Crenshaw County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Crenshaw County are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at the Crenshaw County Courthouse in Luverne. The county is part of Alabama's 2nd Judicial Circuit and has a population of approximately 13,194 residents. All divorce petitions, final decrees, property settlements, and custody orders filed in Crenshaw County are kept at the clerk's office. You can search for divorce case information online through Alacourt ACCESS or request records in person at the courthouse. The clerk handles requests for certified copies of divorce decrees which are often needed for remarriage, name changes, or legal proceedings.
Crenshaw County Quick Facts
Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce filings for Crenshaw County. This is where you can request copies of divorce decrees, case files, and any documents from divorce proceedings. The clerk maintains records of all domestic relations cases including divorces, custody modifications, and support orders.
| Office | Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Crenshaw County Courthouse Luverne, AL |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | Alacourt ACCESS (Online Records) |
How to Search Crenshaw County Divorce Records
Online Search
You can search Crenshaw County divorce case information through Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com. The statewide system costs $9.99 per name or case number search. You'll see basic case information including parties' names, case type, filing date, and disposition. Document images are available for an additional fee of $5 for the first 20 pages. This is the fastest way to find case numbers and verify that divorce records exist before requesting certified copies.
In-Person Request
Visit the Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk's office at the courthouse in Luverne during regular business hours. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce if you don't have the case number. Staff can search their records and provide copies while you wait for recent cases. Older records that have been archived may take longer to retrieve and may require additional fees.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk with the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for the search and copy fees. The clerk's office will process your request and either mail the documents or contact you if additional fees are needed. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing mail requests.
Fees
Crenshaw County charges fees for divorce record searches and copies. Search fees typically range from $10-25 depending on the complexity of the search. Copy fees are usually $1-5 per page for regular copies. Certified copies, which are needed for legal purposes like remarriage or name changes, cost more. Contact the clerk's office directly for current fee schedules as they may change.
What's in Crenshaw County Divorce Records
The Crenshaw County Circuit Court maintains complete files for all divorce cases. Here's what you can find in these records:
Divorce Decrees
The divorce decree is the final judgment signed by the judge that officially ends the marriage. This document contains the court's orders on property division, spousal support (alimony), and child custody if applicable. A certified copy of the decree is needed to prove you're divorced for purposes like getting remarried or changing your name on official documents.
Property Settlement Agreements
Most divorce files include documents showing how the couple divided their property and debts. This covers real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal property. The settlement may also address who is responsible for paying off debts like mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. These details are either part of the final decree or in a separate marital settlement agreement.
Custody and Child Support Orders
If the divorce involved minor children, the file contains custody arrangements and child support calculations. This includes the parenting schedule, decision-making authority for education and healthcare, and the amount of support one parent pays to the other. These orders can be modified after the divorce, so the file may contain multiple versions over time.
Complete Case File
The full case file includes everything filed during the divorce: the original complaint or petition, the summons served on the other spouse, any response or answer filed, financial disclosure statements, discovery documents, motions filed by either party, temporary orders, and the final decree. Some files are quite thick depending on how contested the divorce was and how long the case took to resolve.
Free Legal Help in Crenshaw County
If you need help understanding divorce records or have questions about filing for divorce in Crenshaw County, free legal assistance may be available.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income Alabama residents. They can help with divorce cases, custody issues, and understanding court records. Their services are available statewide including Crenshaw County.
Phone: 1-866-456-4995 (statewide hotline)
Spanish: 1-888-835-3505
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a local attorney. The initial consultation fee is capped at $50 for the first 30 minutes. They can refer you to family law attorneys in or near Crenshaw County.
Phone: (800) 392-5660
Alabama Legal Help
The Alabama Legal Help website at alabamalegalhelp.org provides free legal information and resources for people who cannot afford an attorney. The site includes guides on divorce, custody, and how to access court records.
Crenshaw County Divorce Certificates
If you just need to verify that a divorce occurred, you may be able to get a divorce certificate instead of the full decree. Divorce certificates are simpler documents that show the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the county where it was granted. They do not include details about property division, custody, or support.
Where to Get Certificates
Alabama divorce certificates from 1950 to present are available from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery or from any county health department in the state. The fee is $15 for a search that includes one certified copy. You can request by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek (with additional fees).
What You Need
To request a divorce certificate, you need the full names of both spouses (including maiden names if applicable), the date of the divorce or at least the year, and the county where the divorce was granted. If you're not sure which county, you can request a statewide search.
Cities in Crenshaw County
Divorce records for all cities and towns in Crenshaw County are handled by the Crenshaw County Circuit Court Clerk at the courthouse in Luverne. Alabama cities do not maintain their own divorce records - all divorces are filed at the county level regardless of which city the parties live in.
Major communities in Crenshaw County include Luverne (the county seat) and surrounding areas. Residents from anywhere in the county file their divorces with the same Circuit Court Clerk.
Nearby Counties
Looking for divorce records from a neighboring county? Crenshaw County borders several other Alabama counties. Each county has its own Circuit Court Clerk who handles divorce records for that county.