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Alabama County
Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Lake Martin and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend - from Lake Martin (the 40,000-acre Alabama Power reservoir on the Tallapoosa River - one of Alabama's most beautiful and popular recreation lakes, with 750 miles of shoreline through the rolling Piedmont landscape, exceptional water clarity, and a thriving resort and vacation home economy) to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (the site of Andrew Jackson's decisive March 27, 1814 victory over the Creek Nation - the Battle of Horseshoe Bend ended the Creek War, opened Alabama to American settlement, and launched Andrew Jackson's path to the presidency).
County SeatDadeville
Population41,311
Founded1832
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Office: Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency
Address: 125 N Broadnax St, Dadeville, AL 36853
Phone: (256) 825-4278
Alert System: AL Alert statewide; CodeRed
Shelter Info: Contact EMA for shelter locations; Lake Martin flood planning
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: East-central Alabama county; Lake Martin (Tallapoosa River – largest privately developed lake in the US when created) is dominant feature; tornado corridor; Alabama Power’s Martin Dam and Lake Martin create flood risk management needs; resort/retirement community character in parts of county
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Tallapoosa County Highway Department
Phone: (256) 825-4278
Public Transit: Very limited; demand-response only; lake community has seasonal traffic patterns
Road Conditions: ALDOT – algotraffic.com
Notes: US-280 and AL-49 are main corridors; Dadeville is county seat; Alexander City (Tallapoosa County seat area but primarily Tallapoosa County); Lake Martin drives significant seasonal traffic; limited transit
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Tallapoosa County Building Department
Address: 125 N Broadnax St, Dadeville, AL 36853
Phone: (256) 825-4278
Services: Building permits for unincorporated areas; extensive lakefront development permits on Lake Martin
Notes: Alexander City (Tallapoosa County’s largest city – separate permits); Dadeville, Jacksons Gap, Camp Hill have separate permits; Lake Martin waterfront development – docks, boathouses, lakefront homes – generates major permit activity
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Tallapoosa County Veterans Service Office
Address: 125 N Broadnax St, Dadeville, AL 36853
Phone: (256) 825-4278
VA Medical: Central Alabama VA – Montgomery | (334) 272-4670; Birmingham VA – (205) 933-8101
Services: Benefits claims, VA healthcare enrollment
Notes: Moderate distance to VA facilities; rural county
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Tallapoosa County Library System
Alexander City: Thomas D. Russell Public Library – (256) 234-3266
Dadeville Branch: (256) 825-9779
Services: Books, e-books (Alabama Digital Library), public computers, Wi-Fi, genealogy, children’s programs
Notes: Two-branch system; Alexander City has more extensive library services; lake community readers with varied backgrounds
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Lake Martin (Water World – 44,000 acres; 750 miles of shoreline; premier Alabama lake destination); Wind Creek State Park – alapark.com | (256) 329-0845 (largest state park campground in Alabama – on Lake Martin); Lake Martin water sports, fishing (world-class largemouth bass), boating; Children’s Harbor (nonprofit family retreat on Lake Martin)
Notes: Lake Martin is one of the Southeast’s premier lake destinations; Wind Creek State Park’s campground is the largest state park campground in Alabama; premier largemouth bass fishing draws national anglers; Alexander City’s Russell Corporation history (Russell Athletic) is a major regional manufacturing legacy; lake community with resort character throughout summer
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Limited; Alabama state GIS – alabamamaps.ua.edu
Notes: Lake-oriented county; lake property and shoreline mapping important; basic GIS through state resources
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Tallapoosa County Animal Control
Phone: (256) 825-4278 (County Commission)
Services: Stray intake, basic adoptions, animal control
Notes: Limited resources; Alexander City area has some organized humane activity; lake community seasonal pet issues (vacation pets, strays)
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Tallapoosa County Solid Waste – (256) 825-4278; Alexander City Sanitation separately
Recycling: Some options in Alexander City area
Environmental: Lake Martin water quality (Alabama Power managed reservoir); Tallapoosa River watershed; ADEM – adem.alabama.gov; Alabama Power environmental responsibilities for Martin Dam
Notes: Lake Martin water quality is critical for the major recreation economy; Alabama Power manages Martin Dam and has environmental stewardship responsibilities; lake development runoff is monitored; septic system management around the lake is an ongoing environmental concern; algae bloom management during hot months important for the tourism economy
About Tallapoosa County
Tallapoosa County is east-central Alabama’s Lake Martin and Horseshoe Bend county – the beautiful reservoir and the battlefield where Andrew Jackson’s victory over the Creek Nation opened Alabama to American settlement define a community of recreational and historical significance.
Lake Martin draws visitors and retirees from across Alabama and Georgia – the 750-mile shoreline, clear Piedmont water, and resort developments make it one of Alabama’s premier lake destinations. Alexander City (population ~15,000) serves the lake’s commercial needs.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner at 125 N. Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853, phone 256-825-7818. AL residential assessed at 10% of market value.
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid: Via dhr.alabama.gov/county-office-contact/
Recommended
Search Tallapoosa County public records for Dadeville, Alexander City, and Tallapoosa County residents.
Courts & Legal
Tallapoosa County Probate Court at 125 N. Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853, phone 256-825-4268, handles probate.
Senior Services
Senior Services: —
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)
125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-1018
CIRCUIT CLERK (Court Records)
125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-1018
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Tallapoosa County Probate Court, both divisions – marriage and probate records from 1835 (see Probate section above)
Horseshoe Bend Regional Library, 205 North West Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
Local societies
Tallapoosa County Historical Society, 1426 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010
Tallapoosee Historical Society / Tallapoosee Historical Museum, Dadeville, AL – founded 1969, genealogical research room open to visitors
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
Tallapoosa County runs two probate divisions – file in whichever is more convenient, but confirm with the clerk if you’re unsure which handles your case.
Eastern Division – 125 North Broadnax Street, Room 126, Dadeville, AL 36853. (256) 825-4266. Western Division – 1 Court Square, Alexander City, AL 35011 (mailing: P.O. Box 189, Alexander City, AL 35011). (256) 234-4361. 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 Tallapoosa 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 Tallapoosa 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)
125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-1018
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
65 Courthouse Square, Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-4264
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
BOARD OF REGISTRARS (Voter Registration)
125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853
(256) 825-1018
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
7555 US-280, Alexander City, AL 35010
(256) 825-9751
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
Health Dept
Tallapoosa County Health Dept
DHR / SNAP / Medicaid
dhr.alabama.gov 211
WIC
Up to 185% FPL — call Health Dept
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Tallapoosa County Health Department
Address: 1001 Tallapoosa St, Alexander City, AL 35010
Phone: (256) 329-0118
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/tallapoosa
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Russell Medical Center in Alexander City provides hospital services; lake community creates seasonal population health demands; retirement community health profile
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Dadeville
Population: 41,311
Area: 717 sq mi
Established: 1832
Tier: 3
Public Records
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