Dallas County Court Records

Dallas County court records are judicial documents about a legal proceeding within the Dallas County judicial system. These records encompass case records and administrative records. Case records typically feature information about the case, the names of the persons involved, and docket information where applicable. On the other hand, administrative records primarily relate to the court's administrative functions, including the non-legal activities and judicial personnel.

Are Court Records Public in Dallas County?

Yes. The Alabama Public Records Act provides that court records are generally public record available to the public to view, inspect, and make copies. Rule 30 of the Alabama Rules for Judicial Administration also permits access to most court records in Dallas County. Every Dallas County court clerk is required by law to make court record searches available to citizens. There are exemptions to the rules on access to court records in Alabama. Per the state public records law, certain Dallas County court records are exempt from public disclosure. Court records can also be made confidential by a court order. Some categories of court records that are non-public records include:

• Personal information of jurors
• Court records of child abuse and neglect
• Court records that provide information on an ongoing criminal investigation
• Court records that show the personal information of a sexually abused persons
• Dallas County arrest records of minors.

Dallas County Court Records Search

Inquirers typically have the following options to perform a Dallas County court records search:

• In-person requests at the Dallas County court clerk's office.
• Using Public access computer stations in the lobby of any Dallas County courthouse.
• Third-party websites.

Dallas County Courts

Dallas County's court system comprises four courts, each with unique duties and responsibilities. They include the Dallas County District Court, the Dallas County Circuit Court, the Dallas County Municipal Court, and the Dallas County Probate Court. The Dallas Circuit Court is the county's largest court. Dallas County Circuit Courts are the general jurisdiction trial courts. This court has original jurisdiction over all criminal prosecutions involving felonies, family court cases, and civil cases involving $10,000.00 or more in dispute. Furthermore, cases appealed from the District Courts, Probate Court, the County's Municipal Courts, and specific administrative and municipal Boards are handled by the Circuit Court.

The physical locations of all courts in Dallas County include:

Dallas County Circuit Court
Dallas County Courthouse
105 Lauderdale St, P.O. Box 327,
Selma, AL 36702
Phone: (334) 874-2523

Dallas County District Court
Dallas County Courthouse
105 Lauderdale St, P.O. Box 327,
Selma, AL 36702
Phone: (334) 874-2523

Dallas County Probate Court
105 Lauderdale St,
P.O. Box 987,
Selma, AL 36702
Phone: (334) 874-2513
Fax: (334) 874-2553

Selma Municipal Court
Public Safety Building
1300 Alabama Ave, Selma, AL 36703
Phone: (334) 874-2135

Dallas County Criminal and Civil Records

Obtaining criminal and civil court records involves contacting the offices responsible for maintaining these legal documents. The primary repository for these records is the Dallas County Circuit Clerk's Office, which is located at the Dallas County Courthouse. The Clerk's Office maintains records for criminal and civil cases filed in the county's circuit and district courts.

In requesting a record, inquirers may be asked to submit a formal records request form. Here, they will be expected to provide as much information as possible about the case, such as the full names of involved parties, case numbers, and approximate filing dates. These details help expedite the search and ensure that accurate records are provided

Additionally, some Dallas County court records may be accessible online through the Alabama Judicial System's online portal, known as Alacourt. While there may be subscription fees or restricted access to certain documents, Alacourt can streamline the process for those unable to visit the courthouse in person.

Dallas County Marriage Records

Dallas County marriage records are available at the Department of Health office and the county court clerk's office where the marriage was registered. The Dallas County Department of Health has a marriage records database dating back to 1936. By Alabama law, Dallas County marriage certificates are public records, and members of the public who can provide enough details about a marriage record and pay the associate charge may access the record.

To request a Dallas County marriage record, individuals can download the records request form, complete it, and submit it to the Department of Health's office. The fee for searching for a marriage certificate is $15.00. Requestors can also mail the completed form and the required fee to the department's office and provide a return address to which the records will be sent.

Dallas County Divorce Records

All divorces initiated in Dallas County are filed with the domestic relations division of the Dallas County Circuit Court. The division creates records of divorces, issues divorce certificates, and maintains a list of divorce decrees issued by the circuit court. Dallas County divorce records are available to interested individuals through the circuit court clerk's office. Divorce records are unrestricted by Alabama law.

Individuals can request Dallas County divorce records in person or through the mail. To submit a mail request, individuals can send a completed request form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a $10.00 money order payable to the Dallas County Circuit Clerk. Copy requests can also be made in person at the county clerk's office using cash or money order.

Dallas County Birth Records

Dallas County birth records can be obtained from the Dallas County Health Department. Birth certificates are protected documents under Alabama law, and their access is limited to 125 years after birth. Only the individual listed on the birth certificate, their immediate relatives, and a legal representative of an authorized person can access the documents.

Individuals can request Dallas County birth records by completing a vital records request form and submitting it to the health department's office. Most Dallas County divorce certificates can be issued while the requestor waits. Identification will be required to obtain a restricted birth certificate. Searching for a divorce certificate costs $15, including one certified record copy. Additional copies of the same record purchased concurrently cost $6.00 each. An extra $15 is charged to expedite a request. The fees are non-refundable; hence, individuals will be issued a "failure to find" if staff cannot locate the records.

Dallas County Death Records

Interested persons can obtain Dallas County death records from the county's Department of Public Health Office. The Dallas County Department of Public Health keeps records of deaths that occur in the county for statistical and other official purposes. The department has a database of death records from 1908 to the present. Dallas County death certificates are confidential records and can only be acquired by a person's close relatives or anybody demonstrating a legitimate reason to do so. Dallas County death records are made public records after 25 years.

Dallas County court records can be requested in person or through mail. The address and phone number of the public health office are as follows:

Dallas County Health Department
100 Samuel O. Moseley Drive
Selma, AL 36701
Phone: (334) 872-5887

Dallas County Probate Court Records

Dallas County Probate Court records can be found at the Dallas County Probate Court office. The probate department of the Dallas County Circuit Court maintains records relating to adoption conservatorships, wills and estate administration, guardianship, and other probate matters. Probate court documents are:

• Confidential records only available to those named on the documents.
• Persons with a tangible legal interest in the records.
• Their attorneys.

Individuals can contact the Dallas County probate court clerk to request access to probate court records in person or through mail. To request records in person, they must complete a request form at the probate court office and present a valid ID to prove their identity. They can also email the probate court clerk at jnunn@dallascounty-al.org.

Dallas County Property Records

Dallas County property records can be obtained at the recorders' and tax assessors' offices. Both offices maintain different types of Dallas County property records. Per state statutes, the Recorders' Office's responsibilities include document creation and recording, particularly in real estate records. The recorder's office maintains Deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, plats, power of attorney, and incorporation. The tax assessor's office maintains property records relating to property tax valuations, property assessments, and property ownership history.

Individuals can request property records in person, through E-mail (recording@dallascounty-al.org), or by US mail from either office. They can also view specific property records remotely using computer stations at the recorder's office.

Dallas County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like alabamacourtrecords.us are a convenient alternative for accessing Dallas County court records online. These sites are independently run platforms that allow remote access to court records, arrest records, criminal records, and other publicly accessible documents. Individuals can search these sites using a case number, the person's name on the record, or the date and time of an event recorded in the document. While most of these sites provide reliable data, it is good practice to check the information from these sites with those from government sources to ensure there are no errors in the records.