Search Huntsville Divorce Records
Divorce records for Huntsville residents are filed and stored at the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office in downtown Huntsville. As the largest city in Alabama with around 215,000 people, Huntsville sees a high volume of divorce cases each year. The 23rd Judicial Circuit handles all domestic relations matters for Madison County, and the clerk's office maintains complete case files going back many years. Whether you need a copy of a final decree, want to look up case details, or need certified documents for legal purposes, the Madison County Circuit Clerk is the place to go. You can search for basic case info online through the Alacourt ACCESS system, or visit the courthouse in person to request copies and view physical files.
Huntsville Quick Facts
Where Huntsville Divorces Are Filed
Huntsville doesn't have its own divorce court - that's not how the system works in Alabama. All divorce cases are handled at the county level. For Huntsville residents, that means Madison County is where you file for divorce and where the records are kept. The Madison County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and alimony.
The courthouse is right in the middle of downtown Huntsville, which makes sense since Huntsville is the county seat. If you live in Huntsville and want to file for divorce, you'll go to the Circuit Clerk's office on the second floor of the Madison County Courthouse. That same office is where you get copies of existing divorce records, whether it's your own case or someone else's.
Keep in mind that Alabama law requires you to file in the county where you or your spouse lives. So if you're a Huntsville resident but your spouse lives in a different county, you might have options about where to file. But if the divorce was filed in Madison County, that's where the records will be - not at any city office in Huntsville.
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
This office handles all divorce filings and keeps the records for Huntsville. Need to file a new case? Go here. Want to look up an old one? Same place. Need copies of papers? They do that too. The staff does a ton of divorce work, so they know the drill.
| Address | 100 North Side Square, Room 217 Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 532-3390 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 23rd Judicial Circuit of Alabama |
| County Page | Madison County Divorce Records |
The courthouse is easy to find - it's on the north side of the downtown square, right in the heart of Huntsville. There's metered street parking around the square and a parking deck nearby. When you get to the courthouse, go through security and head up to Room 217 on the second floor. The clerk's staff can look up cases by name or case number while you wait.
How to Search Huntsville Divorce Records
Search Online
The quickest way to find Huntsville divorce records is through Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com. This is Alabama's statewide court records database. You pay $9.99 for a search, and you can look up cases by the names of either spouse or by case number if you have it. The search results show case type, filing date, case status, and party names. If you need to see actual documents from the file, you can pay an additional fee to access case images.
The online system is good for quick lookups and basic info. It'll tell you if a divorce was filed, when it was finalized, and who the parties were. For detailed information about property division, custody arrangements, or support orders, you'll usually want the actual decree and supporting documents.
Request Records in Person
For the most complete access, visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Madison County Courthouse. Bring whatever info you have - names of both spouses, approximate year of divorce, or case number. The staff will search their records and can print copies of documents from recent cases right away. Older cases that have been archived might take a bit longer to retrieve.
In-person requests are also better if you're not sure exactly what you need. The clerk staff can explain what documents are in a typical divorce file and help you figure out which ones you actually want. They've seen it all before and know what most people are looking for.
Mail Requests
You can send a written request if you can't come to Huntsville. Include the names of both parties, when the divorce happened (at least the year), what documents you want, and your contact info. Include payment for fees - call ahead to get the exact amount. Mail to:
Madison County Circuit Clerk
100 North Side Square, Room 217
Huntsville, AL 35801
What's in Huntsville Divorce Records
A divorce case file contains all the paperwork that was filed during the divorce proceeding. Here's what you can expect to find:
Divorce Petition
This is the document that starts the case. The petition has basic info about the marriage - when and where the couple married, names of any children, and what the filing spouse wants in terms of property, custody, and support. It also states the grounds for divorce, which in Alabama can be no-fault (incompatibility) or fault-based (adultery, abandonment, etc.).
Final Divorce Decree
The decree is what officially ends the marriage. It's signed by a judge and contains all the court's final decisions. This document covers who gets what property, whether anyone pays alimony, custody and visitation arrangements, and child support amounts. Most people who request divorce records want this document specifically because it's proof that the divorce is final.
Settlement Agreement
In uncontested divorces, the spouses agree on everything and put it in writing. This settlement agreement becomes part of the case file and is usually incorporated into the decree. It has all the details about property division and parenting plans that the couple worked out themselves.
Custody and Support Documents
When children are involved, the file has detailed custody orders. These cover physical custody (who the kids live with), legal custody (who makes decisions), visitation schedules, and child support calculations. Madison County uses Alabama's guidelines to determine support amounts based on both parents' incomes.
Other Filings
Contested divorces generate lots of paperwork - motions, responses, financial disclosures, and hearing transcripts. Temporary orders that were in effect while the divorce was pending are also in the file. All of it becomes part of the permanent court record.
Free Legal Help in Huntsville
If you need help understanding divorce records you've found or you're going through a divorce and can't afford a lawyer, there are free legal resources in Huntsville.
Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program
This group links up folks who can't pay with lawyers who help for free. They do divorce and custody cases. You have to meet income rules to get in.
| Phone | (256) 539-2275 |
|---|---|
| Services | Free legal consultations, limited representation |
Legal Services Alabama - North Region
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income people across north Alabama. Their Huntsville office handles family law including divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders.
| Phone | (256) 536-9645 |
|---|---|
| Statewide Intake | (866) 456-4995 |
| Services | Family law, protective orders, divorce assistance |
Both organizations have income requirements. Call them to find out if you qualify and what kind of help they can provide for your situation.
Huntsville Divorce Certificates
A divorce certificate is different from court records. The certificate is a short document issued by the health department - it just confirms that a divorce happened. It shows the names of both parties, the date, and the county where the divorce was granted. That's it. No details about property, custody, or anything else.
If you just need to prove you're divorced for things like remarriage or changing your name on official documents, a certificate might be all you need. It's quicker and cheaper than getting court records.
Madison County Health Department
The local health department can issue divorce certificates for divorces that happened anywhere in Alabama (not just Madison County).
| Address | 301 Max Luther Drive NW Huntsville, AL 35811 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 539-3711 |
| Fee | $15.00 for certified copy |
Alabama Department of Public Health
You can also get certificates from the state vital records office. They have divorce records from 1950 to present. Order online at alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords or request by mail.
When to get a certificate vs. court records: If you need the actual terms of the divorce (who got what, custody details, support amounts), you need the court records from the Circuit Clerk. If you just need proof that the divorce happened, a certificate will do.
Nearby Cities
Looking for divorce records in other Alabama cities? Each city's divorce records are maintained at the county level. Here are some other major cities in Alabama:
Remember, divorce records are filed in the county where the divorce took place - not necessarily where someone lives now. If you're looking for a specific divorce, you need to know which county had jurisdiction over the case.
Madison County Divorce Records
All Huntsville divorce records are maintained by Madison County. For complete information about how to search, fees, what's available, and other resources, see our full Madison County page.