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Alabama · Auburn · East Alabama · #317 Most Populous County in the US
Lee County, Alabama
Auburn and Opelika - Auburn University and War Eagle, Toomer's Corner, and one of Alabama's fastest-growing counties. Where college football is a religion, the Loveliest Village on the Plains anchors a nationally recognized university, and rolling east Alabama hills frame one of the South's most dynamic small metropolitan areas. Property tax, courts, public records, probate, and senior services for Lee 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.
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Alert System: AL Alert statewide; CodeRed; Lee County/Auburn-Opelika emergency alerts
Shelter Info: Multiple shelter locations; contact EMA or visit leecountyema.org
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: East Alabama county; home to Auburn University (large student population creates unique emergency management needs); March 3, 2019 EF4 tornado caused 23 fatalities in Beauregard community – devastating event that transformed county EMA; active tornado preparedness programs; significant mass notification capability given University population
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Lee County Highway Department – (334) 737-3570
Public Transit: Tiger Transit (Auburn University-operated – auburnalabama.org/tigertransit); also Lee-Russell Council of Governments transit for county demand-response; (334) 705-5050
Road Conditions: ALDOT – algotraffic.com; Auburn-Opelika traffic management via city systems
Notes: Auburn-Opelika metro area; I-85 corridor is main artery; Auburn University generates enormous traffic especially on football game days (Jordan-Hare Stadium capacity 87,000+); active pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure in Auburn
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Lee County Building Department – (334) 737-3579
Address: 215 S 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801
Services: Building permits, inspections, plan review for unincorporated Lee County; online portal available
Notes: City of Auburn (very active – university-driven growth); City of Opelika (county seat – separate permitting); Phenix City area nearby (Russell County); one of Alabama’s fastest-growing counties due to Auburn University and tech/automotive industry growth
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Lee County Veterans Service Office
Address: 215 S 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 737-3575
VA Medical: Central Alabama Veterans HCS – Montgomery | (334) 272-4670; Columbus, GA VA Clinic also accessible
Services: Benefits claims, VA healthcare enrollment, pension/compensation; Auburn University veterans student services also available (augie – AU veteran and military student programs)
Notes: Auburn University has a significant veteran student population; county VSO works with university VSO programs
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Lee County Library System
Opelika: Auburn-Opelika Public Library – 749 E Glenn Ave, Auburn | (334) 501-3190 | auburnalabama.org/library
Branches: Opelika Public Library – (334) 705-5080; Loachapoka branch
Auburn University Library – Ralph Brown Draughon Library (university – not public, but community borrowing available through arrangement)
Services: Books, e-books (Alabama Digital Library), public computers, Wi-Fi, genealogy, children’s programs, meeting rooms; Auburn’s robust library resources complement public library
Notes: University city means exceptional library resources; Auburn Public Library is one of the most used per capita in Alabama
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
County/City Parks: Auburn Parks & Recreation – (334) 501-3000; Chewacla State Park – alapark.com | (334) 887-5621; Kiesel Park; Opelika Parks & Recreation – (334) 705-5560; Opelika Sportsplex
Auburn University Recreation: AU campus open space and recreation (limited public access)
Notes: Lee County has excellent recreation driven by Auburn University; Chewacla State Park is a flagship Alabama state park with swimming, camping, hiking in the Auburn city limits; Auburn’s college-town character means exceptional coffee shops, restaurants, trails, and cultural events; Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn football) is the county’s signature annual event
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Lee County GIS – leecountyalabama.us/gis
Parcel Search: Available through county GIS portal
Notes: Growing county with active GIS for development management; Auburn University also maintains geospatial research resources
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Lee County Humane Society – (334) 741-8832 | leecohumane.org
Address: 4060 Sanderson Rd, Opelika, AL 36801
Services: Stray intake, adoptions, owner surrenders, spay/neuter, microchipping, lost & found; active programs
Notes: Strong humane society with active foster and adoption programs; Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine students volunteer; well-resourced for Alabama county of its size
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Lee County Solid Waste – (334) 737-3578; Auburn Sanitation (city); Opelika Sanitation (city)
Recycling: Auburn has curbside recycling program; county drop-off options; University recycling programs
Environmental: Chewacla Creek watershed; Tallapoosa River tributaries; ADEM – adem.alabama.gov; Auburn University environmental research (AUESM)
Notes: Fast-growing county with stormwater management as primary environmental challenge; Auburn University environmental programs actively study watershed health; university’s large campus generates significant waste stream with active recycling programs
About Lee County
– AUBURN UNIVERSITY — home of the Auburn Tigers; one of the SEC’s flagship universities; 30,000+ students; drives massive economic and population activity in the county; dominant identity in and around Auburn city.
ONE OF ALABAMA’S TOP 5 FASTEST-GROWING COUNTIES — population est. 189,881 by 2025, up from 174,241 in 2020; driven by Auburn University growth and suburban expansion.
THREE COUNTY FACILITIES — Opelika main, Auburn Annex, Smiths Station Annex; recognizes the multi-city character of the county.
TWO COURT COMPLEXES — Circuit/District Court at T.K. Davis Justice Center (2311 Gateway Drive); Probate Court at historic courthouse (215 S. 9th Street); not co-located.
Lee County is home to Auburn University, one of the Southeast’s largest universities and a dominant force in the county’s economy, culture, and growth trajectory. The Auburn-Opelika metro has been one of Alabama’s fastest-growing areas, driven by university expansion, manufacturing (Kia, Hyundai suppliers), and I-85 corridor commerce between Atlanta and Montgomery. Chewacla State Park is a popular outdoor recreation destination. Opelika is the county seat and commercial center.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
PROBATE JUDGE (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Estates)
215 S. 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-9767
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
215 S. 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-9767
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Lee County Probate Court (marriage licenses, will and estate files, land deeds – see Probate section above)
Local societies
Lee County Historical Society, P.O. Box 206, Loachapoka, AL 36865
Genealogical Society of East Alabama, P.O. Box 2892, Opelika, AL 36803
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
Lee County Probate Office 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 745-9761 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 Lee 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 Lee 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)
215 S. 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-9767
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
2311 Gateway Dr., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 749-5651
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
215 S. 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-9780
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
2202 Gateway Dr., Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-1973
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Health Dept
Lee County Health Dept
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid
dhr.alabama.gov 211
WIC
Up to 185% FPL — call Health Dept
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Lee County Health Department
Address: 2202 Gateway Dr, Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 745-1440
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/lee
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records, restaurant inspections
Notes: Growing county population (Auburn University + economy); East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika provides hospital services; Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine provides animal health resources; robust health services for county size
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Opelika
Population: 174,241
Area: 609 mi²
Established: 1866
Tier: 2
Inmate Services
Care Packages
Send care packages to inmates in Lee County facilities via Amazon.
