Search Birmingham Court Docket

Court docket records for Birmingham go through the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Birmingham sits in the 10th Judicial Circuit. It's the largest circuit in the state, with 27 judges. Jefferson County sees a lot of cases each year. That makes sense since it's the most populous county in Alabama. Records cover civil suits, criminal cases, family law, and traffic matters. The Circuit Clerk keeps these files at the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. Most records are also on the statewide Alacourt ACCESS database.

County Filing Information

Birmingham is the county seat of Jefferson County. All court filings for Birmingham residents go through the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. The county runs two court divisions: Birmingham and Bessemer. Most Birmingham folks fall under the Birmingham Division. But if you live in western Birmingham, you might be served by Bessemer depending on your exact spot.

The Jefferson County Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil suits over $10,000, divorce and custody, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts. District Court takes care of misdemeanors, civil matters under $10,000, and small claims. Both courts feed into the same docket system. The Circuit Clerk keeps it all.

To file a case or search for records, you can go to the Jefferson County Courthouse or use Alacourt ACCESS online. Not sure which division handles your matter? The Circuit Clerk's office can help. Staff can answer questions about how to file and point you to the right courtroom or office.

Courthouse Information

The Jefferson County Courthouse is where you go for docket searches and case filings in Birmingham. The Circuit Clerk's office is on the fourth floor.

Additional Contact Numbers

Jefferson County has separate phone lines for different kinds of questions:

• Family Court: (205) 325-5444
• Adult Docket: (205) 325-5803
• Juvenile Docket: (205) 325-5444

Family Court Location

Family law matters are handled at a separate building:

Address: 120 2nd Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204

How to Search Birmingham Court Dockets

Online Search

The easiest way to search is through Alacourt ACCESS. It's the statewide court records database. This system has trial court records from all 67 Alabama counties, including Jefferson. You can search by name or case number. It's pay-per-search, and fees show up before you pay.

Jefferson County also has the LANDMARK WEB system for property and marriage records through Probate Court. It's separate from the Circuit Court docket, but it might help if you need related records.

In-Person Search

Going to the courthouse lets you search records without the online per-search fees. The Circuit Clerk's office has public terminals where you can browse the docket. Staff can help you find specific cases. Bring ID and have as much info as you can: party names, rough dates, or case numbers if you know them.

Written Requests

You can send a written request for court records to the Circuit Clerk. Include full names of all parties, rough filing dates, and the type of case if you know it. You'll likely need to prepay for search and copy fees. Expect two to four weeks for processing. Send requests to the courthouse address listed above.

Fees and Costs

Jefferson County charges standard fees for court record services. State law sets these fees. They apply to most record requests.

Fees can vary based on the type of document and whether you need certification. Alacourt ACCESS shows exact fees before you finish each search. At the courthouse, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. Some transactions accept credit cards.

Legal Aid Resources

Birmingham has several groups that give free or low-cost legal help to those who qualify. These programs cover civil matters like family law, housing, and consumer issues.

Legal Services Alabama - Birmingham Office

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income residents across the state. The Birmingham office serves Jefferson County and nearby areas.

• Phone: (866) 456-4995
• Website: legalservicesalabama.org
• Eligibility: Household income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines

Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham (VLB)

VLB links low-income Jefferson County residents with volunteer lawyers who give free legal help.

• Phone: (205) 250-5198
• Website: vlbham.org
• Cases Handled: Evictions, collections, divorce, child support, visitation, other civil matters
• Note: Does not handle criminal cases

Legal Aid Society of Birmingham

This group gives legal help mainly through court appointments.

• Website: legalaidbirmingham.com
• Note: Only accepts cases by court appointment

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

If you don't qualify for free legal aid but need help finding a lawyer, the State Bar runs a referral service.

• Phone: 1-800-392-5660
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Initial Consultation: Maximum $50 for 30 minutes

Legal Framework for Court Record Access

State law and court rules govern access to court records in Alabama. Knowing these rules helps you understand what records are out there and what restrictions might apply.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40

This statute gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records, including court records. A 2024 amendment now requires proof of Alabama residency for records requests. You can show an Alabama driver license, state ID, or voter registration. The law leans toward disclosure. When there's doubt about whether a record should be released, the default is to allow access.

Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality

These rules took effect January 1, 2025. They set up 96 categories of information tagged as privileged or confidential. Protected info includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, names of minor crime victims, domestic violence victim addresses, and trade secrets. Courts can redact this info from public documents or seal entire records when needed to protect privacy.

Sealed Records

Some records are not open to the public. These include juvenile court records (confidential under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133), sealed criminal records, adoption records, and cases sealed by court order. Records get sealed when they involve trade secrets, national security, potential harassment, or sensitive family matters.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 covers expungement of criminal records. Dismissed charges, acquittals, certain misdemeanors after a waiting period, and some non-violent felonies may qualify for expungement. Once expunged, records are no longer open to the public.

Nearby Major Cities

Court records for residents in other Alabama cities are kept by their county Circuit Clerks. If you need records from another area, these pages may help.

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Use our search tool to find court docket info from Birmingham and across Alabama.

Official Resources