Baldwin County Newcomer Information

Moving is hectic at any time, but moving to a new community in your new home in Daphne, Fairhope homes for sale, homes for sale in Mobile or new home in Spanish Fort, Alabama can really be frustrating and stressful when you don't know who to contact. To help eliminate many of those frustrations and to make your move as smooth as possible, I have provided a list of the places you will need to contact and their pertinent information.

Utilities

Each municipality in Baldwin County services its citizens with power, gas, water and garbage pickup.

Baldwin County is served with electricity by Alabama Power Company, Riviera Utilities of Foley and Baldwin County Electric Membership Cooperative, all of which adequately meet the needs and future growth potential of Baldwin County.

Natural gas is served to the county through United Gas Pipeline Company, which is the wholesale supplier. Individual municipalities along with Riviera Utilities serve as the distributor.

Baldwin County contains an abundance of excellent subterranean water and has several public water systems serving the cities, towns and unincorporated areas.

Riviera Utilities
Power, Gas, Water and Sanitation Services.
Branch Office: 413 East Laurel Avenue, Foley, 251-943-5001.
Main Office: 700 West Whispering Pines Road (Highway 98) Daphne, 251-626-5000.
Deposit Fees required. Service fee included in deposit.

Baldwin County Electric Membership Cooperative
Power only, services rural areas only, with the exception of city limits of Gulf Shores and Stapleton.
Main Office: 251-989-6247
Branch Office: Highway 59, Summerdale, 251-433-0503.
Branch Office: Gulf Shores, 251-968-7585.
Pine Grove Road, Bay Minette, 251-937-2220.
Deposit and Service Fees required.

Alabama Power Company
210 East First Street, Bay Minette, 251-937-5553. Serves Bay Minette and Perdido.
Deposit required. (Can be added to monthly bill in 3 equal payments. Letter of credit from another service company will be considered for minimum deposit.)

City of Fairhope
Power, Gas, Water and Sanitation Service.
161 North Section Street, 251-928-8003, Extends natural gas services to Bay Minette city limits, Point Clear and Fish River. Extends water services to Fish River. Deposits required.

City of Daphne
Power, Gas, Water and Sanitation Services.
Daphne Utilities: 251-626-2628
Mobile Gas: 251-476-8052
BFI Trash: 251-666-5724
Belforest Water System: 251-626-5554
Riviera Utilities: 251-626-5000. Deposits required.

Telephone Service

Baldwin County is serviced by BellSouth and Gulf Telephone Companies. Information pertaining to BellSouth would be the same as listed for Mobile County.

Gulf Telephone Company
Main Office: 116 North Alston, Foley, Phone:251-943-1525.
Branch Office: Highway 59 South, Robertsdale, Phone: 251-947-7722.
Deposit based on general credit history or co-signer. Long distance services are acquired by AT&T and other systems.

BellSouth:
Residential: 888-757-6500
Business: 866-620-6000

Vonage: 866-243-4357
Web Site: www.Vonage.com

Cable T.V. - Internet Providers

Media Com: 800-239-8411
Direct TV: 888-777-2454 ~ Web Site: http://www.directv.com/
Dish Network: 888-284-7116 ~ Web Site www.DishNetwork.com
Mobile Internet Services: 251-433-3418
Skyway USA: 866-697-5992
Media Com: 800-239-8411

Automobile Driver's Licenses, Tags & Titles

The Baldwin County Driver's License Office locations are: Main Courthouse in Bay Minette on Wednesdays, 1 Courthouse Square, 251-937-9561; Satellite Courthouse in Fairhope on Thursdays and Fridays, 1100 Fairhope Avenue, 251-928-3002; Satellite Courthouse in Foley on Mondays and Tuesdays, 201 East Section Street, 251-943-5061. You will need to bring your present license. The same requirements as in Mobile apply.

New residents from out-of-state must acquire an Alabama state tag within 30 days from establishing residence. The cost of the tag will vary according to make and model of car. An Alabama title fee of $18.00 is required on all 1975 and newer vehicles.

Automobile tags and title registrations are obtained at the main Courthouse in Bay Minette or the satellite courthouses in Fairhope and Foley. You will need to present your car along with a bill of sale, tag receipt or title from another state when you apply.

Voter Registration

You must have established residency in the state of Alabama 30 days prior to registration and register with a member of the Board of Registrars at the Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Taxes

Tax burden per person for personal income, property, general sales, auto registration, estate, and gift taxes showed Alabama to be among the lowest of all 50 states.

State/Local Income Tax
For detailed information about state tax contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, Individual and Corporate Tax Division 334-242-1000. The City of Mobile does not levy local income tax.

Property Taxes
For detailed information about rates and exemptions, contact the Baldwin County Revenue Commissioner. 251-937-0245. I can give you a simple formula to estimate the amount of your taxes for residential property, for more exact figures and information on the exemptions and Municipalities call the Revenue Commissioner at the phone number above. Take the price of the house you are considering purchasing multiply by 10%, after you have multiplied the sales amount by 10%, multiply that amount by .043% and you will have an idea of the property tax. When you receive your deed on the property you have purchased for your home in Alabama, it is very important to go to the Courthouse and apply for your homestead exemption and see what other exemptions (over 65 or disabled etc.) you may qualify for.