What are Etowah County Public Records?
Etowah County public records consist of pieces of non-confidential information maintained or generated by government agencies in relation to public business. According to the Code of Alabama, every citizen in the state has the right to inspect or obtain a copy of a public record. However, record custodians may restrict access to some records if it's found to contain information that's protected by law. Examples of records that may be classified as non-public or exempted from public disclosure include:
- Records containing tax and financial statements
- Records containing the identity of Medicaid recipients
- Records containing protecting banking reports or information
- Records containing juvenile information
- Records that may jeopardize the safety of a facility, structure, or persons
- Records that may reveal protected security procedures, plans, or systems
- Records containing information concerning the use of state colleges or university libraries
- Records with hospital and probation reports
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- 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.
Crime Statistics
According to the annual Uniform Crime Reporting Data of 2017 published by the Criminal Justice Division of the Alabama Enforcement Agency, Etowah County recorded 788 violent crimes, including six homicides, 41 rapes, 68 robberies, and 683 aggravated assaults. The county also recorded a total of 3,580 property crimes. This figure includes 772 burglaries, 2475 larceny-thefts, and 333 motor vehicle thefts. In the State of Alabama, violent crime occurrence is 39.37 incidents per 1,000 people, and the U.S. average is 27.11.
Are Etowah County Criminal Records Public?
Except where restricted by law, Etowah County criminal records are largely open to the public. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency maintains a statewide criminal background check for Etowah County and all other counties in the state. To obtain records in this regard, interested parties may visit the office in person or send a mail-in request. By mail, download, complete and print the criminal records information application form and send it along with a copy of fingerprint card, proof of identification, and a money order or cashier's check of $25 for the first certified copy (plus an extra $5 for each additional copy) to the following address:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
ATTN: Background Checks
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
How to Obtain Etowah County Police Reports?
The Gadsden Police Office maintains police records for the county. Residents have the right to view and obtain copies of incident and crash reports. To access these records, interested parties will need to contact or visit the office address listed below.
Gadsden Police Department
90 Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 549-4500
How to Find Etowah County Sex Offender Information
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains a statewide free online sex offender search portal for easy access by members of the public. Use the search tool to find sex offenders and predators in Houston County and all other counties in the state and view information about them.
How to Find Etowah County Jail and Inmate Information
The Etowah County jail is a detention facility located at:
827 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 546-2825
The Sheriff's Office runs this facility. Friends and family can also send money to inmates' commissary accounts online, by mail, or by visiting any of the two jail lobby kiosks. The kiosk is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Note that convenience fee charges may apply.
By mail, a money order must be sent to the following address:
Secure Deposits
Etowah AL
P.O. Box 12486
St Louis, MO 63132
Court Records
Etowah County, Alabama has a circuit, district, probate, and five municipal courts. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The Etowah County Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court records for the county. To access these records, visit or contact the Clerk during regular business hours at the following address:
Etowah County Circuit Court Clerk
801 Forrest Avenue #202
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 549-2150
Copies of records between 1-20 pages cost $25, with a 50 cent charge for each additional page. Certified copies cost $5 each. There is also a non-refundable $25 search fee for paper records, closed cases, registries, and any other archived records. In addition to this, interested parties can also access court records through an online portal provided by the Alabama Unified Judicial system's Administrative Office of Courts. A sign-up is required to access this portal, and a fee is attached to each search.
Location of Courts in Etowah County
Etowah County Courthouse
800 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (257) 549-2150
Etowah District Court
800 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 549-5313
Etowah County Probate Court
800 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 549-1444
Gadsden Municipal Court
1511 Campbell Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35903
Phone: (256) 549-4595
Fax: (256) 492-8885
Boaz Municipal Court
103 Line Avenue
Boaz, AL 35957
Phone: (256) 593-6476
Ohatchee Municipal Court
7801 AL-77
Ohatchee, AL 36271
Phone: (256) 892-1691
Piedmont Municipal Court
312 North Center Avenue
Piedmont, AL 36272
Phone: (256) 447-3370
Jacksonville Municipal Court
911 Public Safety Drive SW
Jacksonville, AL 36295
Phone: (256) 435-6960
What are Etowah Vital Records?
Etowah vital records document life events that occur in the county. They include birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. The Alabama Center for Health Statistics records and maintains vital statistics for all counties in the state. To obtain records in this regard, visit or contact the Alabama State or local Houston County Health Department at:
Alabama Department of Health
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 206-5300
Etowah County Health Department
Vital Statistics Division
709 East Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35903
Phone: (256) 547-6311
Applicants must have a valid government-issued I.D. before they can obtain copies of vital records.
Where and How to Get Etowah County Divorce Records
Divorce certificates for divorces that occurred from 1950 the present can be obtained at the Etowah County Health Department in person or by mailing a completed application form to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Certified copies of divorce certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 per additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. If requesting by mail, include a check or money order with the appropriate fees made payable to the "State Board of Health."
To obtain copies of divorce records from before 1950, contact the Etowah County Circuit Clerk via the contact information listed in the court records section above.
Where and How to Get Etowah County Marriage Records?
As with divorce records, marriage records for marriages that occurred from August 1936 to the present can be obtained from the Etowah County Health Department in person or by mailing a completed application form to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Certified copies cost $15 each and an additional $6 for each additional record ordered simultaneously. If requesting by mail, include a check or money order with the appropriate fees made payable to the "State Board of Health."
Contact the Etowah County Probate Office if requesting marriage records for marriages that occurred before August 1936.
Where and How to Get Etowah County Birth and Death Records?
Qualified applicants can obtain copies of birth or death records in person at the County Health Department or by mailing a completed birth and death application form to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Birth/death certificates cost $15 each and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Applicants who mail-in a request are required to include a check or money order with the appropriate fees made payable to "State Board of Health." In addition, there is also an extra $15 fee for expedited requests of birth certificates.
Note that only records from 1908 to the present are available. Copies of birth certificates 125 years after the date of birth and death certificates 25 years after the date of death can only be issued to named registrants, registrant's immediate family, or legal representatives/authorities.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
