Live data — updated September 20, 2026
Shelby County, AL Over-the-Counter Tax Liens (2026): 185 County-Held Listings
Quick answer: Alabama counties hold 185 tax-lien certificates you can buy over the counter at the statutory price, with no auction. You are buying the unpaid tax debt, not the property.
These are Shelby County properties that went through a tax lien sale and got no bid, so the county kept them. They sell at the statutory minimum — back taxes plus costs — to the first qualified applicant, year-round, with no bidding war. The same due diligence as auction buying applies: title, condition, and surviving-lien research before you commit.
See the full Alabama OTC inventory, this county's tax-sale overview, and the live Alabama auction calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What does over-the-counter mean in Shelby County?
When a Shelby County property gets no bid at the tax sale, the county keeps it ("struck off") and sells it afterward at a fixed price — usually the back taxes plus costs. No auction, no bidding: the first qualified applicant gets it.
How do I buy an OTC property in Shelby County?
Shelby County publishes its held/available list and an application process — typically a form plus payment of the taxes and fees. DeedFlex members see the scored Shelby County OTC list with valuations and hidden-lien flags to pick targets before applying.
Are Shelby County OTC properties cheaper than auction?
Usually — with no competitive bidding the price stays at the statutory minimum. The tradeoff is the inventory skews toward what bidders passed on, so title and condition research matters even more.