Montgomery County Court Docket
Court docket records in Montgomery County log all cases filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit. As the state capital, Montgomery County sees a lot of cases in civil, crime, and family matters. The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in the county. The office handles records for seven courts. You can search online through Alacourt ACCESS by name or case number. Or go to the courthouse in person during work hours. The clerk's office takes written requests for certified copies. They also pull docs for lawyers, title firms, and the public.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk keeps all court docket records for the 15th Judicial Circuit. This office takes case filings, keeps records, and gives out certified copies. The Circuit Clerk also runs absentee voting for the county. Staff can help find cases, explain how to file, and give copies of court records.
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 5616 Montgomery, AL 36103-5616 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 832-1331 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | montgomery.alacourt.gov |
Physical Location
The Montgomery County Courthouse is in downtown Montgomery. Bring your ID and have case info ready when you visit in person. Parking is in nearby lots and metered spaces on the street.
How to Search Court Docket Records
Online Search via Alacourt ACCESS
The main way to search Montgomery County court dockets is through Alacourt ACCESS. This state database has trial court records from all Alabama counties including Montgomery. Search by name or case number. There is a fee per search, shown before you pay. Subscription plans are there for people who search often.
In-Person Record Search
The public can go to the Circuit Clerk's office to search court dockets in person. In-person searches have no fee per search, but you pay copy fees when you ask for docs. Bring your ID. Have party names, case numbers, or rough filing dates ready.
Written Requests
You can mail written requests for court records to the Circuit Clerk. Put in the full names of all parties, the rough date range, and what records you need. Prepay the fees up front. It takes two to four weeks to process.
Fees for Court Records
Montgomery County uses standard fees for court record services. Pay by cash, check, or money order in person. Credit cards may work for some things.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy fees (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 - $10.00 |
| Search fee (computerized) | $10.00 |
| Search fee (paper records) | $20.00 |
Fees may change. Call the Circuit Clerk's office to check fees before you send a request.
Types of Court Docket Records
Civil Cases
Civil dockets in Montgomery County track fights between parties. This includes injury suits, contract fights, debt cases, property fights, and evictions. Circuit Court hears civil cases over $10,000. District Court takes smaller claims.
Criminal Cases
Criminal dockets record cases where Alabama charges people for crimes. Circuit Court hears felonies. District Court takes misdemeanors. Records include arraignments, first hearings, trials, and sentencing info.
Domestic Relations
Domestic relations dockets cover family law. This means divorce filings, custody cases, child support matters, visitation fights, and protection orders. Circuit Court hears these cases.
Traffic Cases
Traffic tickets are tracked in the docket system. Most traffic cases go to District Court or Municipal Court, based on where the ticket was given.
Legal Framework for Record Access
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 lets Alabama residents look at and copy public records including court dockets. A 2024 change says you must show proof you live in Alabama. A driver license or voter card works.
Court Record Privacy Rules
The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. They list 96 types of private info. This covers Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, names of child crime victims, and abuse victim addresses.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some records are not open to the public. Sealed records, juvenile records, young offender records, and adoption records are blocked by law. A court may seal other records if they have trade secrets, touch on national security, or could cause harm if shared.
Expungement
Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 sets rules for expunging criminal records. Dropped charges, acquittals, and some offenses may qualify after a wait time.
Montgomery County Court Structure
15th Judicial Circuit
Montgomery County is the whole 15th Judicial Circuit. Since it's just one county, all circuit court matters stay in the county. The circuit has Circuit Court and District Court. Both keep dockets through the Circuit Clerk's office.
Circuit Court
Montgomery County Circuit Court hears felonies, civil cases over $10,000, family matters, and appeals from District Court. It also takes juvenile cases through a special division.
District Court
Montgomery County District Court takes misdemeanors, civil cases under $10,000, small claims under $3,000, and first hearings for felonies. Traffic tickets also go through District Court.
Probate Court
The Montgomery County Probate Court is apart from the Circuit Clerk's office. Probate Court handles wills and estates, mental health cases, guardianships, conservatorships, and marriage licenses. Adoption records are at Probate Court but are usually sealed.
Municipal Court
The City of Montgomery runs a Municipal Court. It handles city ordinance tickets and traffic offenses in city limits. Municipal Court records are kept by the city.
Related Record Sources
Federal Courts
Federal cases with Montgomery County residents go to the Middle District of Alabama, based in Montgomery. Federal court records are on the PACER system.
Alabama Appellate Courts
Appeals from Montgomery County courts go to the Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals. Appellate records are free at the Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal.
Criminal Background Checks
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) does criminal background checks. The Alabama Department of Corrections has an online inmate search for people in prison now.
Property Records
Property records like deeds, mortgages, and liens are at the Montgomery County Probate Court. Property tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner's office.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County has the city of Montgomery, which is both the county seat and state capital. Court docket records for all Montgomery County residents are kept by the Circuit Clerk, no matter what city they live in.
Other cities in Montgomery County are Prattville (partly in Autauga County), Pike Road, and Millbrook. People in these cities file court cases through the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Montgomery County. Each keeps its own court docket records through its Circuit Clerk.