Etowah County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Etowah County?
Public records in Etowah County are defined under the Alabama Public Records Law § 36-12-40, which states that "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." These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county offices and departments.
Etowah County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) maintained by the Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments) maintained by the Etowah County Probate Office
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) maintained by the Etowah County Health Department and Probate Office
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names) maintained by the Probate Office and Revenue Commissioner
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records) maintained by the Etowah County Revenue Commissioner
- Voting and election records maintained by the Etowah County Board of Registrars
- Meeting minutes and agendas from the Etowah County Commission and various boards
- Budget and financial documents maintained by the County Commission
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed by law) maintained by the Etowah County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records maintained by the Etowah County Engineering Department
The Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office serves as the custodian for all court records in the county. Members of the public may access many of these records through the public access terminal located in the Circuit Clerk's Office or through online portals maintained by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.
Is Etowah County an Open Records County?
Etowah County adheres to the Alabama Public Records Law, specifically Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, which establishes the public's right to access government records. The statute explicitly states that "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."
The county follows this state mandate and provides access to public records maintained by various county departments and offices. Additionally, Etowah County complies with Alabama's Open Meetings Act, Code of Alabama § 36-25A-1, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public.
The Alabama Supreme Court has interpreted the Public Records Law broadly, stating in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co. that the statute "is remedial and should therefore be liberally construed in favor of public disclosure." This interpretation guides Etowah County's approach to records access.
County officials are required to provide reasonable access to public records during regular business hours, though specific procedures may vary by department. The county maintains a balance between public access and the protection of confidential information as defined by state law.
How to Find Public Records in Etowah County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Etowah County may follow these procedures to obtain various types of public information:
For Court Records:
- Visit the Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office in person to access the public computer terminal
- Submit a written request using the official records request form available at the clerk's office
- Access online court records through Alacourt.gov, the state's official court records portal (requires registration and fees)
- Request certified copies of court documents by submitting the appropriate form and fees
For Property Records:
- Visit the Etowah County Probate Office in person to search property records
- Submit a written request to the Probate Judge's office specifying the records needed
- Contact the Etowah County Revenue Commissioner for property tax and assessment records
For Vital Records:
- Request birth and death certificates from the Etowah County Health Department
- Obtain marriage licenses and certificates from the Etowah County Probate Office
- Request divorce records from the Circuit Clerk's Office
For County Commission Records:
- Submit a written request to the County Administrator's office
- Attend public meetings of the County Commission
- Review meeting minutes and agendas on the county website
For Law Enforcement Records:
- Submit a written request to the Etowah County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Provide specific information about the incident or report being requested
- Present valid identification when collecting records
Many departments accept records requests via email, mail, or in person. Requestors should be specific about the records they seek and provide sufficient information to identify the desired documents. County officials typically respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe, though complex requests may require additional processing time.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Etowah County?
Etowah County charges standardized fees for public records in accordance with Alabama law. These fees are designed to recover the reasonable costs of reproduction rather than to generate revenue. Current fee structures for various record types include:
For Court Records:
- $1.00 per page for standard copies of court documents
- $5.00 for certified copies of court documents
- $5.00 for computer-generated case action summaries
- Additional fees may apply for extensive searches or specialized documents
For Property Records:
- $1.00-$3.00 per page for deed copies
- $5.00 for certified copies of property records
- Recording fees vary by document type and length
For Vital Records:
- $15.00 for birth certificates
- $15.00 for death certificates
- $15.00-$25.00 for marriage certificates
- Additional copies may be available at reduced rates
For General County Records:
- $0.25-$1.00 per page for standard black and white copies
- $1.00-$3.00 per page for color copies
- Additional fees for large format documents, maps, or plats
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for making copies of public records. The law states that "every person having the custody of any public writings is bound to give him, on demand, a certified copy of it, on payment of the legal fees therefor."
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and in some departments, credit or debit cards. Some departments may require payment in advance, particularly for large requests or when records must be mailed. Fee waivers are generally not available except in specific circumstances determined by department heads or as provided by law.
Does Etowah County Have Free Public Records?
Etowah County provides free inspection of most public records in accordance with Alabama law. Under Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Free public record resources in Etowah County include:
- In-person inspection of court records using the public access terminal at the Circuit Clerk's Office
- In-person inspection of property records at the Probate Office
- Review of County Commission meeting minutes and agendas during regular business hours
- Examination of public notices and announcements posted at the County Courthouse
- Limited online access to court case information through the Alabama Judicial System website
- Public health data and statistics available through the Etowah County Health Department
- Voter registration verification through the Secretary of State's website
The Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains a public access computer terminal where visitors may search court records at no charge. Similarly, the Probate Office provides public access terminals for searching property records without fees.
While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, certain specialized searches or certified documents always incur fees regardless of the inspection policy.
Who Can Request Public Records in Etowah County?
Under Alabama's Public Records Law, specifically Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, "every citizen" has the right to inspect and copy public records. In practice, Etowah County interprets this broadly and generally provides access to:
- Alabama residents
- Out-of-state residents
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Attorneys and legal representatives
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organizations
- Research institutions
Requestors are not typically required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain why they want the records
- Demonstrate a "need to know"
- Be an Alabama resident (though some specialized records may have residency requirements)
For most general public records, identification is not required for inspection. However, when requesting copies, particularly by mail or for certain sensitive records, identification may be necessary. The Alabama Secretary of State's office notes that requestors may be asked to provide contact information for communication purposes.
Special considerations apply when requesting:
- One's own records (identification required)
- Records containing another individual's personal information (may be restricted)
- Records that contain both public and confidential information (redaction may be necessary)
Government agencies in Etowah County process requests regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, except where specific statutory exemptions apply. The focus is on the content of the records rather than the identity of the requestor.
What Records Are Confidential in Etowah County?
While Alabama law favors transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure in Etowah County. These exemptions are primarily established by Code of Alabama § 36-12-40 and various other state statutes. Confidential records include:
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Adoption records and related documents
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Grand jury proceedings and testimony
- Certain personnel records containing sensitive personal information
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Records containing Social Security numbers, bank account information, or other personal identifying information
- Child abuse and neglect reports maintained by the Alabama Department of Human Resources
- Certain attorney-client privileged communications
- Records specifically designated as confidential by state statute
- Certain law enforcement investigative techniques and procedures
- Records that would pose a security risk if disclosed
- Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
- Certain educational records protected under FERPA
The Alabama Supreme Court established a "rule of reason" in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co., which allows agencies to withhold records when public disclosure would be detrimental to the public interest. This balancing test weighs the public's right to know against privacy interests and other public policy considerations.
When records contain both public and confidential information, county officials typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Requestors may appeal denials through administrative channels or, if necessary, through the Alabama court system.
Etowah County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Etowah County Probate Office
800 Forrest Avenue, Room 202
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5334
Etowah County Probate Office
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Etowah County Circuit Clerk's Office
801 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5355
Etowah County Circuit Clerk
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Etowah County Revenue Commissioner
800 Forrest Avenue, Room G27
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 549-5360
Etowah County Revenue Commissioner
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Etowah County Health Department
709 East Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35903
(256) 547-6311
Etowah County Health Department
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Etowah County
Request court records and copies
Access property tax and assessment records
Visit the Etowah County Circuit Court website
Contact the Etowah County Health Department
Access the Alabama Judicial System
Download court forms through E-Forms