Tallapoosa County, Alabama Court Records

Tallapoosa County sits in east-central Alabama, bisected by the Tallapoosa River. A 1923 legislative act formally divided the county into two independent jurisdictions—one on each side of the river—each with its own courthouse. In practice, this means the county has two Circuit Court locations operating independently, which affects where records are filed and how you retrieve them. Cases moving through the county's Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts create official records covering civil disputes, criminal proceedings, family law matters, estate administrations, and more.

You can search Tallapoosa County court records several ways: in person at the relevant clerk's office, by written mail request, at courthouse public access terminals, or through online tools. AlabamaCourts.us can help you identify which Alabama court has jurisdiction over a particular case and find publicly available case information. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts also maintains a statewide case access platform for electronic records.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Tallapoosa County?

Start with Alacourt, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts' online case search system. Alacourt covers all Alabama trial courts, including Circuit and District Court records for Tallapoosa County, with options for both subscription access and single-case lookups.

Alacourt Access Options (fees apply):

Service	Fee
Name Search	$9.99
Case Number Search	$9.99
Document Images (first 20 pages)	$5.00
Document Images (each additional page)	$0.50 per page

If you only need occasional access, the Just One Look service at Alacourt ACCESS lets you run on-demand lookups without a subscription. Higher-volume users can sign up for a subscription plan instead.

In-Person Search:

The Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk's Office covers both courthouse locations and maintains official records for all Circuit and District Court cases. Staff can help with case lookups—bring the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, or the case number if you have it.

Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk:

Location	Address	Phone	Hours
Dadeville Courthouse	125 North Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853	(256) 825-1098	Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Alexander City Courthouse	395 Lee Street, Alexander City, AL 35010	(256) 234-4361	Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Mail Requests:

Written requests can go to either courthouse location. Include full party names, approximate or exact filing dates, and the case number if you know it. You'll need to include or arrange payment for any search fees, copy fees, and return postage before the clerk can process your request.

Pro Se E-Notice Registration:

If you're representing yourself, you can sign up for electronic case notices through AlaFile. Complete the registration online, then bring the printed form and a state-issued photo ID to the Clerk's Office during business hours.

Are Court Records Public in Tallapoosa County?

Alabama's public records framework gives broad access to court documents. Under Ala. Code 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state—including civil case files, criminal dockets, and probate documents—upon payment of applicable fees. You can request paper or electronic copies, or make your own copies using court equipment while supervised by clerk's office staff.

That said, a number of record categories are restricted and not open to the public:

Juvenile records – Cases involving minors are confidential and inaccessible to the general public
Sealed records – Records sealed by court order are unavailable without a further court order to unseal
Active investigation records – Materials relating to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Adoption records – Adoption proceedings are confidential under Alabama law
Mental health commitment records – These are restricted from public access
Personal identifying information – Social Security numbers, financial records, and medical information included in filings are protected
National security-related records – Materials restricted by state or federal law
Trade secrets and certain legislative/judicial documents – Restricted under specific statutory provisions

The Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure and Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure govern how court records in criminal and civil matters are handled and disclosed. Electronic court records imaged at Alacourt are available through the clerk's office and the Alacourt system. The Circuit Clerk's office cannot provide legal advice but can point you to applicable court forms and resources at alacourt.gov.

Tallapoosa County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Tallapoosa County are split between two courts depending on the seriousness of the offense. The Circuit Court handles felony charges, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and traffic violations. Both operate under the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

Circuit Court Felony Cases:

Felony indictments and cases filed by the State's Attorney are heard in the Circuit Court. Records include charging documents, arrest warrants, motions, plea agreements, jury trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Because Tallapoosa County has two independent Circuit Court locations, the correct courthouse for a given case depends on which side of the Tallapoosa River the matter originated.

District Court Misdemeanors and Traffic:

The Tallapoosa County District Court handles misdemeanor offenses, certain felony preliminary hearings, traffic matters, and minor civil cases. It operates under the Fifth Judicial Circuit alongside the Circuit Court.

Tallapoosa County District Court:

Address: 125 North Broadnax, Dadeville, AL 36853
Phone: (256) 825-1098

Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records:

The Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement across the county's approximately 700 square miles and runs the Tallapoosa County Jail as the county's detention facility. The jail booked 1,727 individuals in 2024, with an average daily population of 131. For arrest record inquiries or to report a tip, reach the Sheriff's Department at (256) 825-4264. A Secret Witness tip line is also available at (256) 827-2035.

Statewide Criminal History Records:

For a comprehensive background check, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) processes Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) requests. You'll need:

A completed ALEA Application to Review Alabama CHRI
Fingerprinting (required for all non-criminal justice requests)
A copy of your current government-issued photo ID
Fee: $25.00 per request (money order or cashier's check payable to ALEA; each additional copy costs $5.00)

Submit requests in person at 301 S. Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (Adams Ave side) or by mail to P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. Questions? Call (334) 676-7897, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST).

Qualifying employers can use the web-based Alabama Background Check System (ABC) for workforce screening purposes. This system is restricted to authorized employers and cannot be used by the general public to check on third parties.

Tallapoosa County Civil Court Records

Civil disputes in Tallapoosa County are heard at two levels based on the amount in controversy. The District Court handles small claims and lower-value civil matters, while the Circuit Court handles claims exceeding $20,000 and certain specialized civil actions. Both courts share concurrent jurisdiction over claims between $6,000 and $20,000.

Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court for monetary disputes of $6,000 or less. Procedures are simplified to help individuals resolve money claims without complex litigation. Small claims filing fees in Alabama typically range from approximately $58 to $294, depending on the claim amount and county.

Circuit Court civil jurisdiction includes:

Damage claims exceeding $20,000
Concurrent jurisdiction with District Court for claims between $6,000 and $20,000
Real property disputes, mechanics' liens, and injunctions
Judicial review of administrative decisions
Appeals from District and Municipal courts

Requesting Civil Court Records:

The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains records for Circuit Court civil matters; the District Court clerk handles lower-level civil cases. You can request records in person during business hours, by mail with identifying information and payment, or through Alacourt for electronic docket searches.

Municipal Courts – Local Ordinance Violations:

Tallapoosa County has four municipal courts that handle city ordinance violations, local misdemeanors, and traffic offenses within incorporated areas:

Municipal Court	Address	Phone
Alexander City	1 Court Square, P.O. Box 552, Alexander City, AL 35011	(256) 329-6750
Camp Hill	309 Holley Avenue, P.O. Box 100, Camp Hill, AL 36850	(256) 896-4148
Dadeville	265 North Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853	(256) 825-9242
Jackson's Gap	1405 Main Street, Jackson's Gap, AL 36861	(256) 825-8518

Tallapoosa County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Tallapoosa County go through the Circuit Court, which also has a dedicated juvenile division for cases involving minors. Domestic relations cases—including divorce, child custody, child support, and modification proceedings—are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at either the Dadeville or Alexander City location, depending on the parties' jurisdiction.

Types of family cases handled by the Circuit Court:

Divorce and legal separation
Child custody and visitation
Child support establishment and modification
Adoption proceedings (confidential – accessible only by court order)
Termination of parental rights
Juvenile delinquency, dependency, child abuse, and neglect matters (all juvenile cases are confidential)
Domestic violence protective orders

Marriage Records:

Marriage licenses in Tallapoosa County are issued by the Tallapoosa County Probate Office. The current marriage license fee is $81.00. Post-August 1936 marriage records are maintained by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. To get a certified marriage certificate, complete an ADPH-HS14 form and submit it to the Tallapoosa County Health Department in person, or by mail to:

Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Phone: (334) 206-5418

Fees: $15.00 for a search and one certified copy (or a Certificate of Failure to Find); $6.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time; $15.00 extra for expedited processing. Payment by check or money order. Marriage records predating August 1936 are held by the Tallapoosa County Probate Court at 100 North Court Street, Dadeville, AL 36853, Phone: (256) 825-4250

Divorce Records:

Divorce records from 1950 forward are available from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics using the same ADPH-HS14 form and fee structure as marriage records ($15.00 for the search and first certified copy; $6.00 per additional copy). Pre-1950 divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Divorce case files—including decrees—are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and searchable through the Alacourt system by case number or party name.

Birth and Death Records:

Birth certificates in Alabama are confidential for 125 years from the date of birth under Ala. Code 22-9A-21(f), accessible only to the subject, parents, legal guardians, or immediate family members with valid identification. Death certificates are confidential for 25 years after the date of death, after which they become public records. Both types are available from the Tallapoosa County Health Department or by mail to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Fees are $15.00 for one certified copy, $6.00 for each additional copy, and $15.00 for expedited service. Valid identification is required for restricted records. Online ordering is also available through ADPH's authorized vendors.

Tallapoosa County Probate Court Records

The Tallapoosa County Probate Office handles a wide range of services beyond estate administration—it also functions as the county's recording authority for real property instruments, marriage licenses, business licenses, and more. There is no separate probate courthouse; probate matters run through the Probate Office, which maintains three locations across the county.

Tallapoosa County Probate Office Locations:

Office	Address	Phone	Hours
Dadeville (Main)	125 North Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853	(256) 825-4266	Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Alexander City	395 Lee Street, Alexander City, AL	(256) 234-3264	Mon–Fri
Tallassee	3 Freeman Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078	(334) 252-1804	Mon–Fri

Estate Administration and Wills:

Alabama law requires that a will be probated within five years of the decedent's death, and an attorney of record is required for all probate proceedings. If someone dies without a will (intestate), any Alabama resident may file a Petition for Letters of Administration. The petitioner must obtain a bond covering the estate's value, and an inventory of assets must be filed within 60 days of appointment. You'll find detailed guidance on the Wills & Administrations section of the Probate Office website.

Types of matters handled by the Probate Court:

Probate of wills and administration of intestate estates
Guardianships and conservatorships
Adoption proceedings (confidential)
Name changes
Mental health commitment proceedings (restricted access)
Issuance of marriage licenses

Accessing Probate Records Online:

The Probate Office offers an online real estate records search portal through its Recording Department, covering deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments indexed from 1835 to the present. Computer indexing begins in October 1985; earlier records are available in bound volumes and on microfilm. Registration is required for online access. Land records are indexed alphabetically by both grantor and grantee in the general direct and reverse indexes.

Recording Fees (Probate Office Real Estate Documents):

Document Type	Base Fee
Most instruments – first page	$14.00
Each additional page	$3.00
Additional names over two	$1.00 per name
Release/satisfaction of mortgage – first page	$17.00
Assignment of mortgage – first page	$15.00

Deed tax is collected at $1.00 per $1,000 of value; mortgage tax is collected at $1.50 per $1,000 of indebtedness, per the Code of Alabama. For questions about probate records, call the Dadeville main office at (256) 825-4266 or stop by in person during business hours.