Jefferson County, Alabama


    1.  How can I get help with my utility bill or paying rent due to COVID 19?
    2.  Where can I get vaccination information?
    3.  Instead of coming to the Courthouse, can I drop my tag renewal at a satellite location?
    4.  I've lost my job, what resources are there to help me?
    5.  What do I do if I think I have symptoms of COVID-19/Coronavirus?
    6.  How do I pay my Sewer Bill?
    7.  How do I get a marriage license?
    8.  How do I get a tag for my new car?
    9.  How do I get a new tag if my car is a lease?
    10.  Can I renew my car tag online?
    11.  Can I get a building permit or trade permit online?
    12.  How do I dispose of my household cooking grease?
    13.  Is the Jefferson County Department of Health part of the Jefferson County Commission?
    14.  Can I still get a land record?
    15.  Who do I call about a court matter?
 
    Q.  How can I get help with my utility bill or paying rent due to COVID 19?
    A. 

The Jefferson County Commission has received $13.5 million dollars for the Jefferson County Emergency Rental Assistance Program operated in partnership with the Birmingham Urban League, Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham, and Bridge Ministries to administer emergency rental and utility assistance to those in need and directly affected by COVID-19.

To be eligible for the program citizens must be able to show the following:

  • They are residents of Jefferson County, outside of the Birmingham city limits
  • Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area median Income
  • Be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
  • Document a financial hardship (COVID-19 impact) by meeting one of the following:
    • Qualified for unemployment benefits
    • Experienced a reduction in household income, incurred a significant costs, or document a financial hardship due to COVID-19

Help is limited to 12 months, however in some cases an additional three months of assistance may be provided to ensure housing stability.
Expenses can only be paid if they are due on or after March 13, 2020. Based on need, the program may also pay for up to three months of future rent and utilities.

Expenses that can be covered:
Rent
Electricity
Gas
Water
Sewer
Trash removal
Home energy costs including propane and fuel oil
Other costs related to housing including internet expenses paid to the unit (but not cable, home phone or cell phone) and reasonably accrued late fees
Applications can be accessed at erap.jccal.org.



    Q.  Where can I get vaccination information?
    A. 
 You can call the vaccine hotline for Jefferson County 205-858-2221
Vaccination and testing information can be found on the states searchable database here: https://dph1.adph.state.al.us/covid-19

Detailed FAQs on the Vaccine and Vaccine myths can be found here, and here




    Q.  Instead of coming to the Courthouse, can I drop my tag renewal at a satellite location?
    A. 

The Jefferson County Department of Revenue has installed secure drop boxes at the Hoover, CenterPoint and Gardendale satellite office locations. This is for the convenience of citizens who wish to ‘drop off’ their information instead of mailing it to the Dept. of Revenue.

How will it work?

Citizens can drop of their packet of information in the box with their phone and email address. Once received, a representative from the revenue department will contact you if they need further information and to tell you how much your transaction will cost. Once payment is received, you will then receive back your tag or whatever registration you needed.

What can be done via dropbox?

·        New car tags, vehicle, manufacture home titles and registrations, boat registrations:

 Provide:

o  A properly completed Alabama Application for Certificate of Title (form MVT 5-1E) or Manufacturer’s statement of origin (required for a new vehicle that has never been issued a title)

o   Bill of Sale

o   Valid and unexpired proof of identity(required for all owners)

o  Proof of Alabama Insurance

o   MV Dealer Affidavit – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption(for pre-owned vehicles only)

o  Previous license plate number for tag transfers request

o  Proof of residency if relocating from another county or state

o   Customer contact information (telephone number and/or email address)

·        Vehicle, Boat and Manufactured Home Renewals

o  Provide:

§ Renewal card

§ Copy of ID,

§ Copy of Insurance card (for vehicles)

·        Surrendered License Plates

o  Fill out the form here:

o   https://revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/32-7a-5-022420-fillable.pdf

o  Copy of ID

o  License plate being surrendered

·        Disability Parking Placards

o  Fill out application located here:

o   https://revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/MVR-32-6-230-10-18-v3.pdf



    Q.  I've lost my job, what resources are there to help me?
    A.  Here are some of the resources to help individuals during this time:
United Way: Call 2-1-1 or visit their website for services and ways to volunteer. 
* Due to the sudden stop of businesses, unemployment criteria now allows COVID-19 displaced workers to qualify
* Adults who have adjusted grow income of $75k or less will receive one check for $1,200. Payments fluctuate depending on marital status/household income and children.
* People who received tax incomes via direct deposit will receive the check seamlessly. Individuals who did not will receive a check in the mail. 
Multiple food resources: Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, If you use SNAP and need additional assistance check out Expensify.org/hunger.



    Q.  What do I do if I think I have symptoms of COVID-19/Coronavirus?
    A.  Those who have COVID-19 symptoms can call the UAB testing center at 205-975-1881 for an appointment screening. Hours to call for an appointment are 7 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.

Visit our Map for a complete list of other testing locations.


    Q.  How do I pay my Sewer Bill?
    A. 

Please pay your bill online at www.jeffcoes.org, if possible. 

If you have questions about your account please send an email to Contact_Sewer_Billing@jccal.org.

If you are a Birmingham Water Works or Bessemer Utilities Customer, please contact them for billing questions. 205-244-4000



    Q.  How do I get a marriage license?
    A. 

The site is www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-certificates.html

·       Fill out the form correctly.

·       Print it and have it notarized (most banks offer this service)

·       Send the form and a money order made out to Judge of Probate for $84.50 within 30 days to the Probate Office for Recording:

o   Jefferson County Courthouse – Probate Court

o   716 North Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203



    Q.  How do I get a tag for my new car?
    A. 
Even thought the courthouse has reopened the Jefferson County Department of Revenue encourages transactions from citizens and dealerships via mail or drop box at our Hoover, Gardendale or CenterPoint locations.. 
The documents should be mailed via common courier (e.g. FedEx, UPS, etc.) to:
Jefferson County Department of Revenue
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Suite A-100
Birmingham, AL 35203
Or they can be placed in one of our drop boxes at the Hoover, CenterPoint or Gardendale locations.

In order to process transactions for automobile purchases, citizens and dealerships are required to provide the following items:
·       A properly completed Alabama Application for Certificate of Title (form MVT 5-1E) or Manufacturer’s statement of origin (required for a new vehicle that has never been issued a title)
·       Bill of Sale
·       Valid and unexpired proof of identity (required for all owners)
·       Proof of Alabama Insurance
·       MV Dealer Affidavit – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (for preowned vehicles only)
·       Previous license plate number for tag transfers request
·       Proof of residency if relocating from another county or state
·       Customer contact information (telephone number and/or email address)
It is important that you provide the owner’s telephone number and email address with the documents to permit the Revenue Office to contact the owner(s) if there are questions.
This will also allow the Revenue Office to notify the customer of the amount due for their transaction. You can call the revenue office at 205-325-5171 or email revenueadd@jccal.org.



    Q.  How do I get a new tag if my car is a lease?
    A. 
If the dealer’s transaction is a lease, please provide the following documents:
A properly completed Alabama Application for Certificate of Title (form MVT 5-1E)
Valid and unexpired proof of identify (required for all owners/operators)
Motor vehicle lease agreement
Power of attorney, if applicable
Proof of Alabama Insurance
Proof of residency if relocating from another county or state
The documents should be mailed via common courier (e.g. FedEx, UPS, etc.) or can be dropped at one of our drop box locations in Hoover, Gardendale or CenterPoint:
Jefferson County Department of Revenue
716chard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Suite A-100
Birmingham, AL 35203
It is important that you provide the owner’s telephone number and email address with the documents to permit the Revenue Office to contact the owner(s) if there are questions. This will also allow the Revenue Office to notify the customer of the amount due for their transaction. If you have questions call the revenue office at 205-325-5171.



    Q.  Can I renew my car tag online?
    A. 
Yes, Jefferson County citizens who need to renew their registration may do so via mail or internet (we strongly suggest this option even though the courthouse is open to the public). When renewing by mail make sure that the check is made out to Travis A. Hulsey and proof of insurance is included. Send your renewal request to:
Jefferson County Department of Revenue
PO Box 11088
Birmingham, AL 35202-1088

The most convenient way to renew your car registration is online at: https://tagit.jccal.org/home/requirements
All requests for tag/decal replacements or address changes may be submitted to our email address at revenueadd@jccal.org or you can call the office at 205.325.5171.
Please be advised that the State of Alabama Department of Revenue has extended the deadline for March, April and May registration renewals through June 19, 2020.


    Q.  Can I get a building permit or trade permit online?
    A. 

Even though the courthouse is open to the public we still encourage doing business online if possible see below.

Inspections:

Electrical Permit Inspections -- 205-325-5150

Plumbing/Gas Permit Inspections -- 205-325-5747

Building/Miscellaneous Permit Inspections -- 205-325-5149

Stormwater/Erosion Control Permit Inspections -- 205-325-5151

Non-Inspection Questions
Building (Residential/Commercial) Code Questions (not inspections) -- 205-325-5152
Site Plan Questions -- 205-281-1718
Erosion Control/Stormwater Questions – 205-365-0824
Building/Plumbing/Gas/Electrical Permit Questions Only – 205-325-5152
Addressing Questions – 205-325-5174
Planning or Subdivision Questions – 205-325-5638

New Permits or Applications

Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, Rezoning, Variance, Beverage, and Subdivisions – Information how to Apply andPay online at Online Permitting and Applications 

Residential, Commercial, or Addition Building permits:

NOTE: Building & Miscellaneous permit applications are not electronic and must be printed, completed, signed, scanned and emailed to epermitJC_Registration@jccal.org.

You will be given instructions for payment once the application is submitted.



    Q.  How do I dispose of my household cooking grease?
    A.  Jefferson County has 20 locations where you can pick up a free container to put your household grease in and then return it. For a map of locations, click here. 

    Q.  Is the Jefferson County Department of Health part of the Jefferson County Commission?
    A. 

No, The Jefferson County Department of Health is a separate entity from the Jefferson County Commission. Dr. Mark Wilson reports to the State Health Officer. The Jefferson County Commission has no say in his orders.



    Q.  Can I still get a land record?
    A.  Yes, all recording is being handled remotely through our Landmark Web.  E-recording directions and a list of documents accepted is available on the Probate Court website:  jeffcoprobatecourt.com. All E-recorded documents are being processed daily by our clerks working remotely. For any questions, please email Gwen Brooks at brooksg@jccal.org.

    Q.  Who do I call about a court matter?
    A. 

If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney.

For Circuit Court contact: 325-5355

For District Curt contact: 325-5331

For Small Claims matters contact: 325-5331

For Domestic Relations contact: 325-5400

For Probate Services contact: 325-5420

For Probation Services contact: 323-1091

For all other Court matters contact: 325-5200

For non-court related matters such as car tags, tag renewals call 325-5171.