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.
Alabama County
Bullock County, Alabama
Union Springs - the Quail Hunting Capital of the World - from Union Springs's extraordinary quail hunting heritage (the rolling Black Belt landscape of Bullock County - with its mix of agricultural fields, pine borders, and native grasses - historically supported some of the finest wild bobwhite quail populations in the South, earning Union Springs the Quail Hunting Capital of the World designation and attracting wealthy sportsmen to plantation-style hunting lodges for over a century) to Bullock County's position in the heart of the Alabama Black Belt where the dark Cretaceous soils supported the cotton plantation economy that shaped the region's racial and economic history.
County SeatUnion Springs
Population10,357
Founded1866
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.
Notes: One of Alabama’s most economically challenged counties; waste management infrastructure is minimal; illegal dumping is a documented concern in rural areas
About Bullock County
Bullock County is Alabama’s Quail Hunting Capital – the rolling Black Belt landscape around Union Springs historically produced some of the finest wild bobwhite quail hunting in the South, drawing sportsmen from across the country to plantation-style hunting lodges.
Union Springs (the county seat, population ~3,500) celebrates its quail hunting heritage while navigating the significant economic challenges of Alabama’s Black Belt.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Bullock County Revenue Commissioner at 217 N. Prairie Street, Suite 102, Union Springs, AL 36089, phone 334-738-2888. AL residential assessed at 10% of market value.
Public Records
Vital Records: Contact Health Dept — confirmed ADPH issues records locally
Bullock County Hospital: http://www.bullockcountyhospital.com
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid: —
Recommended
Search Bullock County public records for Union Springs and Bullock County residents.
Courts & Legal
Bullock County Probate Court at 217 N. Prairie Street, Union Springs, AL 36089, phone 334-738-2250, handles probate.
Senior Services
Bullock County Aging Dept Page: https://bullockal.com/bullock-county-aging-department/
110 Hardaway Ave W, Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2928
Programs and services for elderly residents; coordinating with state/federal Departments of Aging
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
217 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2280
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
217 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2270
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Bullock County Probate Court (marriage licenses, will and estate files, land deeds – see Probate section above)
Union Springs Public Library, 103 N. Prairie Street, Union Springs, AL 36089, (334) 738-2760
Local societies
Bullock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 563, Union Springs, AL 36089 – publishes the BCHS Newsletter
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
Bullock County Probate Office 217 North Prairie Street, Union Springs, AL 36089 Mailing address: P.O. Box 71, Union Springs, AL 36089-0071 (334) 738-2250 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (call ahead to confirm, especially around lunch)
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 Bullock 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 Bullock 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)
217 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2280
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
115 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-3333
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
217 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2250
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
405 N. Prairie St., Union Springs, AL 36089
(334) 738-2260
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Health Dept
Bullock County Health Dept
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid
dhr.alabama.gov 211
WIC
Up to 185% FPL — call Health Dept
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Bullock County Health Department
Address: 203 W Conecuh Ave, Union Springs, AL 36089
Phone: (334) 738-3035
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/bullock
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Bullock County has some of Alabama’s highest rates of chronic disease and lowest life expectancy; health department is critical access point; limited healthcare providers in county
Editorial independence: CountyOffices maintains strict editorial independence from our affiliate partners. Our content is researched from official government sources. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations or the information we publish.
Editorial Trust
5 official sources cited
Reviewed by CountyOffices Editorial Team
Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Union Springs
Population: 10,357
Area: 625 sq mi
Established: 1866
Tier: 3
Public Records
TruthFinder
Search public records for Bullock County residents.
