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Alabama · How-To Guide

How do I access court records?

Circuit Court Clerk (county level) / Alabama Court Access - Alacourt (statewide online portal)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine what type of record you need: civil, criminal, domestic/family, traffic, or probate
  2. For most trial court records (circuit and district court): search online through Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com - covers all 67 counties in one unified database
  3. Create an account on Alacourt ACCESS (free to create; fees apply per search/case)
  4. Search by person's name or case number; results show case numbers, party names, case type, filing date, status, charges, and outcome
  5. For full case documents or certified copies, contact the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was heard
  6. In-person access: visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the relevant county; bring photo ID and know the names, case numbers, or dates you need
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
  • Case number or full legal name of parties involved (for in-person or written requests)
Fee
Alacourt ACCESS online search: $9.99 per case detail report (first search result included, $9.99 per case thereafter); in-person copy fees vary by county and document type
Processing Time
Immediate online; same day or mail for in-person/written requests
Online Option
Yes - Alacourt ACCESS at pa.alacourt.com (covers civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic cases for all 67 Alabama counties)
Where to Go
Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county where the case was filed (for certified copies and documents not available online)
Alabama Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Alabama runs a unified court system - all county courts feed into one statewide Alacourt database.
  • Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality (effective January 1, 2025) restrict 96 types of information including SSNs, bank account numbers, and names of child crime victims.
  • Juvenile court records are sealed by law under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133 - not accessible without a court order.
  • Expungement: Cases dropped or ending in not guilty may qualify for expungement under Alabama Code Section 15-27-1. Some misdemeanors qualify after a waiting period. Contact an attorney for guidance.
  • Probate court records (wills, estates, guardianships) are handled by the County Probate Court - not in Alacourt. Contact the Probate Court directly.
  • Supreme Court and appellate court records: alacourt.com
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts - alacourt.com | (334) 954-5000