How Sheriff Offices Work Across Alabama's 67 Counties

Every county in Alabama has its own elected sheriff, and the office is created by the state constitution rather than by local ordinance. Voters choose the sheriff to a four-year term, in the same election cycle as the governor. No mayor, county commission or state agency appoints or removes the person in charge. That independence is why two neighboring counties can run their offices in noticeably different ways.

There is no single statewide sheriff's department. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, known as ALEA, houses the State Troopers and the State Bureau of Investigation, but it does not supervise county sheriffs. The Alabama Sheriffs Association offers training and a shared voice at the statehouse, yet each sheriff still answers to local voters. Deputies who make arrests must be certified under standards set by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission.

Money comes mainly from the county. The county commission sets the sheriff's budget, which has to cover deputies, patrol vehicles and the jail. Some additional income comes from fees collected for serving court papers and from other court-ordered services. Because budgets differ, so do staffing levels, front-counter hours and the services you can expect when you walk in.

What an Alabama Sheriff Handles, and What Belongs to Other Offices

Alabama sheriffs combine three jobs that many states split apart: law enforcement, running the county jail, and serving the courts. Typical duties include:

Other tasks sit elsewhere, and going to the wrong counter wastes a trip. Marriage licenses and deed recording go through the probate judge's office. Vehicle tags and property taxes are handled by the revenue commissioner or tax collector, depending on the county. People sentenced to state prison belong to the Alabama Department of Corrections, not the county jail. Crashes on interstates and many state highways often draw State Troopers, though deputies respond as well.

City police and the sheriff overlap more than most people realize. A police department covers its municipality, while the sheriff holds county-wide authority and is the main agency outside city limits. A deputy may be the first to arrive at an address with a town mailing address that sits just beyond the town boundary. When you are unsure, call 911 and let the dispatcher decide who responds.

Metro Sheriffs and Rural Sheriffs: Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and the Black Belt

County size shapes the office more than anything else. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department operates from 2200 Reverend Abraham Woods Junior Boulevard in Birmingham, reachable at 205-325-5700. Jefferson County holds court in both Birmingham and Bessemer, so confirm which courthouse your matter belongs to before you travel.

In north Alabama, the Madison County Sheriff's Office sits at 100 Northside Square in Huntsville, on the courthouse square (256-532-3412). On the Gulf Coast, the Mobile County Sheriffs Office is at 510 South Royal Street in Mobile (251-574-8657), and you can find more offices on the Mobile County page. Suburban counties such as Shelby County and St. Clair County blend commuter neighborhoods with rural roads. St. Clair even has two courthouses, in Ashville and Pell City. Our database lists the St Clair County Sheriff's Office at 48 6th Street in Ashville (205-594-2140).

Small-county offices in the Black Belt and beyond

Rural counties run leaner. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office in Hayneville (653 Highway 21, 334-548-2222) and the Perry County Sheriff's Office in Marion (202 Pickens Street, 334-683-6534) each cover wide areas with small staffs. The same is true of Sumter County in Livingston (118 Hospital Drive, 205-652-7984) and Bullock County in Union Springs (217 North Prairie Street, 334-738-2670). In towns without a full police force, the sheriff is the primary law enforcement agency, and the sheriff's office often doubles as the daily contact point for the whole county.

That has practical consequences. Response times can be longer on county roads. The front desk may sit empty when staff are out on calls, and some phone lines route straight to dispatch. Call ahead before driving a long distance, especially for fingerprinting, permits or picking up paperwork.

Combined office-and-jail addresses are common in smaller counties. Washington County lists its Sheriffs Department and Jail together at 45 Court Street in Chatom (251-847-2202). Elmore County does the same at 8955 U.S. 231 in Wetumpka (334-567-5441). Lawrence County's listing in Moulton is labeled a Task Force (256-974-2534), so ask by phone which desk handles general requests.

Practical Steps Before You Call or Visit an Alabama Sheriff's Office

A little preparation saves time at any county office. Start with these steps:

Pistol permits changed in 2023. Alabama now allows eligible adults to carry a handgun without a permit, but sheriffs still issue permits, which some people want for travel to states that honor Alabama permits. Contact your county sheriff for current requirements, fees and processing times rather than relying on old information.

Records requests fall under the Alabama open records law. Incident reports and arrest information are generally available, though an active investigation may limit what is released. Statewide criminal history checks run through ALEA rather than the county, although some sheriff's offices also offer fingerprinting for employment or licensing.

If a deputy hands you court papers, read the hearing date first. Deputies deliver papers, but they cannot explain your legal options or change a court date. Contact the court clerk or a licensed attorney promptly, because ignoring a summons can lead to a default judgment against you.

Sheriff offices in Alabama are independently elected county agencies responsible for law enforcement, jail operations, and civil process service. Each county in Alabama elects its own sheriff, who serves as the chief law enforcement officer for that county's unincorporated areas.

Sheriff locations are available in 73 cities across Alabama. They are spread across 67 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of sheriff office listings include Birmingham, Huntsville, Rockford, reflecting the population centers where multiple sub-offices or specialty divisions may be located.

Alabama residents should note that sheriff offices handle civil law enforcement functions — such as serving eviction notices and foreclosure papers — in addition to criminal law enforcement, so the sheriff office is often the correct point of contact for civil legal matters at the county level.

Sheriff by Counties

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If you are a Alabama resident looking to obtain a concealed carry permit, request a background check clearance letter, or serve legal documents through official channels, your county sheriff office is the starting point — contact them directly to confirm required documentation and current processing times.

Browse Sheriff by county across Alabama to find the nearest location.

Finding the Right Alabama County Sheriff Listing

Alabama sheriffs are organized by county, not by city, so the best way to use the listings is to start with the county where the issue happened or where you live. Most offices sit in the county seat, usually close to the courthouse. Cullman County's office is at 1900 Beech Avenue Southeast in Cullman (256-735-2400). The Fayette County Sheriffs Office is at 113 1st Avenue Northwest in Fayette (205-932-3205), and Butler County's department is at 700 Court Sq in Greenville (334-382-6521).

Some cities show more than one listing, including Cullman, Clanton, Fayette and Greenville. That often reflects an office and a jail, or a separate division, rather than competing agencies. The Chilton County Sheriffs Department, for example, is at 500 2nd Avenue North in Clanton (205-755-4698). If two numbers appear for one city, try the one labeled as the sheriff's office first and ask to be transferred.

Other county offices in our database include Marion County in Hamilton (132 Military Street South, 205-921-2101), Cleburne County in Heflin (140 Lambert Drive, 256-463-8911) and Chambers County in La Fayette (2 Lafayette Street South, 334-864-4341). You will also find Marengo County in Linden (101 East Coats Avenue, 334-295-2210), Monroe County in Monroeville (125 East Claiborne Street, 251-575-2081) and Dale County in Ozark (100 East Court Square, 334-774-3114). Coosa County is in Rockford (296 School St, 256-377-2211), Dallas County in Selma (105 Lauderdale Street, 334-874-2530) and Randolph County in Wedowee (1 North Main Street, 256-357-4545). Addresses and numbers can change, so confirm by phone before a long drive.

Alabama Sheriff Questions Residents Ask Most

Alabama sheriffs are elected by county voters, not appointed. Candidates usually run through party primaries in the spring and face a general election in November, in the same cycle as the governor. The winner serves a four-year term beginning the following January. The last regular elections took place in 2022, and the next are scheduled for 2026. Because every county elects its own sheriff, policies on staffing, jail operations and public services can differ from one county to the next. Your county's probate judge or election office can tell you about candidate qualifications and filing deadlines.

Since January 1, 2023, Alabama has allowed eligible adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Sheriffs still issue concealed-carry permits, however, and many gun owners keep one because other states may recognize an Alabama permit when they travel. Requirements, fees and processing times are set at the county level within state law, so contact your own sheriff's office before applying. Bring a valid photo ID and ask what background-check steps apply. A permit also does not override rules on private property, schools or courthouses, so check posted restrictions.

Call the jail in the county where the arrest happened, since the sheriff runs each county jail. In Washington County, the Sheriffs Department and Jail share an office at 45 Court Street in Chatom (251-847-2202). Sumter County lists 205-652-7984 in Livingston, and Elmore County lists 334-567-5441 in Wetumpka. Have the person's full legal name and date of birth ready. Ask about bond, visitation rules and how to put money on a commissary account, because each jail sets its own procedures. Some counties also post inmate rosters online, but a phone call gives the most current answer.

Alabama sheriffs deliver summonses, subpoenas and many eviction notices on behalf of the courts. Being served does not mean you have been found guilty or liable. It means a court case exists and you have a deadline to respond. Read the papers right away and note every date. The deputy cannot give legal advice, so contact the court clerk named on the document or a licensed attorney. If you cannot afford one, ask the clerk or a local legal aid office about options. Missing a response date can result in a default judgment.

In an emergency, call 911 and let the dispatcher route the call. For non-emergencies, the answer depends on where you are. Inside Birmingham, Huntsville or Mobile city limits, city police usually respond, while the Jefferson, Madison and Mobile County sheriffs cover unincorporated areas, the county jail and the courts. In small towns with limited police staffing, the sheriff often fills the gap. If you live near a town boundary, ask your sheriff's office which agency covers your street so you know who to call before you need help.

Begin with the sheriff's office itself. Ask for the chief deputy, an internal affairs contact or the sheriff, and put your complaint in writing with dates, names, badge numbers and any report number. Because the sheriff is elected rather than appointed, the county commission has no power to discipline the office. If you believe a crime occurred, you can report it to the district attorney, and serious cases may be referred to the State Bureau of Investigation within ALEA. For civil rights concerns, consider speaking with an attorney. Voters ultimately decide at the next election.