Access Montgomery Court Docket

Court docket records for Montgomery go through the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. Montgomery is both the state capital and the county seat of Montgomery County. It sits in the 15th Judicial Circuit, which covers just this one county. As the state capital, Montgomery is home to the Administrative Office of Courts. That's the group that runs the Alacourt system. The Clerk keeps records for seven courts in the county. You can search most of them on Alacourt ACCESS or in person at the Phelps-Price Justice Center.

County Filing Information

Montgomery is the county seat of Montgomery County. All court filings for Montgomery go through the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. The 15th Judicial Circuit covers just this county. So all circuit court work stays at the main courthouse.

The Montgomery County Circuit Court hears felony cases, civil suits over $10,000, divorce and child custody, juvenile cases, and appeals. District Court takes care of misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, traffic tickets, and small claims. The Clerk keeps records for all seven county courts.

Montgomery has a leg up since the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts sits at 300 Dexter Avenue. That office runs the state court system and the Alacourt database. The Alabama State Bar is here too, at 415 Dexter Avenue. So there are lots of legal resources in town. The Circuit Clerk also runs absentee voting for the county on top of court work.

Courthouse Information

Montgomery County courts run out of the Phelps-Price Justice Center. The Circuit Clerk's office takes all record requests and case filings there.

Courts Served by Circuit Clerk

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk keeps files for these courts:

• Circuit Court (felonies, civil over $10,000, domestic relations)
• District Court (misdemeanors, civil under $10,000, traffic)
• Family Court (divorce, custody, child support)
• Juvenile Court
• Drug Court
• Mental Health Court
• Veterans Court

State Legal Resources in Montgomery

Since Montgomery is the state capital, it has key legal offices:

• Administrative Office of Courts: 300 Dexter Avenue
• Alabama State Bar: 415 Dexter Avenue
• Alabama Supreme Court: 300 Dexter Avenue

How to Search Montgomery Court Dockets

Online Search

The main way to search court records is through Alacourt ACCESS. It's the state's court records database. You can find trial court files from all 67 Alabama counties, Montgomery included. Look up by name or case number. You pay per search, and fees show up before you pay.

The Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal gives you free access to appeal cases. That includes the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals, which all sit in Montgomery.

In-Person Search

Going to the courthouse lets you search records with no online fees. The Clerk's office has public computers where you can look through the docket. Staff will help you find cases and pull files if you need them. Bring your ID and any info you have on the case.

Written Requests

You can mail in a request for court records. Put all party names, rough filing dates, and case type if you know it. You'll likely need to pay up front. Give it two to four weeks. Mail requests to the address up top.

Fees and Costs

Montgomery County has set fees for court record work. State law sets the rates, and they cover most requests.

Fees can change based on the doc type and if you need it certified. At the courthouse, pay with cash, check, or money order. Alacourt ACCESS takes credit cards and shows exact fees before you pay.

Legal Aid Resources

Montgomery has groups that give free or low-cost legal help to those who qualify. Being the state capital means more legal aid here than in other Alabama cities.

Legal Services Alabama - Montgomery Office

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income folks state-wide. Their Montgomery office is on Fairlane Drive.

• Address: 2567 Fairlane Drive, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36116
• Phone: (334) 832-4570
• Statewide: (866) 456-4995
• Spanish: (888) 835-3505
• Website: legalservicesalabama.org
• Cases Handled: Domestic violence divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, housing, public benefits

Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program (MVLP)

MVLP hooks up low-income Montgomery County folks with volunteer lawyers. These attorneys work for free.

• Phone: (334) 265-0222, ext 1
• Website: montgomeryvlp.org
• Cases Handled: Guardianship, child support modification, uncontested divorce, landlord-tenant disputes, bankruptcy
• Eligibility: Income and assets below certain levels
• Note: Does not handle criminal matters or cases for incarcerated individuals

Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program

The State Bar runs a volunteer lawyers program from its Montgomery home base.

• Address: 415 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Phone: (334) 269-1515
• Cases Handled: Bankruptcy, consumer issues, divorce, education matters

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 line.

• 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 set who can see court records. If you know these rules, you'll know what you can get and what's off limits.

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40

This law gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records, court files too. A 2024 change means you must prove you live in Alabama now. Show an Alabama driver license, state ID, or voter card. The law leans toward letting people see records. If there's doubt, courts should let the public in.

Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality

These rules kicked in on January 1, 2025. They list 96 types of info that must stay private. This covers Social Security numbers, bank accounts, medical files, names of child crime victims, abuse victim addresses, and trade secrets. Courts black out this info or seal whole files to keep folks safe.

Sealed Records

Some records are off limits to the public. Juvenile cases stay closed under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Same goes for sealed criminal files, adoption records, and anything a judge sealed. Courts can lock files that touch on trade secrets, national security, stalking risks, or touchy family issues.

Expungement

Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 covers how to wipe criminal records clean. You may be able to expunge dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, some misdemeanors after a wait, and certain non-violent felonies. Once expunged, those records come off public access.

Nearby Major Cities

Each city's court records go through its county's Circuit Clerk. If you need files from somewhere else, check these pages.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find court docket info from Montgomery and the rest of Alabama.

Official Resources