The State of Alabama

Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa County have a long history of active government. Several congressmen, senators, and federal judges have emerged from the Tuscaloosa area, including current U.S. Senator Richard Shelby.

Alabama State Government - Local State Offices/Services

Federal Government - Local Federal Offices/Services

The City of Tuscaloosa

The city of Tuscaloosa is governed by a mayor and a seven-member city council. Mayor Walter Maddox was recently elected to his first term in office, following Mayor Al Dupont, who served six terms in the office.

The Tuscaloosa City Council, comprised of one elected member from each of the city's seven districts, meets twice a week (excluding holidays), usually on Tuesday morning and Thursday night in the council chamber of City Hall. The newly-remodeled Tuscaloosa City Hall (also known as DuPont Place) is located at 2201 University Boulevard in downtown Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa County's governing bodies, including the Sheriff's Department and County Commission, are housed almost entirely in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse and surrounding buildings. You must visit the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse to renew your driver's license or car tag, register to vote, or pay child support. Non-Tuscaloosa residents are allowed to temporarily register to vote in Tuscaloosa during their time as a student here, please contact the registrar' office at the courthouse. The Tuscaloosa County Courthouse is located at 714 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. Other important information, such as driver's license and auto registration requirements, are available on the official city guide.

The state of Alabama maintains several offices in downtown Tuscaloosa, including Employment Service, Medicaid, and Rehabilitation Services. The federal government also has a few offices in Tuscaloosa, including the four branches of the military, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Social Security Administration. The Small Business Administration, in a joint effort with the Culverhouse School of Business, created the Small Business Development Center in Bidgood Hall (Room 250, 348-7011). The Center offers services such as market research, assessment of business operations, identifying government procurement opportunities, outlining lending options, and business plan development.