Alabama Filing and E-Filing

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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.

You can start a new case online, but to e-file into a case that already exists you first call the circuit clerk's office and ask to be linked to your case.

In Alabama, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.

Official Alabama filing resources

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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 official filing information (Alabama judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Alabama and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://efile.alacourt.gov/

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

Alabama family law forms (official index) (Alabama judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Alabama family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://eforms.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

Alabama rules of procedure (Alabama judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Alabama. https://judicial.alabama.gov/library/rules

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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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

Can I file my own family papers online in Alabama?

In Alabama, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. You can start a new case online, but to e-file into a case that already exists you first call the circuit clerk's office and ask to be linked to your case.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Alabama?

Filing fees vary by county; typically $250-$350 for divorce. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

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.