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Find the Right Jefferson County Probate Court Records, Estate & Division Path
Use this independent guide to search Jefferson County Alabama probate and land records, understand wills and estates, check judicial filing fees, navigate guardianship or conservatorship, find marriage certificates and choose the Birmingham or Bessemer Probate Court division.
Jefferson County Probate Court at a Glance
Jefferson County, Alabama has two Probate Court divisions. Birmingham is at 716 North Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203. Bessemer is at 1801 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020.
Both locations list public hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Judicial probate matters include wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts and related court filings.
Do not assume every Jefferson County record is in the same online portal. Judicial probate cases, land records, recorded documents and marriage certificates use different search paths.
Choose What You Need From Jefferson County Probate Court
Search probate, land or recorded records
Land records, recorded documents, marriage records and probate-related record routing.
Start with the official Probate Court website and Landmark Web.
Full estate or guardianship files may require the correct Probate Court division.
How to Search Jefferson County Alabama Probate Records
Identify the record type first
Decide whether you need a judicial probate case, land record, recorded document, marriage record or archived court material.
Use Landmark Web for recorded records
Jefferson County links Landmark Web for land records and marriage-record searches.
Use judicial resources for court cases
Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts and other judicial proceedings belong to the Probate Court judicial side.
Confirm Birmingham or Bessemer
If the record is not available online or you need certification, determine which Probate Court division holds the file.
Request certified proof when required
A bank, title company, agency or another court may require a certified copy or updated letters rather than a web result.
Probating a Will or Opening an Estate in Jefferson County
Jefferson County’s official Wills and Estates guidance separates testate estates, where the person left a will, from intestate estates, where no will controls the administration.
A hearing may not always be required
Many self-proved wills can be admitted without a hearing when the proper petitions and waivers are submitted.
Some wills require court review
A hearing may be required if the will is not self-proved, a minor or incapacitated person is involved, or a next-of-kin location is unknown.
Intestate administration
An estate may still be opened and administered when the decedent left no valid will.
Minimum estate period: the official court says both testate and intestate estates must remain open for at least six months.
Medicaid notice: Alabama’s Medicaid Estate Recovery notification rules apply at the commencement of probate estate proceedings and Small Estates Act filings. Review the current court instructions before filing.
Jefferson County Probate Court Benchmark Web E-Filing
Jefferson County began electronic filing of certain judicial pleadings in 2019. The official page describes Benchmark Web as the filing and case-access system for attorneys.
Attorney login
Attorneys request a Benchmark Web login before electronically filing eligible new matters or later pleadings.
Initial court costs
Initial electronic filings use credit-card payment through Benchmark Web.
Existing-case costs
The official page says costs associated with subsequent filings may be handled at the next hearing or conclusion of the case.
Do not assume every filer or every probate pleading can be submitted electronically. The official Jefferson County e-Filing page is specifically written for attorneys and eligible judicial filings.
Jefferson County Guardianship and Conservatorship Cases
These proceedings are more involved than a simple records request. The court states that guardianship and conservatorship cases generally require hearings, testimony and documentation before an appointment.
Guardian
A guardian may be appointed for personal or care-related decision-making when Alabama law and the facts support appointment.
Conservator
A conservator manages property or financial affairs for a minor or incapacitated person.
Surety bond
The official Jefferson County page states that a conservator must provide a surety bond to protect the person’s assets.
Common Jefferson County Probate Court Judicial Fees
Copy and certification service fees
Copies
$1 each under the current service-fee list.
Certification
$3 under the current fee schedule.
Updated Letters
$3 each under the current fee schedule.
Verify the total before paying. Publication, certified mail, hearing costs, additional pages, bonds and cash-only requirements can change the final amount.
Jefferson County Alabama Marriage Certificate Process
Alabama changed its marriage process in 2019. County probate courts no longer issue the traditional marriage license. Instead, the parties complete the Alabama Marriage Certificate and submit it to Probate Court for recording.
$84.50
Current Jefferson County recording fee listed by the Probate Court.
30 days
The completed and notarized form must be submitted within 30 days.
No ceremony required
Solemnization is no longer required for a recognized Alabama marriage.
$3 copy
Current Jefferson County marriage-certificate copy fee.
Jefferson County says marriage certificates from June 1985 forward can be obtained from either Probate Court division. Older records may only be available from the office where the original license was issued.
Payment method matters. In-person submissions accept cash, money orders and debit cards; mailed marriage certificates must use a money order under the current court instructions.
Jefferson County Probate Court Land Records and Landmark Web
Jefferson County Probate Court’s Land Records office is the custodian of recorded legal documents involving real property.
Deeds and mortgages
Warranty deeds, mortgages and releases are among the property records handled through the Probate Court recording system.
Liens and plats
Recorded liens, plats, amendments and certain related legal instruments are also maintained.
Powers of Attorney
Recordable powers of attorney and other qualifying real-property documents may appear in the Land Records system.
Case Search vs Certified Probate Documents
Birmingham vs Bessemer Probate Court Locations
Birmingham Division
Jefferson County Courthouse
716 North Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Judicial Office:
205-325-5420
Record Room:
205-325-5512
205-325-5513
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Bessemer Division
Jefferson County Courthouse
1801 3rd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Judicial Office:
205-481-4102
Judge / Recorder:
205-481-4100
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Call before traveling if you are unsure which division has the case or record.
Jefferson County Probate Court Maps
Birmingham Probate Court
Bessemer Probate Court
Official Jefferson County Alabama Probate Court Links
Why a Jefferson County Probate Record May Be Hard to Find
Wrong record system
Landmark Web is not the same thing as a complete judicial probate-file search.
Wrong division
The file may belong to Birmingham rather than Bessemer, or vice versa.
Name variation
Search the full legal name, alternate spelling or known case details.
Restricted matter
Guardianship, adoption, mental-health and protected-person records can have access limits.
Older record
Archived material may require Record Room or division assistance.
Certified proof needed
A free online result may not satisfy a bank, agency, title company or other court.
Jefferson County Alabama Probate Court FAQs
Where is Jefferson County Probate Court located?
Jefferson County has a Birmingham Probate Court division at 716 North Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203 and a Bessemer division at 1801 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020.
What are Jefferson County Probate Court hours?
The official locations page lists both Birmingham and Bessemer Probate Court divisions as open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What is the Jefferson County Probate Court phone number?
The Birmingham Judicial Office is 205-325-5420. The Bessemer Judicial Office is 205-481-4102, while 205-481-4100 is listed for the Bessemer Judge and Recorder offices.
How do I search Jefferson County Alabama probate records?
Start with the official Probate Court website. Use Landmark Web for land, recorded and marriage-record searches. Judicial estate or guardianship files may require the appropriate Probate Court division.
How long does an estate stay open in Jefferson County Alabama?
The official Wills and Estates page states that both testate and intestate estates remain open for a minimum of six months.
How much does it cost to probate a will?
The current Jefferson County judicial fee schedule, effective October 15, 2025, lists probate of a will at $175.
Does Jefferson County Probate Court offer e-filing?
Yes. The court provides Benchmark Web for attorneys to electronically file certain judicial cases and pleadings.
Does guardianship require a hearing?
The court says guardianship and conservatorship proceedings generally involve hearings and require testimony and documentation before appointment.
Does Alabama still issue marriage licenses through Probate Court?
No. Since August 29, 2019, Alabama probate courts record completed marriage certificates rather than issuing traditional marriage licenses.
How much is a Jefferson County Alabama marriage certificate?
The court currently lists an $84.50 recording fee for the marriage certificate process and a $3 fee for a copy of a Jefferson County marriage certificate.
Independent Guide Disclaimer
ProbateCourtUSA.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Jefferson County government, the State of Alabama, a law firm or an official filing service.
Probate procedures, filing fees, division assignments, hearing requirements, record access and marriage-record procedures can change. Verify important details directly with Jefferson County Probate Court or a qualified Alabama attorney before taking legal action.