Tallapoosa County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Tallapoosa County in 2026

TallapoosaRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data that may include court filings, property documents, vital statistics, and other government-held records. The categories of records that may be accessible through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Tax and revenue records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning documents

Records in Tallapoosa County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

Trial court records are accessible through the Alabama Courts portal via the "Just One Look" on-demand feature. The Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk office notes that "most trial court information may be obtained through www.alacourt.gov using the link 'Just One Look' for On-Demand access to Alabama State Trial Court Records."
Property appraisal and assessment data are available through the Tallapoosa County Online Record Search for Appraisal & Assessment Information, maintained in coordination with the Alabama Department of Revenue.
Court forms may be downloaded from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts E-Forms portal, which provides PDF documents for public use without registration.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public wishing to inspect records in person may visit the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville. The Circuit Clerk's Office, the Probate Judge's Office, and the Revenue Commissioner's Office each maintain distinct record sets. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state and federal holidays.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate the document. Requestors should include their name, return mailing address, a description of the record, and the preferred format for delivery. Under § 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, agencies are expected to respond promptly to public records requests.

Phone/Email:

Tallapoosa County Courthouse main line: (256) 825-4266
Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk: (256) 825-4266

What Are Public Records in Tallapoosa County?

Public records in Tallapoosa County are defined under Alabama law as any writing, document, or data compilation prepared, maintained, or received by a public agency in the conduct of official business. The Alabama Open Records Law, codified at § 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, establishes the foundational right of citizens to inspect and copy government documents.

The following record types are currently maintained by designated offices in Tallapoosa County:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Probate and estate records	Probate Judge's Office
Property deeds and mortgages	Probate Judge's Office
Property appraisal and assessment	Revenue Commissioner's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Tallapoosa County Health Department
Business licenses and permits	Probate Judge's Office / County Commission
Tax records	Revenue Commissioner's Office
Voting and election records	Board of Registrars
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Commission Clerk
Law enforcement records	Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office

The Tallapoosa County Health Department administers vital records services, including birth and death certificates, in coordination with the Alabama Department of Public Health. Requests for certified vital records may be submitted through the ADPH Vital Records office serving Tallapoosa County.

Is Tallapoosa County an Open Records County?

Tallapoosa County fully operates under Alabama's statewide open records framework, which applies uniformly to all counties and municipalities. The Alabama Open Records Law, § 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, 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." This provision establishes a presumption of openness for all government records not specifically exempted by law.

The Alabama Department of Revenue's public records request policy affirms this standard, stating that the law "provides that '[e]very citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state.'" County offices in Tallapoosa County are bound by this statute and may not impose additional restrictions beyond those authorized under state law. No county-specific ordinance currently narrows or expands the rights established by the state open records statute. Tallapoosa County also complies with Alabama's Open Meetings Act, which requires that deliberations of public bodies be conducted in public and that meeting minutes be made available for inspection.

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

The cost of obtaining public records in Tallapoosa County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Under current law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies but may not charge for the time spent inspecting records at a public counter.

Fee Category	Standard Amount
Standard paper copies	$0.25–$1.00 per page (varies by office)
Certified court document copies	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Certified vital records (birth/death)	$15.00 per certificate (ADPH schedule)
Certified marriage records	$15.00 per certificate
Property record copies	Varies by document length
Electronic record formats	Determined by individual office

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods before visiting. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in connection with certain legal proceedings, subject to the discretion of the custodial office. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency also processes certain public records requests; the ALEA Tallapoosa County office can provide guidance on applicable fees for law enforcement-related documents.

Does Tallapoosa County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Tallapoosa County, consistent with the requirements of Alabama law. Members of the public may examine records at the custodial office without charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to receive free copies; fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

Alabama Courts Online ("Just One Look"): Members of the public may search trial court case information at no cost through the state courts portal, as referenced by the Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk.
Tallapoosa County Appraisal and Assessment Records: Property ownership and assessment data are accessible at no charge through the county's online appraisal search tool.
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts E-Forms: Standard court forms are available for free download through the AOC E-Forms portal.
In-person inspection: All county offices permit free on-site inspection of non-exempt public records during business hours.

Certified copies of vital records, court documents, and property instruments are subject to the fee schedules described in the preceding section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Tallapoosa County?

Any person may request public records in Tallapoosa County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Alabama law does not restrict the right to inspect public records to state residents. Under § 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, the right to inspect public writings extends to "every citizen," and Alabama courts have interpreted this provision broadly to include any member of the public.

Requestors are not required to:

Demonstrate Alabama residency
Provide a government-issued identification for most record types
State the purpose of the request

Certain record categories impose additional requirements. Requests for records containing sensitive personal information, such as juvenile court records, adoption files, or sealed court documents, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order. Individuals seeking their own records from the Alabama Department of Human Resources or the Alabama Department of Mental Health may be required to provide proof of identity. Non-residents retain the same inspection rights as Alabama residents for records that are open to the general public.

What Records Are Confidential in Tallapoosa County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Tallapoosa County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Alabama law. The Alabama Open Records Law expressly preserves exemptions established by other statutes, and several categories of records are withheld from public inspection as a matter of law or agency policy.

Records that are currently exempt or restricted include:

Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is redacted from publicly released documents.
Medical and health records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable state law.
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Alabama Department of Human Resources relating to child abuse or neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure except for information relating to compensation and job classification.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

Agencies applying exemptions are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding a record. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the appropriate court.

Tallapoosa County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Tallapoosa County Probate Judge's Office
125 N. Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-4268
Tallapoosa County Probate Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Tallapoosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
125 N. Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-4266
Circuit Clerk, Tallapoosa County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner's Office
125 N. Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-1048
Tallapoosa County Appraisal and Assessment Records

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tallapoosa County Health Department
409 Friendship Road, Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-9751
Tallapoosa County Health Department – Vital Records

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Tallapoosa County Driver License Office
Tallapoosa County, AL
(256) 825-4266
ALEA Tallapoosa County