Montgomery County Court Records

Rule 30 of the Alabama Rules Of Judicial Administration defines a "court record" as the content of a court file recorded by the clerk's office or alternative custodians designated by statute to hold temporary or permanent custody of such records. These records typically contain information regarding civil, criminal, or probate cases adjudicated within the country’s judicial system.

In Montgomery, court records are collected, created, and reproduced in different formats during case filing, court hearings, trials, judgment issuance, and other legal actions. Recognized formats include paper, microfilms, electronic transmittal, video and audio recordings, photocopy, and electronic printing.

Typical content of court records includes petitions, transcripts of hearings, warrants, summons, complaints, progress dockets, calendars, documentary exhibits, verdicts, registers of action, judgments, and other information within a county case management system.

Montgomery County court records serve a couple of legal purposes. Chief among them is the motivation of public participation in legal affairs, thus promoting transparency in the county judicial process. Moreover, the permanent archive of case proceedings, like verdicts, and witness testimonies aids the establishment of legal precedent. Finally, legal representatives and judges can make informed rulings through past judgments, thus fostering a uniform exercise of the law.

While Montgomery County court records are restricted to the county's jurisdiction, residents and citizens may access them as part of the Alabama court records family.

Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?

Yes. According to the Alabama Open Records Law, Montgomery County court records are considered public records (Sections 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975). Per this policy, members of the society may submit a request to access court case records, provided they are not withdrawn from public disclosure by state law, or local ordinance and rules.

However, some court records like juvenile and sealed court records are not subject to general consumption. Generally, these records are withdrawn if the need for privacy far outweighs the public interest. Examples of confidential records include:

• Personal identifying information of case participants, like address, contact information, and social security number
• Witness testimony
• Contents of confidential law enforcement investigation files including reports, and photographs
• Adoption records
• Unexecuted warrants
• Sensitive trade secrets information
• Records containing photographs of domestic violence
• Records whose disclosure may jeopardize a person’s security or administration of justice
• Personal medical information

Montgomery County Court Records Search

A Montgomery County court records search is an official inquiry made to the local court custodian of records to inspect and potentially reproduce copies of legal suits adjudicated within the jurisdiction. Inquirers can explore the following avenues:

• County courthouse in Phelps-Price Justice Center
• Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk’s office
• Alabama State Trial Court Records online database
• Third-party public records search database

Montgomery County Court Records Search by Name

A Montgomery County court records search by name reveals important details of a legal proceeding filed and adjudicated in any local courthouse. This includes the location of the court record, type of charge, issued warrants, verdicts, and a lot more.

To locate court records by name in Montgomery County, individuals must possess at least the first or last name of the case parties, (in this case, the defendant or plaintiff) or the organization name if the involved party is a private business or company. As the chief custodian of all court records, the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk provides access to certified copies of any court record filed in the office.

Otherwise, requesters can explore the Alabama State On-Demand Public Access To Trial Court Records. This secure online database is operated by the state trial court to ensure convenient retrivial of public court records. However, only registered users look up court records with a case name. Name Search costs $9.99 per case.

Montgomery County Courts

Alabama’s courts run as a unified judicial system. Montgomery County is the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court. The count court system operates four distinct offices, namely - the criminal division, civil division, domestic relations, and juvenile division, to handle the diversity of county court affairs under the purview of the Circuit Clerk.

Below is a list of the county courthouse locations:

Circuit Court
Phelps-Price Justice Center
251 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 832-1260

Montgomery County District Court
Montgomery County Courthouse
251 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, AL 36102
Phone: (334) 832-1260

Montgomery County Circuit Court - Juvenile
Montgomery County Youth Facility
1111 Air Base Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36108
Phone: (334) 261-4100

Montgomery Municipal Court
1001 Madison Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 625-2776

Montgomery County Courthouse, Annex II
125 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104

Montgomery County Courthouse, Annex III
101 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 832-1210

Montgomery County Probate Court
Courthouse Annex III
101 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, AL 36101

Montgomery County Superior Court Case Search

There is no “superior court” within the Montgomery County court system. Instead, the county's judicial system maintains ten different divisions including, circuit court, district court, small claims, district civil, circuit civil, district criminal, circuit criminal, domestic relations, child support, traffic, and juvenile court.

Admittedly, just like a “superior court” in most US regions, the circuit court's jurisdiction covers general and appellate authority over legal matters in the county. Further, the Montgomery County Circuit Court is rightly divided into civil and criminal departments.

The Montgomery Circuit Civil Division adjudicates circuit civil cases, for example, money claims where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000, appeals from district civil court, probate court appeals, and administrative appeals. On the other hand, the Montgomery Circuit Criminal Division hears felony cases, and misdemeanor appeals from the City of Montgomery District Court, and the City of Montgomery Municipal Court.

To retrieve records filed and created during any legal proceeding in the Montgomery County Circuit civil or criminal court, inquirers can explore the following locations:

• Visit the physical office of the Circuit Court Clerk to make inquiries during business hours.
• Submit a record search request in writing for certified copies of case records to the clerk’s civil division at:

Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
Civil Division
P.O. Box 1667
Montgomery, AL 36102

• Explore the www.AlacourtAccess.com database. On the website, users can conduct a case name, or case number search to view circuit case records. Each individual record search costs $9.99 per case, while circuit case searches cost $29.99. Additional images attached may cost $5 for the first 20 pages, and 50 cents per page for extra copies. Individuals who wish to follow up on the changing status of cases for a lifetime may subscribe to the case monitoring service.
• Visit Alafile.alacourt.gov web-based portal designed for registered pro se litigants to receive copies of court records electronically.
• Call the Clerk's office at (334) 832-1260. Requests should typically include the party’s name, case number, case type, and additional helpful details to aid the request.

Each request may attract a nominal fee payable through cash or credit cards.

Montgomery County District Court Records

There are three levels of court jurisdiction in Montogomery County and Alabama state in general, namely-courts of limited jurisdiction, courts of appellate jurisdiction, and courts of general jurisdiction. Montgomery County District Court serves as a court of limited jurisdiction.

Per the Alabama Unified Judicial System, this court only hears specific case types in the district civil division or criminal division. At the Montgomery District Civil Court, civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $3,000, but not over $10,000 are filled and tried.

On the other hand, the Montgomery District Criminal Court adjudicates DUI tickets, misdemeanors, and certain felony cases until the grand jury takes over. In addition, this division oversees other legal matters like Conversation Tickets, Revenue Commission tickets, Negotiating a Worthless Negotiable Instrument (NWNI), and Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) violations. Further, this court handles all misdemeanor cases beyond the judicial authority of the City of Montgomery.

To find records generated during legal proceedings in Montgomery County District Court, citizens and residents can query the Clerk of the Circuit Court. As explained earlier, the Alabama judicial system provides electronic means for requesting Montgomery County District Court records. Requesters may also visit the office in person during office hours or fill and submit a record request form.

Yet, the court clerk may charge a nominal fee for record search and reproduction depending on the severity of the demand.

Montgomery County Criminal Records

In Alabama, criminal records are generated and preserved by law enforcement agencies as part of the Montogomery County public records family. Thus, interested persons looking to get Montgomery County criminal records can visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

To perform a criminal record check, applicants must complete the ALEA Application to review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). For identification purposes, individuals must provide the following required information:

• A set of fingerprints
• A copy of a government-issued photo ID (federal or state photo driver's license, valid US citizenship and immigration service file, a valid US passport, valid international passport that meets the following requirements)
• The completed AL CHRI application
• A fee of $25 and $5 for additional copies, payable by cashier’s check or money order in person to

301 South Ripley Street
Adams Avenue side
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 676-7897

Or by mail to

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

To ensure legibility, the ALEA only accepts fingerprints from authorized law enforcement agencies with an FBI-issued Originating Agency Number (ORI). Further, the provided fingerprints must be submitted through an FBI-approved fingerprint card for “Applicants” or an FBI automated fingerprint identification system printout.

Finally, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office may assist requestors with local criminal background checks, mostly for Montgomery County arrest records and warrant information within the county only.

Montgomery County Criminal Court Case Lookup

In Montgomery County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the chief custodian of all court records, including criminal case records. Generally, criminal records are generated during legal proceedings between the state and an alleged suspect reported or caught violating the criminal justice system.

Requesters can contact the clerk of the circuit court’s office in person, or by mail to perform a Montgomery County criminal court case lookup. Further, the Alacourt.gov online database is a convenient approach for anyone to search a criminal court case at a nominal fee.

Get Montgomery County Civil Court Records

As earlier established, the Montgomery County District and Circuit courts maintain separate civil divisions that adjudicate civil matters and non-criminal conflicts within the county. This includes small claims, property damage, personal injury, foreclosure, and breach of contract.

To get Montgomery County civil court records, the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court should be the first point of call. Likewise, people can view and get copies of certified and plain civil records online through any of the Alacourt.gov online portals.

Montgomery County Family Court Records

The Montgomery County Circuit Court oversees the affairs of the family courts. Typically, family court records contain information, and evidentiary materials filed, created, or generated during a family legal proceeding.

Cases overseen by the Montgomery County Family Division include juvenile matters involving minors under the age of 18, child support, adoption, parentage, dissolution of marriage, or paternity annulment.

While family court records are publicly accessible under the Alabama Open Records Law, certain legal proceedings involving juveniles are classified as “confidential”. Therefore, anyone who requires access to confidential matters must obtain a court order from the presiding judge.

Finally, except for confidential records, anyone can inspect and obtain copies of Montgomery County family court records via the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office in person or by mail during business hours. Requesters can also explore the Alacourt.gov online database to access electronic family court records.

Montgomery Dissolution of Marriage Records

To obtain a Montgomery County dissolution of marriage records, requesters can contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. Generally, these records are created during legal proceedings between married parties seeking to dissolve a marital union, either by annulment or divorce.

However, most dissolution of marriage records are not accessible online through the Alacourt.gov system considering the sensitivity of these matters. Involved parties must obtain these records in person during office hours

Montgomery County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Montgomery County, couples may file a divorce to officially end a marital union. Domestic Relations is a division of Circuit Court where divorces are mostly filed. The court recognizes two types of divorce cases peculiar to involved applicants:

• An uncontested divorce is a divorce case between couples who have reached a mutual agreement on the terms of the divorce. Thus, they may not require any judicial intervention to resolve their case.
• On the other hand, a contested divorce is the opposite. In this divorce case, involved parties are unable to reach a unanimous agreement and often require judicial intervention to finalize the matter.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is charged with the administrative authority to preserve divorce records filed and issued in Montgomery County. As explained in the previous section, interested persons can explore any of the retrieval procedures established by the clerk to aid public access to divorce files, including decree of divorce. Applicants can also visit the Alabama Health Vital Records website to obtain divorce certificates.

However, the clerk does not maintain marriage records. To acquire Montgomery County marriage records, such as marriage certificates, applicants can visit the Montgomery County Probate Court during office hours at

101 South Lawrence Street
2nd Floor
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 832-1235

According to Alabama Act 2019-340, applicants must first obtain an Alabama marriage certificate form from the Alabama Center for Vital Statistics. The following steps are familiar:

• Fill out and submit the application and applicable fee via mail to

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

• Individuals may also order certificates online through the approved third-party service provider VitalChek with a debit or credit card.
• Requesters may access the Montgomery Probate Court online portal to order marriage documents.
• Upon completion, requesting parties may notarize the form and submit it to the Montgomery County Probate Court for recording. Notably, residents may request marriage certificates for marriages occurring in Montgomery County dated August 1936.

Further, marriage license applicants must provide the following information to aid license issuance and retrivial:

• A valid state-issued identification card
• Government names of both spouses before the first marriage
• Date of marriage
• County of issuance
• Signature
• Phone number
• The mailing address where the certificate is to be sent

Notably, anyone can obtain marriage certificates in Montgomery Couty provided they pay the applicable fee of $15 to search for marriage certificates. This covers one certified copy of the marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find".

Also, any additional copy of the marriage certificate ordered at the same time may attract a fee of $6 payable by check or money order to the "State Board of Health". Cash payments are unacceptable and fees are non-refundable.

Once the Montgomery Probate Court receives and records the application for the marriage certificate, the marriage is considered legal.

Montgomery Birth and Death Records

The Alabama Department of Public Health is the central repository for requesting vital records in Montgomery County, including birth and death records. These Montgomery County vital records are useful for multiple reasons.

Birth records are crucial documents issued to verify a person's citizenship, identity, age, and ancestry. One may obtain these records for employment, schooling, and driver’s license. Conversely, death records are issued for settling insurance benefits, wills, pensions, and estates.

The Alabama Center for Health Statistics issues birth certificates dated 1908 for people born in Alabama. Statutorily, birth certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 125 years from the birth date.

Hence, only approved persons who share a direct relationship and interest with the subject of record can receive birth records upon payment of the processing fee. This includes

• Subjects of record
• Parents or legal guardian
• Spouse, siblings, and children of the subject of record
• Legal representative or attorney

To obtain a certified copy of the Montgomery County birth certificate from the DPH. Requesting parties can fill out and submit a Birth Certificate Application to the provided mailing address on the application. A birth certificate search costs $15 and $15 for a request expedition. Non-refundable payments are payable in check or money order to "State Board of Health".

Applicants must provide the following information to aid the record search:

• Full name of the subject of record at birth, birth date, and gender,
• County or city of birth
• Hospital of Birth
• Full name of parents before first marriage
• Name of the applicant and signature
• Applicant’s relationship to the subject of record
• The mailing address where the certificate is to be received
• Applicant's daytime phone number

Meanwhile, eligible persons can request a Montgomery death certificate from the DPH by filling out and submitting a Death Certificate Application to the named address on the form in person, or by mail. By statute, death certificates are categorized as non-public records with restricted access for 25 years from the date of death.

Each certified copy of the Death certificate costs $15, and the applicant must provide a valid photo ID to prove that they share a direct relationship or interest with the decedent.

Montgomery County Probate Court Records

In Montgomery, the probate court adjudicates probate cases regarding estate administration, name change, wills, conservatorship, mental health, adoptions, and guardianship. In this case, a probate court record is an official documentation of probate proceedings in a designated court of reputable standing.

To search for Montgomery County Probate Court information and records, inquirers may query the Records and Recording Division at 101 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery during office hours. Finally, the probate court also provides an online Probate Case Record Search for people to obtain probate case information at no cost.

Montgomery County Property Records

Montgomery County Probate Court maintains statutory authority over all probate cases within the county, including wills and estates, and trusts. The following property records are available through the probate court:

• Real property documents like deeds, mortgages, judgments, licenses, and assignments are indexed by the records division from June 1970 to the present.
• Personal Property records, for example, acceptance of guardianships, notary bonds, military discharges, limited partnerships, general partnerships, delegations, and other “miscellaneous” property documents. They are available in our computer system from 1998 to the present.
• UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) records, like liens against real property, and personal property are available in the probate computer system from August 1998 to the present.
• Land records.

Residents and visitors can request probate files in person, or by mail during business hours. Plain copies of probate records cost $1 per page, while certified documents may attract an additional $2 charge.

Also, records available via the records division can be accessed online through the Probate Records Indexes at no charge. Registered users may obtain images of personal and property records through a monthly subscription charge of $10 per month. Further, printed images may attract 25 cents charge per image every month. Anyone who wishes to set up a web account may call (334) 832-2584 or (334) 832-1249.

Finally, the probate court also provides record request forms for inquirers to obtain property records at a nominal processing fee.

Montgomery County Court Records Online

Anyone can visit third-party platforms like Alabamacourtrecords.us to access Montgomery County court records. Most of these websites are non-government-affiliated and independently owned. However, they collate public record information from several government sources, including Montgomery County Courts and law enforcement agencies.

Users can easily retrieve several records besides court records via these third-party aggregate sites, including Montgomery County arrest records and property information. However, record searches may attract a pay-per-search fee or monthly subscription payment plan. Further, people who access these third-party sites for court case information are advised to compare official government-issued records for accuracy and completeness.