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Baldwin County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Baldwin County?

Public records in Baldwin County are defined according to the Alabama Open Records Act § 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 encompass a wide range of documents created, received, or maintained by government agencies in Baldwin County in the course of official business.

Baldwin County maintains the following categories of public records:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Baldwin County Circuit Court, which serves as the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. These records include filings, judgments, orders, and case dispositions.

  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments are maintained by the Baldwin County Probate Office and Revenue Commission. These documents provide a comprehensive history of property ownership and encumbrances throughout the county.

  • Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1908), death certificates (from 1908), marriage licenses (from 1810), and divorce decrees are available through the Baldwin County Health Department and Probate Office.

  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations (doing business as) are maintained by the Baldwin County Probate Office and various municipal offices.

  • Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale data are maintained by the Baldwin County Revenue Commission.

  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports are maintained by the Baldwin County Probate Office and Board of Registrars.

  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Baldwin County Commission, planning and zoning boards, and other public bodies are available through the Open Baldwin portal.

  • Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Baldwin County Commission.

  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records are maintained by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans are maintained by the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Department.

The primary custodians of public records in Baldwin County include the Probate Office, which handles recording of property documents, the Revenue Commission for tax records, the Circuit Court Clerk for court records, and the County Commission for administrative records.

Is Baldwin County an Open Records County?

Baldwin County fully adheres to the Alabama Open Records Act, specifically Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, which establishes the public's right to access government records. This statute provides 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 Alabama Supreme Court has interpreted this law broadly, stating in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co. that "the public generally have the right of free access to public records." This interpretation guides Baldwin County's approach to records access.

Baldwin County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records. The county maintains an Open Baldwin portal dedicated to government transparency, which states: "The Baldwin County Commission is committed to providing the public with access to public records in accordance with Alabama law."

The county's compliance with open records laws extends to its adherence to the Alabama Open Meetings Act (Code of Alabama § 36-25A-1), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public. Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are regularly published and made available for public inspection.

Baldwin County has established a standardized Public Records Access Request process, accessible through the county website, which outlines procedures for requesting records from various county departments. This process ensures consistent application of state open records provisions across all county offices.

How to Find Public Records in Baldwin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Baldwin County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The county provides multiple avenues for records access, including in-person visits, online resources, and formal request procedures.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

  1. Identify the department that maintains the desired records (e.g., Probate Office for property records, Circuit Court for court cases)
  2. Visit the office with specific information about the records sought (names, dates, case numbers, property addresses)
  3. Complete any required request forms provided by the department
  4. Present valid identification if required for specific record types
  5. Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents

For online access, Baldwin County offers several digital resources:

  1. Visit the Baldwin County Revenue Commission's Search Records portal for property tax and assessment information
  2. Access the Open Baldwin transparency portal for county commission documents, budgets, and meeting minutes
  3. Search court records through the Alabama Judicial System's online case search
  4. Review recorded documents through the Probate Office's online index

For formal written requests:

  1. Submit a Public Records Access Request form to the specific department
  2. Clearly describe the records sought with sufficient detail
  3. Provide contact information for follow-up questions or clarification
  4. Allow reasonable time for the department to locate and prepare the records
  5. Arrange for inspection or copying of the records once notified of availability

For specialized records:

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

Baldwin County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-41, which permits reasonable charges for the production of public records. The current fee structure varies by department and record type.

Standard fees for common record types include:

  • Photocopies: $1.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
  • Certified copies: $5.00 certification fee plus copy charges
  • Property record copies: $3.00 per page for recorded documents
  • Marriage licenses: $75.00 for issuance
  • Building permits: Fees vary based on project valuation
  • Maps and plats: $5.00-$25.00 depending on size and complexity

The Baldwin County Probate Office charges the following fees for recording documents:

  • Deeds: $13.00 for the first page, $3.00 for each additional page
  • Mortgages: $13.00 for the first page, $3.00 for each additional page
  • UCC filings: $20.00 for standard filings
  • Plats: $25.00 per page

The Baldwin County Circuit Court charges:

  • Case filings: Varies by case type ($200-$300 for most civil cases)
  • Copies of court documents: $1.00 per page
  • Certified court documents: $5.00 certification fee plus copy charges

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Personal checks (with valid ID)
  • Money orders
  • Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
  • Electronic payments for certain online services

Pursuant to Alabama law, fees may be waived or reduced for requests that primarily benefit the public interest. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Does Baldwin County Have Free Public Records?

Baldwin County provides free public inspection of most government records in accordance with Alabama law. While fees may apply for copies or certified documents, the right to inspect records without charge is preserved under Alabama Code § 36-12-40.

The following records are available for free inspection during regular business hours:

  • County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
  • Budget documents and financial reports
  • Property ownership records
  • Court dockets (case listings)
  • Voter registration information (excluding confidential data)
  • Building permits and zoning information
  • Tax assessment rolls

Baldwin County also provides several free online resources for public records access:

For in-person inspection, members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours. Staff will assist in locating the requested records and providing a suitable space for review. While inspection is free, standard fees apply for any copies requested.

The Baldwin County Commission maintains public computer terminals at several county facilities where citizens may access digital records at no charge. These terminals are available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Baldwin County?

Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state." Baldwin County interprets this provision broadly, allowing access to public records for:

  • Alabama residents
  • Non-residents of Alabama
  • Business entities
  • Media organizations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Legal representatives

Requestors are not generally required to:

  • State the purpose of their request
  • Explain why they want the records
  • Provide proof of Alabama residency
  • Sign affidavits or sworn statements

However, certain record types may have specific eligibility requirements:

  • Vital records (birth, death certificates): Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legal interest may obtain copies
  • Adoption records: Access is restricted to parties to the adoption or by court order
  • Juvenile court records: Generally confidential with limited access by court order
  • Medical examiner reports: Available to next of kin or those with a legitimate interest

For most public records requests, Baldwin County may require:

  • Completion of a standard request form
  • Valid photo identification for certain sensitive records
  • Payment of applicable fees
  • Specific information to locate the requested records

When requesting records about oneself, additional verification may be required to protect privacy and prevent identity theft. For requests concerning another individual's records, access may be limited based on privacy considerations and statutory exemptions under Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and related provisions.

What Records Are Confidential in Baldwin County?

Baldwin County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Alabama Code § 36-12-40 and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records are exempt from public disclosure to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.

The following record types are generally not available for public inspection:

  • Juvenile court records and proceedings, as protected under Alabama Code § 12-15-133
  • Adoption records, which are sealed by court order
  • Mental health commitment proceedings and records
  • Records containing Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal identifying information
  • Medical records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Ongoing criminal investigation records maintained by law enforcement agencies
  • Grand jury proceedings and records
  • Certain personnel records, including medical information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions
  • Records protected by attorney-client privilege
  • Trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information
  • Certain security and infrastructure information that could compromise public safety
  • Child abuse and neglect reports and investigations
  • Records specifically exempted by other state or federal statutes

The Alabama Supreme Court has established a balancing test for determining whether records should be exempt from disclosure. In Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co., the court held that certain records may be withheld if disclosure would cause undue harm to individuals or if the public interest in nondisclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Baldwin County officials evaluate requests for potentially sensitive records on a case-by-case basis, applying relevant statutory exemptions and judicial precedents. When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county may redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document.

Baldwin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Baldwin County Probate Office (Recording Division)
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 16
Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-9561
Baldwin County Probate Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Baldwin County Revenue Commission
1705 US Highway 31 South
Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0245
Baldwin County Revenue Commission

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Baldwin County Circuit Court Clerk
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10
Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0274
Baldwin County Circuit Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Baldwin County Commission
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 12
Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0264
Baldwin County Commission

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Baldwin County

Search Property Records

Access Open Baldwin Transparency Portal

Find Recorded Documents

Search Court Records

View Circuit Court Information

Access County Property Tax Information

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