Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Pike County Probate Office is remaining open, but is limiting physical contact with the public as the nation seeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus.

Probate Judge Michael Bunn said the office remains operating at normal hours for now, but some services have been affected.

“We’re definitely going to be open for business; we’re just going to modify the way some of our citizens do business with us,” Bunn said. “We already have several options available to utilize our services without ever stepping foot in the courthouse.”

Through the office website at www.pikeprobate.com, residents can renew auto and boat tags as well as recording first-time car purchases. The website also has links for renewing drivers licenses online and a portal for searching public records.

“Those are just some of the ways people can access the services of our office online with-out coming to the courthouse,” Bunn said. “Those have been available and we will continue to keep them available.”

And now the probate office has set up computer terminals in the Pike County Courthouse lobby to access those same services at the courthouse to limit public interaction. Bunn said the terminals are there for people who do not have access to internet or who need help navigating the site.

Probate employees are still working diligently at the courthouse to handle duties.

“Our services are going to be available, we’re just taking precautions to keep our workers and the public safe,” Bunn said. “All of our workers are using exam gloves for the handling of documents and we’re following procedures for sanitizing hands before and after shifts and any time we leave.”

Documents can be recorded with the office via mail and Bunn said residents are urged to call the office at 334-566-1246 if they have any questions or need help.

Out of an abundance of caution and to conserve resources, Bunn said the satellite offices in Brundidge, Banks and Goshen will not be operating until further notice.

The Alabama Department of Revenue has extended some deadlines for citizens.

Registration renewals for March have been extended until April 15th, 2020 without a penalty

Any Pike County resident with disabilities that needs to physically come inside the probate office to complete their transactions may do so. Bunn said the office will make accommodations.

The probate office is limiting access to its archives during this time. Attorneys and Title Abstract professionals will still have access to records so that property closings can still be completed.

The Circuit Clerk’s office had already previously followed similar measures to protect the public and employees, setting up a lockbox in the hallway outside the office for depositing legal filings and checks. Forms typically picked up from the office are also out for public pickup as well as further instructions for residents.