Madison County

As has been earlier stated, where there is no exception, all citizens of Alabama may request for public records in the state. However, due to the fact that there is no general custodian of all public records, obtaining public records in Madison county AL, is largely subject to the directions given by each of the agencies handling these records. This article will explain the process for obtaining criminal records, court records, and vital records. 

Obtaining Criminal Records

The Criminal record of a person includes the details of the individual’s criminal activity, it details the events from the arrest of the suspect, the trail up till the conviction of the person. Some particulars of this record may be obtained from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, they make incident reports available to requesters when they contact the Criminal Investigations Division of the Department to make their request. The Office is located at 

715 Wheeler Avenue

Huntsville, Al. 35801

The fee for this record is divided into $2 and the office is open between the hours of 12:00 noon and 4:00p.m on Mondays and between the hours of 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m from Tuesdays to Fridays. For a more comprehensive report, requesters may visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Web Page which maintains the Alabama Criminal Background Check portal, however to use this resources, the requester will be required to register on the site for an annual subscription fee of $95 dollars, however each search application requires a fee of $15. This tool would be beneficial to employers looking to ascertain the background history of their current and prospective staff.

Requesters may also obtain information on sex offenders living in Madison county by visiting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex offender registry page maintained by the ALEA. They may conduct their search by providing the address, the city, the Zip code and the name of the offender, they may also search for the status of the offender whether compliant or non-compliant. In situations where requesters are intent on being updated concerning the movement of Sex offenders in and out of their vicinity, they may sign up to get email updates on their requests. 

Obtaining Madison County Court Records

The most important trial court in Madison county Alabama is the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court which includes the District court, the Probate Courts and the Circuit Courts. Madison county also houses Municipal courts which are the courts with jurisdiction over cities The 23rd Judicial Circuit Court is located at:

Madison County Courthouse

100 North Side Sq

Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone: (256) 532-3380

Fax: (256) 532-3768

The Records of Madison County Circuit and district courts are available to requesters, all that is required is that they download and complete the request form along with the required fee of $25 for records that are archived, $10 for computerized record and a fee of $20 for paper records. These documents may be submitted in person or via mail with the document containing any contact information for the requester as well as the case number where available. The mailing address is listed as

Circuit Clerk,

Records Request,

Madison County Courthouse

100 North Side Square,

Huntsville, AL 35801

To obtain Madison county probate court records, requesters may utilize the online resources provided at the courthouse: the Court’s index search and requesters may conduct their search by providing the name or case number of the particular matter they’re searching for.

To obtain Madison county municipal court records, Requesters may choose to visit the courthouse where the particular was heard. Below is a list of the addresses of all the Municipal courthouses in Madison county.

Triana Municipal Court

640 6th St, Madison, AL 35756

Phone: (256) 772-0151

Fax: (256) 464-5099

Owens Cross Roads Municipal Court

2965 Hwy 431 St, P.O. Box 158

Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

Phone: (256) 725-4163

New Hope Municipal Court

5496 Main Dr, P.O. Box 419

New Hope, AL 35760

Phone: (256) 723-2616

Madison Municipal Court

Madison Municipal Complex

100 Hughes Rd

Madison, AL 35758

Phone: (256) 772-5617

Fax: (256) 464-9596

Huntsville Municipal Court

815 Wheeler Ave, P.O. Box 2829

Huntsville, AL 35804

Phone: (256) 427-7800

Fax: (256) 427-7829

Gurley Municipal Court

235 Walker St, P.O. Box 128

Gurley, AL 35748

Phone: (256) 776-3313

Obtaining Vital Records 

Vital records consist of the records that detail certain important occasions in a person’s life, they are documented by the authorities to bear records of such events. These events include the birth, death, marriage and divorce of residents and citizens of Madison county AL.

To obtain a divorce case record, requesters may visit the office of the Clerk of the court where the divorce was decreed. They may make their request using the mail option or the in-person request option.

Circuit Clerk

Records Search

Family Court Division

100 North Side Square

Huntsville, AL 35801

Madison county birth, death, marriage and divorce records may also be obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health. Requesters may access these records by downloading, filling, and completing the   application form which is equally provided for in Spanish for those who can’t speak English. The form may be submitted alongside the required fee which includes $15 for the first certificate and $6 for subsequent certificates ordered simultaneously. The fees may be paid with a check or money order made out to the State Board of Health. The form, fees and all other accompanying documents may be submitted physically to:

Madison County Health Department

301 Max Luther Drive NW

Huntsville, Alabama 35811

The documents may also be mailed to 

Madison County Health Department

PO Box 17708

Huntsville, Alabama 35810

Phone: (256) 539-3711

Fax: (256) 536-2084