Birmingham Police Records

Police records in Birmingham are handled by the Birmingham Police Department and the Office of City Clerk. As the most populous city in the metro area with nearly 200,000 residents, Birmingham sees a high volume of police activity. The process to get records is formal but manageable. You submit a request through the City Clerk, pay the fee, and wait for a response. The police department has a dedicated records custodian who handles copies of incident reports and arrest documents. This page explains exactly how the system works, what records you can get, and what it will cost you to obtain Birmingham police records.

Which County Handles Birmingham Cases

Birmingham sits in Jefferson County. This is the most populous county in Alabama. All major crimes in Birmingham go through Jefferson County courts.

The Jefferson County Sheriff runs the county jail system. People arrested by Birmingham police typically go to the Birmingham City Jail first. For longer holds and serious charges, they transfer to the Jefferson County Jail.

The Birmingham City Jail is at 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. The Jefferson County Jail is nearby. Both facilities house inmates from arrests made by Birmingham PD.

Jefferson County Circuit Court handles felonies. District Court takes misdemeanors. The Circuit Clerk maintains court records for all criminal cases. These are separate from police records but related.

For court documents, contact the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. For arrest records and incident reports, stick with Birmingham PD or the City Clerk.

Birmingham Police Department Contact Info

The Birmingham Police Department is one of the largest in Alabama. Their records section handles requests for police reports.

Police Department Address:
1710 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203

Main Phone: 205-254-6308

Records Custodian: 205-254-1765

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

For formal public records requests, you go through the City Clerk:

Office of City Clerk:
Birmingham City Hall
710 20th Street North, Third Floor
Birmingham, AL 35203

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The City Clerk coordinates all public records for the city. Police records requests get routed through their office.

How to Request Birmingham Police Records

Birmingham has a formal process for police records. Here is how it works.

Step 1: Complete the Request Form

Get the Request for Public Records form from the City Clerk website or office. Fill it out with details about what records you need. Be as specific as you can. Include dates, names, case numbers, and locations.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

You can submit by mail or in person. The City Clerk address is listed above. Email is not accepted for police records requests in Birmingham.

Step 3: Wait for a Response

The city will acknowledge your request within 10 days. They must give a substantive response within 15 business days. If they need more time, they can extend in 15-day increments.

Step 4: Pay and Receive Records

Once your records are ready, pay the applicable fees. Then you get your copies.

The process is more formal here than in smaller cities. Birmingham handles many requests. The system keeps things organized.

Alabama Residency Requirement

You must be an Alabama resident to request public records. This changed in October 2024. Acceptable ID includes an Alabama driver's license, ALEA digital license, non-driver ID, government employee ID, or college ID.

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect public writings. But that right now applies only to Alabama residents.

Birmingham Police Record Fees

Birmingham charges standard fees for police records.

Police Reports: $10.00 each

Notarization: Additional $6.00 (if you need the copy certified)

Payment can be made in person at the City Clerk's office. They accept standard payment methods. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the City of Birmingham.

These fees cover the cost of retrieval and copying. They are set by city policy and apply to all requesters.

If you need multiple reports, each one costs $10. Large requests can add up. Plan your budget before submitting.

Birmingham Response Times

Birmingham has specific timelines for records requests.

• Initial acknowledgment: Within 10 days
• Substantive response: Within 15 business days
• Extensions: 15-day increments if needed

These times are longer than some smaller cities. Birmingham processes many requests daily. The system ensures fairness but takes time.

Complex requests take longer. If you ask for records spanning multiple years or involving many incidents, expect delays. Simple requests for a single report usually come faster.

You can call the City Clerk to check on your request status. Have your request number ready when you call.

What Records Birmingham Releases

Not all police records are public. Here is what you can generally obtain in Birmingham:

• Incident reports (basic information)
• Arrest records
• Crash reports
• Offense reports
• Public call logs

Some information gets redacted. This includes Social Security numbers, home addresses of victims, and details about minors. Active investigations may be withheld entirely.

Juvenile records are not public. If the incident involves a minor as the suspect, those records are sealed. Victim information for minors is also protected.

If your request is denied, the city must explain why. You can appeal within the department. If that fails, circuit court is the next step.

Birmingham Jail and Inmate Information

Birmingham has a city jail for initial bookings. Longer holds go to Jefferson County.

Birmingham City Jail:
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35203

The city jail holds people for up to 72 hours typically. After that, transfers happen to Jefferson County if charges warrant it.

For current inmates, check the Jefferson County Sheriff inmate roster online. Search by name to find booking info, charges, and bond amounts. The roster updates regularly.

Bond amounts are set by a judge. The jail just holds people. For questions about bond or court dates, contact the court directly.

Background Checks in Birmingham

Birmingham PD does not do full background checks for the public. Those go through ALEA at the state level.

For a criminal history check:

ALEA Criminal Justice Information Services
301 S. Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 1-866-740-4762

Online checks cost $15. Mail requests cost $25. Fingerprint-based checks are most complete but take longer.

Jefferson County also offers local background checks through the Sheriff. Contact them at 205-325-1450 for options.

Employers often use third-party screening services. These pull from ALEA and court records. For official purposes, ALEA is the source.

Legal Framework for Public Records

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes the right to access public records. Every Alabama resident can inspect and copy public writings.

Section 36-12-41 requires agencies to provide copies for a reasonable fee. Birmingham's $10 fee falls within this standard.

Some exemptions apply. Law enforcement can withhold records that would harm an active investigation. Security plans are exempt. Personal identifying information gets redacted.

Alabama law sets no deadline for response. The state has faced criticism for this. Birmingham's 15-day policy is voluntary. Other cities may take longer.

If denied, you can sue in circuit court. There is no administrative appeals board. You have two years to file a lawsuit after a denial.

Nearby Cities with Police Records

Several cities near Birmingham have their own police departments. If your incident happened outside Birmingham city limits, try these:

Hoover borders Birmingham and spans Jefferson and Shelby counties. It has its own police force. Incidents on the city line can be confusing. Check your report to see which department responded.

Search Birmingham Records Now

Use the search below to find police records, arrest reports, and criminal history in Birmingham.