Probate

The duties and responsibilities of the Probate Judge are many and varied. Some duties are administrative in nature, others are judicial and some are legislative in character.

The Probate Judge is recognized in a special category, because the Probate Judge has legal functions as well as many political and administrative roles. The Code of Alabama 1975 and its supplements contain the general statutory provision affecting the Probate Office. The State Legislature has passed many local acts and general acts affecting the Office of the Judge of Probate.

To Search Probate Records, Click Here.

In accordance with AL Code § 12-19-90 (2014), Judge of Probate – Schedule of Fees, The Tuscaloosa County Office of Probate will update the schedule of fees associated with Probate Court and Probate Recording to correspond with fees set by § 12-19-90 effective December 1, 2021. Click here to see the reformatted fee sheet for easier fee calculations. 

The responsibilities of the Office of Probate include:

• Probating Wills
• Administering In testate Estates
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships
• Adoptions
• Legitimations
• Condemnations
• Establishing Cemeteries
• Mental Commitments
• Name Changes
• Marriage License Corrections
• Annexations
• Election Official for County
• Notary Public

Business Filing Update

Pursuant to Act 2020-73, effective January 1, 2021, all corporate filings will be filed directly through the Secretary of State’s Office and not through the county Probate Office. Corporate filings include formations, amendments, and dissolutions. For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s Business Services’ webpage.