Covington County Court Records

Covington County court records are official records maintained by the county's judicial system. They include court actions, rulings, and legal procedures, and their documentation is vital for maintaining transparency and trust in the county's judicial system.

In Covington County, Alabama, these records are essential for settling conflicts, ensuring that the law is being followed, and supplying proof in court. Court case information typically includes information about verdicts, sentencing, and parties involved. Case summaries, filings, and hearing dates are also featured.

Are Court Records Public in Covington County?

Yes, Covington County court documents are available to the public per Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law gives members of the public the right to view and copy public records unless otherwise prohibited by law. This encourages accountability and transparency in the legal system.

Court documents that are exempt from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile case information
• Details pertaining to ongoing case information
• Sealed documents
• Sensitive personal information
• Case information pertaining to national security

Covington County Court Records Search

To perform a court record search in Covington County, inquirers may:

• Get in touch with the Covington County Clerk of Court office directly
• Utilize Alabama's judicial system online portal
• Send a request via the Alabama Public Records request site
• Use several independent websites or third-party services

Covington County Courts

Alabama's trial court system comprises Circuit Courts, District Courts, Probate Courts, and Municipal Courts. In Covington County, these courts are located at the following addresses:

Covington County Circuit Court
Covington County Courthouse
1-K N Court Square
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428-2520
Fax: (334) 428-2531

Covington County District Court
Covington County Courthouse
1-K N Court Square
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428-2520
Fax: (334) 428-2531

Covington County Probate Court
Covington County Courthouse
1-K N Court Square,
P.O. Box 789
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428-2512
Fax: (334) 428-2535

Andalusia Municipal Court
102 Opp Ave,
P.O. Box 429
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-3311
Fax: (334) 427-7082

Florala Municipal Court
22654 Wall Ave,
P.O. Box 351
Florala, AL 36442
Phone: (334) 858-2791

Gantt Municipal Court
28826 Commerce St,
P.O. Box 8
Gantt, AL 36038
Phone: (334) 388-4786
Fax: (334) 388-4391

Lockhart Municipal Court
Lockhart Town Hall
1548 Chippeway St
Lockhart, AL 36455
Phone: (334) 858-6744

Opp Municipal Court
101 N Main St,
P.O. Box 610
Opp, AL 36467
Phone: (334) 493-1831
Fax: (334) 493-5231

Red Level Municipal Court
Red Level Town Hall
29098 Smiley St,
P.O. Box 236
Red Level, AL 36474
Phone: (334) 469-5351
Fax: (334) 469-9091

River Falls Municipal Court
24681 Firehouse Rd,
P.O. Box 17
River Falls, AL 36476
Phone: (334) 222-3510

Covington County Criminal and Civil Court Records

As the curator of court records, the Clerk of Court in Covington County is responsible for maintaining and disseminating criminal and civil court documents. Civil court records contain cases pertaining to contracts, property disputes, family law, and personal injury, whereas criminal court records describe offenses, charges, and court processes. These cases fall under the jurisdiction of the county's Circuit and District courts.

Interested parties can place online, postal, or in-person orders to view these records.

For in-person orders, inquirers may visit the courthouse and query the court clerk's office in person. Inquirers may also search for court dockets online using the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court serving Convington's "On Demand" web page. The Alabama Judicial System offers an online tool called "AlaFile, " which enables users to submit and obtain service copies of court papers electronically.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) provides comprehensive criminal history checks as the custodian and the authorized agency for dispensing criminal history information in Alabama. Inquirers may query the ALEA to obtain their complete criminal history by requesting a background check from the agency. Public record background checks may be completed online through the "Alabama Background Check (ABC)" portal or by completing an online request form. ALEA is permitted by state law to charge fair fees for handling requests for public records. A non-refundable minimum processing charge of $20 is required when submitting this form. However, processing time-intensive requests may incur additional costs. Interested person may complete and submit the background check forms to:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
ATTN: Background Checks
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511

Covington County Marriage Records

In Covington County, Alabama, marriage records serve as a record of legally recognized unions and usually contain the names of the spouses, the date, the place, and the officiant's information. The Covington County Probate Court, is responsible for maintaining these documents and making them accessible to interested and eligible persons via the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).

Inquirers may request access to birth records in person or by letter at the probate court office. The Probate Court charges $75.50 for adults and $78.50 for minors to receive a marriage certificate; minors must also provide supplementary documentation. These costs cover the marriage certificate's recording and certification. The type of request and other services would determine the cost of getting copies.

Interested parties can order marriage certificates from ADPH online, in person at any county health department office, or by mailing a completed request form to:

Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625

A $15 fee includes one certified marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find". Extra copies cost $6 each, expedited requests $15. Payments may be made via check or money order.

Covington County Divorce Records

Covington County divorce records pertain to the official dissolution of marriages within county limits. These documents usually contain the names of the parties, the divorce date and county, and pertinent case information. For divorces filed after 1950, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is the principal custodian; for earlier divorces, the Covington County Circuit Court is the repository point.

In Alabama, divorce records are accessible to the public and can be obtained online, by mail, or in person. A search costs $15 and comes with a "Certificate of Failure to Find" or one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 a piece, while expedited requests incur a $15 fee. Requests may be handled locally at the Covington County Health Department in Andalusia or addressed to the ADPH at their Montgomery headquarters.

Covington County Birth Records

Covington County birth records record information regarding a person's birth, including their name, birth date, location, and parent(s). The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) keeps these records up to date and makes them available to eligible persons for genealogy research, passport applications, legal identity, and school enrollment.

To safeguard personal data, Alabama law restricts access to birth records to those who are eligible. They are only accessible to the person, their close relatives, or their legal counsel and are not available for public observation.

Interested parties can request copies in person, by mail, or online through the ADPH by completing the application form and paying $15 for a single certified copy and $6 for multiple copies ordered simultaneously. The contact information from the first two sections is the same.

Covington County Death Records

In Covington County, Alabama, death records detail information such as the deceased's name, the time and location of death, and the reason for death. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) keeps this data up to date, which is crucial for financial, genealogical, and legal reasons, including death insurance and estate settlement.

Alabama law limits access to preserve the privacy of the deceased and avoid abuse. Only legal representatives, family members, and those with a legitimate interest are permitted.

ADPH offers death certificates in person, via mail, or online. Interested parties can complete the request form and submit it to the Health Department. A certified copy costs $15, and further copies cost $6.

Covington County Probate Records

Covington County probate court documents cover Wills, estates, guardianships, adoptions, name changes, and conservatorships. They are held by the Covington County Probate Court and are essential for recording court rulings on guardianship appointments, wealth distribution, and other private issues.

Interested parties can obtain records by contacting the probate court in person, by mail, or by viewing the records online using the "AlaFile" Judiciary search portal.

Covington County Property Records

Covington County property records offer information on past transactions, tax assessments, land ownership, and property values. The Covington County Revenue Commissioner and the Probate Office are in charge of keeping these documents, which include deeds, mortgages, property maps, and appraisal data.

Property records can be seen in person at the Covington County Courthouse or online using the county's GIS platform, which provides mapping instruments and parcel data. Requests can be sent to the Mapping and Appraisal Department in person at 220 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia, AL, or online at Covington GIS.

The type and format of the request determine the cost of obtaining the documents; there are costs for both online and printed copies.

Covington County Court Records Online

Covington County court records may also be accessed through third-party websites such as Alabamacourtrecords.us. These aggregate sites expedite the record search process by providing remote access to public records. However, there are drawbacks to using these databases. Inquirers may find the information featured on aggregate sites to be out of date or containing inaccurate data. Also, comprehensive searches typically require the payment of a fee. Consequently, record seekers are advised to confirm the validity of the information retrieved from them.