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Alabama · Gulf Coast · Gulf Shores · #330 Most Populous County in the US
Baldwin County, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, and Alabama's Gulf Coast - the fastest-growing county in Alabama for over a decade, drawing retirees and families with sugar-white beaches, Alabama's extraordinary age-65 property tax exemption, and a quality of life that rivals Florida at significantly lower cost. Property tax, courts, public records, probate, and senior services for Baldwin County residents.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
What do you need to do?
Tell us your goal and we'll guide you step-by-step to the right office, forms, and official resources.
Alert System: CodeRed (county-wide); also participates in AL Alert statewide system
Shelter Info: Designated shelters per event; Gulf Coast prone to hurricane evacuations; coordinates with surrounding counties for Cat 3+ events
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: Baldwin County is Alabama’s fastest-growing county; coastal/Gulf exposure means hurricane preparedness is primary focus; extensive evacuation route planning; Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach have separate city EOCs
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Baldwin County Highway Department
Address: 22251 Palmer St, Robertsdale, AL 36567
Phone: (251) 947-7660
Website: baldwincountyal.gov/departments/highway
Public Transit: Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System (BRATS) – (251) 947-6789 | baldwincountyal.gov/brats; demand-response and fixed-route; serves county-wide
Road Conditions: ALDOT – algotraffic.com
Notes: Baldwin County has extensive road network serving rapidly expanding communities; beach resort areas (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach) have seasonal traffic management
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Baldwin County Building Department
Address: 312 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 580-2543
Website: baldwincountyal.gov/departments/building
Services: Building permits, inspections, certificates of occupancy, contractor licensing verification, floodplain management (critical given coastal location)
Notes: Coastal construction standards apply in Gulf-front areas; FEMA flood zone compliance required; municipalities (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, Daphne) have separate permits
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Baldwin County Veterans Service Office
Address: 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 4, Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 580-2510
State VSO: Alabama DVA – va.alabama.gov | (334) 242-5077
VA Medical: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System – Biloxi, MS | (228) 523-5000; also Mobile VA Clinic
Services: Benefits claims, VA healthcare enrollment, pension/compensation, education benefits
Notes: Significant veteran population in Baldwin County; strong VSO presence
Branches: Bay Minette, Daphne, Elberta, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Loxley, Magnolia Springs, Millers Ferry, Montrose, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Silverhill, Spanish Fort, Summerdale
Services: Books, e-books (Alabama Digital Library), public computers, Wi-Fi, children’s programs, meeting rooms; extensive branch network serves growing communities
Card: Free with Baldwin County address
Notes: One of the largest library cooperative systems in Alabama; reflects county’s rapid growth
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
County Parks: Baldwin County Parks & Recreation – (251) 972-6886 | baldwincountyal.gov
Key Facilities: Multiple sports complexes, athletic fields, boat launches on Mobile Bay and inland waterways
State/Federal Parks: Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores – flagship Alabama Gulf Coast park) | alapark.com | (251) 948-7275; Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge; Fort Morgan Historic Site
Beach Access: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach municipal beach accesses (separate city operations)
Notes: Exceptional outdoor recreation; fishing, boating, birding, beach access all major draws
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Baldwin County GIS – baldwincountyal.gov/gis | (251) 580-2594
Parcel Search: Available through county GIS portal
Flood Maps: FEMA FIRM maps critical for coastal properties; available at msc.fema.gov
Notes: Baldwin County GIS is well-developed due to rapid growth and complex coastal/floodplain management needs
Notes: Baldwin County has significant environmental sensitivity due to coastal location, Mobile Bay watershed, and Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
About Baldwin County
– Alabama’s largest county (1,600+ sq mi, larger than Rhode Island) and one of the fastest-growing; 14 municipalities
Four full courthouse locations — Bay Minette, Fairhope, Foley, Robertsdale — for Revenue Commission, Probate, and Commission district offices
BRATS — county-operated public bus system, rare for suburban AL counties
CitizenServe online permit portal — full online building permit submission
Baldwin County is Alabama’s largest county by area and one of its fastest-growing, driven by Gulf Coast tourism, retiree migration, and spillover growth from Mobile. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are Alabama’s primary beach resort communities. Fort Morgan guards the mouth of Mobile Bay and was a key Civil War fortification. The county seat of Bay Minette sits inland; the Eastern Shore communities of Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort form the primary suburban corridor. Baldwin County has no county-wide sales tax beyond state rates, making it a retail draw from neighboring Mobile County.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Sex Offender Search: http://www.icrimewatch.net/?AgencyID=53992
Sex Offender Compliance Division: https://sheriff.baldwincountyal.gov/divisions-details/sex-offender-compliance-details
Submit a Tip / Crime Stoppers: https://sheriff.baldwincountyal.gov/community-programs-details/crime-stopper-details
Animal Control / Animal Shelter: https://baldwincountyal.gov/departments/animal-shelter
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
Phone: (251) 937-0299
Address: 312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
Phone: (251) 937-0260
Address: 312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Case Search: alacourt.com
Senior Services
Council on Aging: https://baldwincountyal.gov/departments/council-on-aging
Information, training, technical assistance, advocacy, and leadership for the elderly
Senior Transportation: See BRATS public transportation
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0299
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0260
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Baldwin County Probate Court (marriage licenses, will and estate files, land deeds – see Probate section above)
Local societies
Baldwin County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 108, 319 East Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL 36536-0108
Baldwin County Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Stockton, AL 36579
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Baldwin County is Alabama’s largest county by land area, and its Probate Office reflects that with four locations – use whichever is most convenient, but note marriage certificates are only recorded at Bay Minette.
Bay Minette (main office) – 220 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507. (251) 937-0260. Fairhope – 1100 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532. (251) 928-3002. Foley – 201 East Section Avenue, Foley, AL 36535. (251) 943-5061. Robertsdale – 22251 Palmer Street, Robertsdale, AL 36567. (251) 970-4098. Hours (all locations): Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Longer waits are typical 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; the office recommends making an appointment.
Step 1: figure out which path applies
This is the fork in the road that determines everything else – how long it takes, what it costs, and whether you need an attorney.
Small/Summary Distribution – for estates made up of personal property only (no real estate) worth up to roughly $47,000 (the threshold is CPI-adjusted annually; it rose from about $36,000 to ~$47,000 under the Revised Alabama Small Estates Act, effective October 1, 2025). No personal representative is appointed, and there’s no months-long court oversight – just a single verified petition.
Formal Probate – required if the estate includes real property, exceeds the small-estate threshold, or there’s a dispute among heirs. This appoints a personal representative (an executor if there’s a will, an administrator if there isn’t) with legal authority to act for the estate.
If the estate qualifies for summary distribution
Wait at least 30 days after the death before filing – filings submitted earlier will be rejected.
The surviving spouse (if there is one) is the only person who can file; if there’s no surviving spouse, any rightful heir can.
File a verified petition with the Baldwin County Probate Court listing the decedent’s assets, debts, and heirs, plus the will if one exists.
Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county; no distribution can happen until 30 days after publication.
The petitioner must separately notify the Alabama Medicaid Agency by certified mail (Medicaid has 30 days to respond with any claim against the estate – this step is required in every case, not just where Medicaid was involved).
Once both 30-day windows close and the judge approves, the court issues an order you can present to banks or other institutions to claim and distribute the property.
Simple, uncontested cases can wrap up in weeks to a few months. Anything with disputed debts or unclear heirs takes longer.
If formal probate is required
Gather what you’ll need before your first visit: the original will (if any), several certified copies of the death certificate, a list of assets and debts, and names/addresses of all heirs and beneficiaries.
File a Petition for Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Petition for Letters of Administration (without one). Filing fee is a flat $45, plus $3/page for wills over 5 pages, and covers three certified copies of the letters.
Creditor notice must be published once a week for three successive weeks in a Baldwin County newspaper of general circulation.
If uncontested with waivers filed, a hearing may not be required; otherwise the judge holds one and, if approved, issues the Letters.
The personal representative then has 2 months to file a full inventory of estate assets, and creditors have 6 months from the grant of letters (or 5 months from first publication, whichever is later) to submit claims.
After debts and taxes are settled, the representative files a final accounting; once approved, assets are distributed and the estate is formally closed.
Alabama requires an estate to stay open a minimum of 6 months, whether or not there’s a will.
A will must be filed for probate within 5 years of the date of death, or it loses effect.
What it costs
Court filing: $45 flat (plus the per-page will fee noted above).
Personal representative compensation: capped by law at 2.5% of the estate’s value received plus 2.5% of disbursements (extra allowed for genuinely extraordinary work).
Attorney fees: not fixed by statute – negotiated between the family and the attorney. Alabama doesn’t require an attorney for probate, but most formal (non-small-estate) cases benefit from one, especially if there’s a dispute or the estate includes real property.
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0299
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
23100 McAuliffe Dr., Robertsdale, AL 36567
(251) 937-0202
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
312 Courthouse St., Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251) 937-0375
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records, restaurant inspections, beach water quality monitoring (coastal)
Notes: Beach water quality monitoring is a unique service due to Gulf Coast location; robust services due to growing population
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County Facts
County Seat: Bay Minette
Population: 200,000
Area: 1,590 mi²
Established: 1809
Tier: 2
Inmate Services
Care Packages
Send care packages to inmates in Baldwin County facilities via Amazon.