Alabama countryside with pine forest and a small-town courthouse square
ALABAMA GUIDE

Life in Alabama comes
with its own rules. Know what comes next.

From homestead exemptions and low property taxes to the Probate Judge, tornado season, and starting a business, CountyOffices gives you clear Alabama-specific guidance for the things that matter.

Reviewed against official Alabama government sources • Updated as laws and requirements change

What brings you here today?

I own a home in Alabama

Homestead exemption, property taxes, deeds, and storm damage.

I'm buying or selling property

Closings, title searches, deeds, recording fees, and property records.

I'm preparing for tornado season

Safe rooms, weather alerts, insurance documents, and county resources.

Someone passed away

Probate, wills, estates, and county filing steps.

I'm getting married or divorced

Marriage certificates, divorce filing, name changes, and official records.

I own farm or timber land

Current use values, land records, county roads, and rural services.

I need an official record

Birth, death, marriage, court, property, and business records.

I'm starting or running a business

Licenses, permits, EIN, sales tax, and local requirements.

How-To Guides for Alabama

Alabama works differently. Here's what to know.

The Probate Judge Does More

Estates, deeds, elections, and car tags can all run through the Probate Judge's office.

No Marriage Licenses

Since 2019, Alabama couples record a marriage certificate with probate instead of getting a license.

The Revenue Commissioner

In many counties one office, the Revenue Commissioner, both values property and collects the tax.

Low Property Taxes & Homestead

Alabama property taxes are among the nation's lowest, with extra breaks for homeowners 65 and older.

Tags Renew by Last Name

Vehicle registration renews at the county, in a month set by the first letter of your last name.

Current Use for Farm & Timber

Qualifying farm and timber land may be valued on its use, not its market price.

The questions Alabama residents actually ask

See more common questions →

Not sure where to start?

Describe your situation and we'll point you in the right direction.

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IMPORTANT IN ALABAMA

Important Deadlines in Alabama

Alabama's homestead exemption deadline is genuinely distinctive: you must occupy the property as your primary residence by October 1 of the tax year, but you have until December 31 to actually file the application with your county Revenue Commissioner - a longer window than many states allow.

Property Value Appeals in Alabama

If you disagree with your property's assessed value in Alabama, the appeal process runs through your county's Board of Equalization - a local body separate from the Revenue Commissioner's office that originally set the value.

Public Records Access in Alabama

Alabama's public records law gives residents genuinely broad access to government-held records, rooted in a long-standing statute (Code of Alabama §36-12-40) that presumes records made or received by public officials in the course of their duties are open for public inspection and copying.

Storm & Recovery Help in Alabama

Alabama sits in a genuine tornado corridor, with two distinct peak windows - a primary severe weather season in spring (March through May) and a real secondary peak in late fall (November) that many residents outside the region don't expect.

New to Alabama?

As a new Alabama resident, you have 30 days from moving to register your vehicle in the state with a valid out-of-state license, and a $15 penalty applies if you miss that window.

Find the services available in your county

Alabama laws apply statewide, but offices, services, procedures and local requirements can vary by county. Select your county for verified local offices, services and official resources.

All 67 Alabama counties

Browse every county and county seat.

No matches. Clear the filter to see the full list.

Sources and References

  • Alabama Open Records Act, Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40
  • Alabama Department of Archives and History: archives.alabama.gov
  • Alabama Center for Health Statistics: alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords
  • Alabama Administrative Office of Courts: alacourt.gov
  • Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services: sos.alabama.gov
  • Alabama Department of Revenue, Property Tax: revenue.alabama.gov
  • Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Criminal History: alea.gov
67COUNTIES COVEREDAcross Alabama
5.1M+RESIDENTS REPRESENTEDAlabama population covered
1,000+TOPICS & GUIDESAnswers for real life
VerifiedSOURCED TO OFFICIAL RESOURCESEvery guide links to primary government sources