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Alabama County
Barbour County, Alabama
Eufaula's antebellum architecture and Lake Eufaula bass fishing - from Eufaula's extraordinary antebellum district (the Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District in Eufaula contains one of the finest concentrations of antebellum and Victorian architecture in the Deep South - over 700 historic structures including Greek Revival mansions, Italianate villas, and Gothic cottages built by the cotton planting aristocracy that made Eufaula one of antebellum Alabama's wealthiest cities) to Lake Eufaula (the 45,200-acre Walter F. George Reservoir on the Chattahoochee River - one of the finest largemouth bass fisheries in the Southeast, consistently hosting major professional bass tournaments and drawing anglers from across the country).
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Office: Barbour County Emergency Management Agency
Address: 303 E Broad St, Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-1550
Alert System: AL Alert statewide system; CodeRed
Shelter Info: Contact EMA for current designated shelter locations
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: Barbour County is rural southeast Alabama; tornado and severe thunderstorm primary hazards; two county seats (Eufaula and Clayton); Chattahoochee River forms eastern border (flood risk)
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Barbour County Highway Department
Phone: (334) 775-3203
Public Transit: Limited – demand-response service through SEACTS (Southeast Alabama Community Transportation System) or similar regional provider; contact county for current provider
Road Conditions: ALDOT – algotraffic.com
Notes: Rural county with limited public transit; personal vehicle primary mode of transportation
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Barbour County Commission / Building Department
Address: 303 E Broad St, Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-1550
Services: Building permits for unincorporated areas; septic permits through County Health Dept
Notes: City of Eufaula and Town of Clayton have separate municipal permitting; Barbour County is rural with limited commercial development
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Barbour County Veterans Service Office
Address: Barbour County Courthouse, Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-1550
State VSO: Alabama DVA – va.alabama.gov | (334) 242-5077
VA Medical: Central Alabama Veterans HCS – Montgomery | (334) 272-4670
Services: Benefits claims assistance, VA healthcare enrollment, pension/compensation
Notes: Rural county; transportation to VA facilities a significant challenge for veterans
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Eufaula-Barbour County Public Library
Address: 217 E Broad St, Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-2337
Services: Books, public computers, Wi-Fi, Alabama Digital Library e-books, children’s programs
Branch: Clayton Branch Library – Clayton, AL
Card: Free with Barbour County address
Notes: Historic Carnegie library building in Eufaula; serves a rural population with limited internet access at home
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Attractions: Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge – fws.gov | (334) 687-4065; Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula) – premier fishing destination; Blue Springs State Park – alapark.com
City of Eufaula Parks: Lakepoint State Park (just north – Barbour County line) – major fishing/resort destination; (334) 687-8011
Notes: Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Reservoir) is a major outdoor recreation asset; fishing tournaments and boating bring significant tourism
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Barbour County GIS – available through Alabama GIS resources; contact County Commission for parcel data
Parcel Search: alabamamaps.ua.edu
Notes: Rural county with less developed online GIS than urban counties; basic parcel data available through state resources
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Barbour County Animal Control
Phone: (334) 687-1550 (County Commission – route to animal control)
Services: Stray intake, basic animal control; limited adoption program
Notes: Rural county with limited shelter resources; Eufaula Humane Society may provide additional services; feral cat and stray dog populations common in rural areas
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Barbour County Solid Waste – contact County Commission (334) 687-1550
Transfer Stations: Eufaula area; rural dropoff locations
Notes: Rural county; limited waste management infrastructure; Lake Eufaula water quality protection important given recreation economy
About Barbour County
Barbour County is southeast Alabama’s antebellum grandeur and bass fishing county – Eufaula’s 700+ historic structures and Lake Eufaula’s world-class bass fishery define a Chattahoochee River community of exceptional historical and recreational distinction.
Eufaula (population ~12,000) is the county’s largest city and tourism anchor – the Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District draws heritage tourists, while Lake Eufaula draws bass fishers from across the South. The annual Eufaula Pilgrimage opens the historic homes each spring.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Environmental Health / Septic / Well: Contact ADPH Barbour — Environmental hours may differ
Recommended
Search Barbour County public records for Clayton, Eufaula, and Barbour County residents.
Courts & Legal
Barbour County Probate Court at 1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016, phone 334-775-3203, handles probate.
Senior Services
Clayton Senior Center: (334) 621-5004
Clio Senior Center: (334) 397-2586
In-Home Service: (334) 316-1043
Senior Services Page: https://www.barbourcountyal.gov/directory.aspx (see Senior Services category)
Transportation: —
Meal Programs: —
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016
(334) 775-3203
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016
(334) 775-3203
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Barbour County Probate Court, both divisions (marriage licenses, will and estate files, land deeds – see Probate section above)
Local societies
Barbour County Genealogy and Local History Society, 217 N. Eufaula Avenue, Eufaula, AL, (334) 585-1208
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
Barbour County has run two full county courthouses since 1879, when the legislature compromised between the geographic county seat (Clayton) and the growing commercial center (Eufaula) rather than pick one. Probate has two divisions as a result – file in whichever is more convenient, but confirm with the clerk if you’re unsure which handles your case.
Clayton Division – 1 Court Square, Room 201, Clayton, AL 36016. (334) 775-8371. Hours: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:00–4:30 p.m., Mon–Fri. Eufaula Division – 303 E. Broad Street, Ste. 101, Eufaula, AL 36027. (334) 687-7637. Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Mon–Fri. Probate Judge: Susan H. Shorter.
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 Barbour 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 Barbour 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)
1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016
(334) 775-3203
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
402 N. Eufaula Ave., Eufaula, AL 36027
(334) 687-3001
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016
(334) 775-3383
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
302 Hospital Ave., Eufaula, AL 36027
(334) 687-4830
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Health Dept
Barbour County Health Dept
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid
dhr.alabama.gov 211
WIC
Up to 185% FPL — call Health Dept
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Barbour County Health Department
Address: 355 Hospital Rd, Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-4556
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/barbour
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Serves both Eufaula and Clayton areas; limited specialty health services in county; significant health disparities in this rural southeast Alabama county
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Clayton
Population: 25,223
Area: 905 sq mi
Established: 1832
Tier: 3
Public Records
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