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Alabama County
Covington County, Alabama
Andalusia's Flannery O'Connor connection and Conecuh sausage - from Flannery O'Connor's Andalusia connection (the great Southern Gothic writer spent her most productive years at Andalusia farm near Milledgeville, Georgia - though the Andalusia name comes from her Georgia farm, it reflects the region's Spanish heritage that named the Alabama city, and the broader south Alabama literary landscape) to Conecuh Sausage (the Conecuh Sausage Company in Evergreen - whose hickory-smoked pork sausage has become one of Alabama's most beloved food products, shipped across the country and served at Alabama tailgates, cookouts, and breakfast tables) and Florala's Lake Jackson.
County SeatAndalusia
Population37,570
Founded1821
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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.
Office: Covington County Emergency Management Agency
Address: 290 Hillcrest Dr, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-3617
Alert System: AL Alert statewide; CodeRed
Shelter Info: Contact EMA for shelter locations
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: South-central Alabama county; tornado and severe weather risk; Conecuh River and Pea River tributaries create flood risk; Fort Novosel (Dale County) proximity influences regional emergency planning
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Covington County Highway Department
Phone: (334) 222-1162
Public Transit: Limited demand-response service; contact county for current provider
Road Conditions: ALDOT – algotraffic.com
Notes: Rural south Alabama county; Andalusia is regional center; US-29 and US-84 corridors; limited transit options
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Covington County Building Department
Address: 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-1162
Services: Building permits for unincorporated areas
Notes: City of Andalusia has separate permits; Florala and other municipalities also operate independently; timber industry generates rural construction
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Covington County Veterans Service Office
Address: 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-1162
VA Medical: Central Alabama VA – Montgomery | (334) 272-4670; also Dothan VA Clinic
Services: Benefits claims, VA healthcare enrollment, pension/compensation
Notes: Fort Novosel proximity adds military/veteran population; Dothan VA clinic provides reasonable regional access
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Covington County Library System
Andalusia Public Library: 212 S Three Notch St, Andalusia | (334) 222-6612
Florala Public Library: (334) 858-3234
Services: Books, public computers, Wi-Fi, Alabama Digital Library, children’s programs
Notes: Multi-branch system; Andalusia library well-resourced for county seat
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Florala State Park – alapark.com | (334) 858-6425 (Lake Jackson); Gantt Lake (Conecuh River reservoir – fishing, camping); Conecuh National Forest (southwestern portion extends into county); hunting and fishing
Notes: Gantt Lake is a significant recreation asset; Florala State Park on Lake Jackson popular for swimming and fishing; Conecuh National Forest hunting opportunities
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Covington County GIS – available through county or Alabama state GIS
Parcel Search: alabamamaps.ua.edu
Notes: Mid-rural county with basic GIS resources
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Covington County Animal Shelter
Phone: (334) 222-1162 (County Commission)
Andalusia City: (334) 222-1155
Services: Stray intake, adoptions, animal control
Notes: Andalusia area humane organizations supplement county services
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Covington County Solid Waste – (334) 222-1162
Recycling: Limited; Andalusia has some options
Environmental: Conecuh/Pea River watershed; Conecuh National Forest; ADEM – adem.alabama.gov
Notes: Timber industry and agricultural operations are primary environmental considerations; river water quality important for downstream communities and recreation
About Covington County
Covington County is south Alabama’s Conecuh Ridge pine belt county – the hickory-smoked sausage that bears the neighboring county’s name and the longleaf pine forests of the Conecuh National Forest define a community near the Florida panhandle border.
Andalusia (the county seat, population ~9,000) serves the county’s governmental and commercial needs in the rolling Conecuh Ridge terrain. The Conecuh National Forest’s longleaf pine restoration is one of the most significant ecological recovery projects in the Southeast.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Search Covington County public records for Andalusia, Florala, Opp, and Covington County residents.
Courts & Legal
Covington County Probate Court at 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420, phone 334-428-2510, handles probate.
Senior Services
Senior Centers: Listed on county website — https://www.covingtoncountyal.gov/
Senior Transportation: CATS (Covington Area Transit System) — see Transportation section
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, Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 428-2510
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 428-2520
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Covington County Probate Court (marriage licenses, will and estate files, land deeds – see Probate section above)
Local societies
Covington County Historical Society, P.O. Box 789, Andalusia, AL 36420
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
Covington County Probate Office 1 North Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420 Mailing address: P.O. Drawer 789, Andalusia, AL 36420 (334) 428-2510 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 Covington 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 Covington 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, Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 428-2510
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
290 Hillcrest Dr., Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 428-2651
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 428-2540
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
3245 U.S. Hwy. 29 N., Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 222-1175
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Health Dept
Covington County Health Dept
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid
dhr.alabama.gov 211
WIC
Up to 185% FPL — call Health Dept
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Covington County Health Department
Address: 793 Brantley Ave, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-1172
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/covington
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Andalusia is regional healthcare hub for surrounding rural counties; Covington County Regional Medical Center provides local hospital services
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Andalusia
Population: 37,570
Area: 1,044 sq mi
Established: 1821
Tier: 3
Public Records
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