What Are Dothan City Public Records?
Dothan City public records are letters, papers, maps, and other forms of documents gathered, received, or kept by a government body or maintained on behalf of a government body. As per the Public Records Law and the Open Meetings Act, the public may view and obtain copies of non-confidential government recordings upon request to the custodian.
Examples of publicly available records include minutes of open meetings, sex offender information, and unrestricted court records. However, information deemed confidential by state law, federal law, court order, or court rule shall not be publicly accessible. Such records include:
- Records of public schools, colleges, universities, and public libraries
- Social security numbers
- Information relating to security plans, measures, systems, assessments, or procedures that may endanger the safety or security of persons, infrastructure, and facilities if disclosed
- Records of closed meetings
- Personal identification numbers, license numbers, signatures, and other identifying information on state employees
- Records deemed detrimental to public welfare and safety.
Public records in Dothan City may also be available at county or state levels. In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Dothan City Crime Statistics
The 2018 FBI Crime Report on Dothan City revealed that there were 670 violent crimes and 2,799 property crimes in the city that year. Among the reported violent crimes, there were nine murder cases, 27 rape cases, 80 robberies, and 554 aggravated assaults. Whereas, property crimes consisted of 197 motor vehicle thefts, 561 burglaries, and 2,041 larceny thefts, the most recurring crime in 2018.
In the previous year (2017), larceny-theft was also the most recurring crime with 1,909 cases out of the 3,317 crime total. Furthermore, in contrast to the 2017 report, larceny-theft in 2018 increased by 6.91%. Other crimes that also increased include murder (50%), robbery (17.6%), and aggravated assault (17.4%). The crimes that reduced between 2017 and 2018 included rape (-25%), burglary (-10.4%), and motor vehicle theft (-1.5%).
Are Dothan City Criminal Records Public?
Dothan City criminal records are partly public. An individual’s criminal history record information (CHRI) is available to record subjects, qualified employers, and persons authorized by the record subject to receive a copy. Hence, access is not freely granted, and third-party access to criminal records requires authorization. Moreover, juvenile records and exempted arrest or criminal information may be unavailable to the public.
The Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) maintains statewide criminal information, and the Criminal Justice Identification Unit is responsible for processing requests. To make requests, qualified persons or entities should mail the Application to Review Alabama CHRI form to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
ATTN: Background Checks
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
The application must be notarized and contain the subject’s fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency, one copy of valid photo identification, and a $25 fee in cashier's check or money order.
Also, the ALEA maintains the Alabama Background Check system that provides subscribed companies access to certain e-Government services, including background checks on prospective employees through the system.
How to Obtain Dothan City Police Reports and Arrest Records
Persons interested in getting copies of police reports filed in Dothan City and arrest records on cases under the city's jurisdiction should direct requests to the Dothan Police Department. However, requesters should note that some reports may be strictly available to affected parties like crash/accident reports or exempted from public access like police records on cases with pending investigation or prosecution.
Hence, interested persons should first contact the Dothan Police Department to confirm record availability before making requests in person at the Records Division located at:
Dothan Police Department
210 North Saint Andrews Street,
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 615-3000 (Main)
Phone: (334) 793-0215 (Non-emergency)
Fax: (334) 615-3609
Note: Arrest information may also be available at the Sheriff's Office, depending on the county where the offender was jailed.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Dothan City
The Alabama Sex Offender Registry is a public database that contains information on sex offenders located in Dothan City and other areas of the state. In line with Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, persons convicted of certain sex crimes have to register their information in the registry maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Interested persons should visit the website to conduct offender searches by:
- Name
- City
- Neighborhood or area
- Email address or internet name
- Non-compliant status
For a list of offenders in Dothan City, use the city search tool. To find a specific offender use the name or email search tool, and to find sex offenders around a particular location, the neighborhood search will be more specific. Users may find the following information on an offender:
- Mugshot
- Full name
- Address
- Registration number
- Offenses description with brief conviction and release details
- Physical description
An offender’s profile page will also have links to submit a tip and a registration link to track the offender. Interested persons can also sign up for email alerts on offenders around a specific address.
Note: The Alabama Sex Offender Registry may not disclose information on all registered sex offenders due to the Youthful Offender Act, juvenile status, or out-of-state status.
How to Find Dothan City Inmate Records
As Dothan City is located within three counties (Houston, Dale, and Henry), persons who wish to get inmate records should first determine the Sheriff’s Office that has – or had – custody of the inmate. The housing facility may depend on the arresting agency. For instance, persons arrested by the Dothan Police Department are often incarcerated in the Houston County Jail, but residents arrested by other agencies may be housed in the Dale County Jail or Henry County Jail.
For information on persons housed in the Houston County Jail, use the inmate search tool provided by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office to search for current or released inmates by name, charge description, and date. An inmate’s profile may contain the following:
- Full name
- Mugshot
- Local ID
- Age, race, and sex
- Admit date and time
- Release date and time
- Time spent in jail
- Confining agency
- Release reason
- Charges with offense date and charging agency
- Arresting agency, bond amount, and bond type
For further information, contact the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at:
144 North Oates,
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 712-0762 (Jail)
Similarly, the Dale County Jail has an online inmate roster that provides information on current inmates and persons released within the past 48 hours. Available information on the site may include each inmate’s names, inmate details, booking number, arresting agency, charges, and bond details. For further information, contact the Dale County Jail at:
124 Adams Street,
P.O. Box 279
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-5402
Fax: (334) 445-4020
Lastly, for information concerning inmates in the Henry County Jail, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office/Jail:
Physical address:
106 East Williams Street,
Abbeville, AL 36310
Mailing address:
101 Court Square,
Suite G
Abbeville, AL 36310
Phone: (334) 585-3293
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Dothan City Jail?
Persons arrested by the Dothan Police Department are mostly housed in the Houston County Jail. For inmate visits, interested persons must be included on the inmate’s visitation list by the inmate. The list contains the names of a maximum of eight persons. However, the facility will conduct background checks on the individuals before approval. Listed persons with pending or prior Class A Felony convictions in the past five years and past inmates who were incarcerated in the jail within the past six months cannot make visits to the facility.
Inmates with visiting privileges can receive free face-to-face and paid video visits from approved visitors. Qualified persons can schedule face-to-face visits by calling (334) 712-0762 latest by 3:00 p.m. on the Friday before the weekend visit. Visitors from 16 years of age should take along a valid government-issued photo identification to the facility, while younger visitors should have either a birth certificate or Social Security Card. All persons must follow the visitation rules, which include:
- An inmate may receive one 30-minutes face-to-face visit weekly
- Inmates facing disciplinary actions may have their visiting privileges suspended
- A maximum of two persons (including minors) may visit an inmate at a time
- Visitors must dress appropriately
- No electronic devices or contraband items in the facility
- Violation of the jail rules will lead to sanctions, such as canceled visits, suspended privileges for the inmate, banned visits for the visitor, or criminal charges
For video visits, visit the Houston County Sheriff’s website or contact:
144 North Oates,
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 712-0762 (Jail)
What Are Dothan City Vital Records?
Dothan City vital records are government-generated documents on life events that happen in the city like births, adoptions, divorces, marriages, and deaths. Usually, these records are in the form of certificates and are often publicly available except for birth records filled less than 125 years ago and death records less than 25 years old. The Alabama Department of Public Health is the statewide depository of vital records information, but these records may also be available at the county level.
Where and How to Obtain Dothan City Divorce Records
The Center for Health Statistics of Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) retains Dothan City divorce certificates and records of divorces in the state since 1950. Interested persons may make direct requests in person or via mail. For in-person requests, visit any county health department with the fees and information required for the search, such as the party names, county of divorce, and divorce date. Persons may also take along a filled request form.
The ADPH charges a $15 non-refundable fee for the search and the first copy of the divorce certificate, if found. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $6 each.
For mailed requests, send an application form (Spanish) filled with the required information to:
Alabama Department of Public Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Mailed fees should be as a money order or check made payable to the State Board of Health. Additionally, Dothan City divorce records are also available in the County Circuit Court where the divorce took place.
Where and How to Get Public Dothan City Marriage Records
Dothan City marriage records are available at the ADPH Center for Health Statistics and the Office of the Clerk that issues the marriage license in the county. The Center for Health Statistics keeps marriage records for marriages filled from August 1936 to date. Interested persons should fill the application form (Spanish) and submit it in person at any county health department along with the $15 search fees and $6 for each additional copy. The form should contain the party names before marriage, issuing license county, and marriage date.
Alternatively, requesters may mail the filled request form and fees in money order or check made payable to the State Board of Health to:
Alabama Department of Public Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Additionally, copies of marriage records may also be available in the specific County Office where the marriage was licensed.
Where and How to Find Dothan City Birth Records
The Center for Health Statistics of Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) holds Dothan City birth certificates and records of births in Alabama since 1908. However, birth records are restricted until 125 years after birth. Only eligible persons like the registrant, the subject's parents, and legal representatives may request copies of these records, and these requesters must include a valid government-issued photo identification with the request.
Make requests by visiting any county health department in-person with the fees, valid ID (if needed), and filled application forms (Spanish) containing the information required for the search. Requesters may also mail the form along with other requirements to:
Alabama Department of Public Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
The ADPH charges $15 for the search and first copy of the birth certificate, if found. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $6 each. Mail payments should be as a money order or check made payable to the State Board of Health.
Where and How to Find Dothan City Death Records
Records of deaths that happened in Dothan City and other areas in the state from 1908 are available at the Center for Health Statistics of Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). However, Dothan City death certificates are restricted until 25 years after the death. Only eligible persons like the subject’s close relatives and legal representatives may request copies of these records and these persons must include a valid government-issued photo identification with the request.
Make requests by visiting any county health department in-person with the fees, valid ID (if needed), and filled application forms (Spanish) containing the details required for the search. Requesters may also mail the form along with other requirements to the:
Alabama Department of Public Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
The ADPH charges $15 for the search and first copy of the certificate, if found. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $6 each. Mail payments should be as a money order or check made payable to the State Board of Health.
