Alabama Court Locations and Records
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Family cases in Alabama are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce, custody, and support are filed in the Circuit Court. Alabama's 67 counties are grouped into numbered judicial circuits; each circuit covers one or more counties.
The clerk's office is a different thing from the court itself. The clerk accepts filings, keeps the record, and collects fees, while judges and hearings belong to the court. For a filing question, the clerk is the right first call. The official Alabama directory and case record search are below.
Official Alabama court locators
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Alabama county courts and clerks map (Alabama judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.alacourt.gov/JudicialCircuits.aspx
Alacourt Public Access (Alabama courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as paid and the system is organized statewide. https://pa.alacourt.com/
Alabama state courts website (Alabama judicial branch): The official home of the Alabama court system, with statewide rules, news, and links to every court. https://www.alacourt.gov
AlaFile (Alabama Administrative Office of Courts): AlaFile is Alabama's statewide e-filing system and it is up and running. You can register for a free account and file online, or file on paper with your circuit clerk if you prefer. https://alafile.alacourt.gov/
Alabama court self-help resources (Alabama courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Alabama family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org
Alacourt Public Access: Paid account required (no free public search). No free public case index - even a basic search is paid. Juvenile and sealed cases are restricted. https://pa.alacourt.com/
Go to pa.alacourt.com
Choose pay-as-you-go ("Just One Look") or a subscription
Register an account with your email
Add payment info to run searches (~$9.99 per search)
Official link data for Alabama was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Which court hears family cases in Alabama?
Family cases in Alabama are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce, custody, and support are filed in the Circuit Court. Alabama's 67 counties are grouped into numbered judicial circuits; each circuit covers one or more counties.
Can I look up an existing Alabama case online?
Alacourt Public Access is the official search. Paid account required (no free public search). No free public case index - even a basic search is paid. Juvenile and sealed cases are restricted.
Is the clerk the same as the court?
No. The clerk of court accepts filings, keeps records, and collects fees. Judges and hearings belong to the court itself. For filing questions, start with the clerk's office.