Alabama Counties

Alabama has 67 counties. Each one has a Circuit Court Clerk who keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find contact info and courthouse addresses. You'll also find out how to request divorce decrees and case files. The state is split into 41 judicial circuits. Some circuits cover more than one county.

All 67 Alabama Counties

About Alabama County Divorce Records

Each Alabama county has a Circuit Court that handles divorce cases. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps all divorce records. This includes petitions, decrees, property deals, and custody orders. Records are public unless a judge sealed them.

To request records, you need the names of both people. A case number helps a lot. If you don't have one, a rough date works. Most counties charge $10-25 for a search. Copies run $1-5 per page. Some counties let you search online through Alacourt ACCESS. That costs $9.99 per search.

Alabama has 41 judicial circuits. Some circuits serve more than one county. Big counties like Jefferson and Mobile have their own circuits. Small rural counties share with their neighbors. This affects which judges hear cases. But the clerk's office stays the same in each county.

How the County Court System Works

Alabama courts are set up at the county level. Each county has a Circuit Court for big cases. There's also a District Court for small matters. Divorce cases always go to Circuit Court. These involve major issues like property and custody. That's why they need the higher court.

The Circuit Court Clerk is elected. This person runs the court's day-to-day work. They accept new filings. They keep records. They issue certified copies. They collect fees. The clerk's office is usually in the county courthouse. You'll find it in the county seat.

What the Clerk's Office Handles

The clerk's office can help you with a lot. They can search for cases by name if you don't have a case number. They can provide copies of divorce decrees. They have settlement agreements and custody orders too. Really, they can copy any document from the case file. Need a certified copy for legal proof? They do that too. Certified copies cost more but work as official proof of divorce.

Records Retention

Alabama counties keep divorce records forever. That's the good news. But older records may be in storage. Some are on microfilm. Some are in archive rooms. Getting these takes longer. It may cost more too. Really old records from before computers are the hardest. Staff have to search by hand through paper indexes. Be patient with these requests.

Requesting Divorce Records by Mail

Most Alabama county clerks take mail requests. Write a letter with the names of both people. Include maiden names if they apply. Give the date of the divorce. Or at least the year. Add your phone number and mailing address so they can reach you.

Include payment for the fees. Most counties take checks or money orders. Make them out to the Circuit Court Clerk. Don't send cash. If you're not sure of the exact fee, call first. Or include a note asking them to call you with the amount.

Mail requests take 1-2 weeks. Sometimes longer. If the clerk can't find the records, they'll call you. If they need more info, they'll reach out. Some clerks won't start until you pay. So include at least the minimum search fee to be safe.

Online Access Through Alacourt

The state runs Alacourt ACCESS. This is a statewide online system for court records. It covers all 67 counties. Divorce cases are in there too.

You can search by name or case number. Each search costs $9.99. Results show basic case info. You'll see the names, case type, and filing date. Current status shows too. So you can see if a divorce went through and when.

Want the actual documents? That costs extra. The first 20 pages are $5. After that it's 50 cents a page. Not all counties have old documents online. Cases from before the electronic system may not have images. You'd have to contact the clerk for those.

Largest Alabama Counties by Population

The biggest counties handle the most divorce cases. They have more staff. They have more resources. Record requests often go faster in these counties. But they also have longer lines and busier phones. It's a trade-off.