Criminal Statistics
According to the 2017 Uniform Crime Reporting Data published by the Criminal Justice Division of the Alabama Enforcement Agency, Houston County recorded 698 violent crimes, including eight homicides, 78 robberies, 564 aggravated assaults, and 48 rapes. The county also recorded a total of 3,353 property crimes. This figure includes 775 burglaries, 2335 larceny-thefts, and 243 motor vehicle thefts. In Alabama, violent crime occurrence is 39.37 incidents per 1,000 people, and the U.S. average is 27.11.
What are Houston County Public Records?
Houston County public records consist of non-confidential records maintained by any institution and agency under the Alabama government. In compliance with Alabama statutes, every citizen has the right to access public records except those exempted by the law. Examples of public records may include:
- Criminal Records
- Vital Statistics
- Court Records
- Voting Records
- Government financial records and many more
Alabama's public record laws classify some records as confidential. Access to confidential records is restricted to the public. Public records concerning an individual may contain personal details like
- Name
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description
- Location
- Social security number
- Failures to appear in court
- Traffic convictions, and many more,
Agencies may also disclose information on government policies, meetings, and employees under the Alabama Public Records Law.
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 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
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
What are Houston Criminal Records?
The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency maintains a statewide criminal background check for Houston County and all other counties. To obtain records in this regard, 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
Residents can obtain records in person by visiting the office at:
301 South Ripley Street Montgomery,
AL 36104,
(334) 353-4340
How to Obtain Houston County Police Reports?
The Dothan Police Department maintains incident and crash reports for the county. Visit the records department at the office address listed below to obtain copies of these records. Also, the case number located in the green slip issued by the police must be provided.
Dothan Police Department
210 North Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 615-3000
Fax: (334) 615-3609
Crash reports are $15 each. Payment is by cash, check, or credit card. Note that there's a 1.6% convenience fee when using a credit card. Also, interested persons can assess copies of crash reports online.
How to Find Houston 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. Residents can use the search tool to find sex offenders and predators in Houston County and other parts of the state. Alternatively, interested parties can obtain information during regular business days and hours by contacting the Dothan Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. Applicants may request to speak with an investigator in the sex crimes unit to obtain information on any registered sex offender in the county.
How to FInd Houston County Jail and Inmate Information
The Houston County Jail is a detention facility located at:
901 East Main Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 712-0762
The Sheriff's Office runs this facility and maintains an online inmate search tool to help citizens find individuals incarcerated in this facility. Search this portal using the inmate's name, charge description, or the number of days. For further inquiries, call or visit the sheriff's office at the following address:
144 North Oates
Dothan, AL 36303
Monday to Friday; 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(334) 677-4882
(334) 677-4808
Also, friends and family can send money to inmates' commissary accounts online or by visiting the jail lobby kiosk during normal business hours. To use the kiosk, a valid driver's license or identification card must be provided. Note that convenience fee charges may apply.
Court Records
Houston County has a circuit, district, probate, and five municipal courts. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The Houston County Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court records for the county. To access these records, visit or contact the Clerk during normal business hours at the following address:
Houston County Circuit Court Clerk
114 North Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4858
Copies of records between 1-20 pages cost $25, with a 50 cents 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. To access this portal, a sign-up is required, and a fee is attached to each search.
Houston County municipal court records can also be obtained online by filling a court record application form. The fee is $0.25 per page for uncertified copies. For certified copies, a standard $5 certification fee must be paid plus $1 for each page. Note that if a certification request is not specified, uncertified copies will be supplied.
Location of Courts in Houston County
Houston County Courthouse Administrative Building
462 North Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4805
Houston County District Court
Houston County Courthouse
114 North Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4805
Houston County Probate Court
462 North Oates Street
P.O. Box 6404
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4728
Fax: (334) 677-4733
Ashford Municipal Court
525 North Broadway Street
P.O. Box 428
Ashford, AL 36312
Phone: (334) 899-3366, extension 114
CottonWood Municipal Court
1414 Metcalf Street
P.O. Box 447
CottonWood, AL 36320
Phone: (334) 691-2671, extension 103
Fax: (334) 691-3111
Dothan Municipal Court (Magistrate's Office)
115 West Adams Street
P.O. Box 2128
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 615-4150
Fax: (334) 615-419
Dothan Municipal Court (Courtroom)
Dothan Police Department
210 North Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Gordon Municipal Court
692 Tifton Road
P.O. Box 46
Gordon, AL 36343
Taylor Municipal Court
1469 South County Road
Taylor, AL 36301
Phone: (334) 677-5079
What are Houston County Vital Records?
The Alabama Center for Health Statistics records and maintains vital statistics for all counties in the state. To obtain records, residents will need to visit or contact the Alabama State or local Houston County Health Department at:
Alabama Department of Health
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Phone: (334) 206-5300
Houston County Health Department
Vital Statistics Division
1781 E. Cottonwood Road
Dothan, Alabama 36301
Phone: (334) 678-2800
Applicants are required to have a valid government-issued ID before they can obtain copies of vital records.
How to Get Houston County Divorce Records?
Copies of certificates for divorces that occurred from 1950 to the present can be obtained at the Houston 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 simultaneously. 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 Houston County Circuit Clerk via the contact information listed in the court records section above.
Where and How to Get Houston County Marriage Records?
As with divorce records, marriage records for marriages that occurred from August 1936 to the present can be obtained from the Houston 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 further 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 Houston County Probate Office if requesting marriage records for marriages that occurred before August 1936.
Where and How to Get Houston County Birth and Death Records?
Qualified applicants can obtain copies of birth or death records in person at the Houston 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 simultaneously. 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 for 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.
