Find Civil Court Records in Birmingham
Birmingham civil court records are filed at the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's office in downtown Birmingham. This is the largest city in Alabama. It is also the county seat of Jefferson County. A lot of civil cases get filed here each year. The Jefferson County Courthouse holds the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. This court handles civil cases for Birmingham and nearby towns. You can get civil court records online through Alacourt, in person at the clerk's office, or by mail. Civil records include lawsuits, judgments, liens, and other court filings. These are public records under Alabama law. The Circuit Clerk keeps both active and old cases going back decades.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Where Birmingham Residents File Civil Cases
All civil court cases for Birmingham residents go through Jefferson County. Alabama does not have city-level civil courts for most matters. The Jefferson County Circuit Court handles civil cases over $20,000. District Court takes cases from $6,000 to $20,000. Small claims cases under $6,000 also go through District Court. This setup means you will visit the same building for any civil case, no matter the size. The staff can point you to the right office once you get there. Many people find it helps to call ahead and ask which floor or room they need.
The courthouse sits in the heart of downtown Birmingham. It is easy to get to from most parts of the city. MAX Transit buses stop near the courthouse if you do not have a car. Paid parking is in nearby lots and street meters. Plan to arrive early if you need to find a spot. The meters have time limits so check the signs. Some lots charge a flat rate for all day parking which can save you money if you have a long wait at the clerk's office.
Jefferson County Courthouse
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (205) 325-5300 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all civil court records in Jefferson County. Birmingham folks who need to file a civil lawsuit, look up case info, or get copies of court papers will work with this office. Jackie Anderson-Smith is the current Circuit Clerk. Her staff can help you find what you need. The office gets busy during lunch hours and on Mondays, so try to come at other times if you can. They close for lunch from noon to 1 PM on some days so call first to check.
| Circuit Clerk | Jackie Anderson-Smith |
|---|---|
| Location | Room 420, Jefferson County Courthouse |
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
| Website | jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov |
Services Provided
The Circuit Clerk handles many types of requests. You can file new civil lawsuits here. Staff will help you look up cases by name or case number. Copies of court papers cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more but you need them for some official uses. The office also handles appeals to higher courts.
What You Need to Bring
When you go to the Circuit Clerk's office, bring a photo ID. If you want to look up a case, have as much info as you can. Useful details include full names of the parties, the year the case was filed, and the case type if you know it. Bring cash, check, or money order for fees. Some offices take credit cards. Call ahead to check what they accept.
Online Access to Birmingham Civil Records
The Alacourt Public Access system lets you search Jefferson County civil court records online. This is the same system used for all Alabama trial courts across the state. You need to make an account to search. There is a fee for each case lookup. The fees can add up fast if you search a lot of cases, so have your info ready before you start. Most people find this is the quickest way to get basic case info without a trip to the courthouse.
How to Search Online
Go to pa.alacourt.com and sign up for an account. Pick Jefferson County from the county list. You can search by party name or by case number if you have it. Results show basic case info. To view documents, you must pay a fee. District court lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court lookups cost $29.99.
Jefferson County Law Library
The Jefferson County Law Library is a good resource for Birmingham folks. It is in the courthouse. The law library has legal research books, court forms, and some case lookup help. Staff can point you in the right way but they cannot give legal advice. The library is open to the public during court hours. You can use their computers to search for cases and print forms you need for filing.
Types of Civil Cases Filed in Birmingham
Birmingham folks file many types of civil cases with Jefferson County courts. Knowing which court handles your case helps a lot. Here are the main types of civil matters and where they are heard.
Circuit Court Civil Cases
Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount is over $20,000. Common cases include personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks or slip and falls. You also see big contract disputes between businesses here. Real estate disputes, malpractice claims, and complex business lawsuits go to Circuit Court too. This court also has equity power. That means it can issue injunctions and other relief that is not just about money.
District Court Civil Cases
District Court handles civil cases from $6,000 to $20,000. You will see debt collection suits, smaller contract disputes, property damage claims, and landlord-tenant cases here. District Court is less formal than Circuit Court. Cases move faster. You might get a hearing date in just a few weeks instead of months. The rules are a bit more relaxed which can help if you do not have a lawyer.
Small Claims Court
Small Claims is part of District Court for cases under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple so you do not need a lawyer. Common cases include security deposit fights, minor car damage, unpaid debts, and consumer complaints. Hearings are casual. The rules of evidence are relaxed. Many people handle small claims on their own and get good results.
Alabama Law Governing Civil Court Records
Several Alabama laws affect how civil court records are made, kept, and accessed. Knowing these laws helps you understand your rights when you ask for records. The main statutes cover public access, filing fees, and time limits for lawsuits. Most of these rules are the same across the whole state, not just in Birmingham or Jefferson County.
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives citizens the right to see and copy public records. Civil court records are public unless a judge seals them. The law says agencies must give access in a fair amount of time. You can ask for records in writing or in person. They can charge fair fees for copies.
Court Filing Fees
Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets filing fees for civil cases across the state. Circuit Court fees run from $197 to $297 based on the claim size. District Court fees are $219. Small claims fees range from $35 to $96. Extra fees may apply for some filings. Fee waivers exist for those who cannot pay.
Statutes of Limitations
Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 sets time limits for filing civil suits. Personal injury claims must be filed in two years. Property damage claims also have two years. Written contract claims have six years. These deadlines are strict. Miss the deadline and you lose your right to sue. The court will throw out cases filed too late.
Free Legal Help for Birmingham Residents
Not everyone can pay for a lawyer for civil court matters. Several groups in Birmingham give free or low-cost legal help to those who qualify. Income limits usually apply. Here are the main resources for Birmingham folks. Each group has its own rules for who can get help, so you may need to call more than one to find the right fit for your case.
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham links low-income folks with lawyers who give their time for free. The program handles civil matters like housing, family law, and consumer issues. Call (205) 250-5198 to see if you qualify. They have a screening process based on income and case type.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help across the state. Their Birmingham office serves Jefferson County folks. Call 1-866-456-4995 to apply. They handle housing issues, public benefits, family law, and consumer cases. Income rules apply. They do not take criminal cases or personal injury suits.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. This is not free legal help. But it links you with a lawyer who will do a first meeting for $50 or less. After that, normal fees apply if you hire them. This is good when you need a lawyer but do not know where to start.
Federal Court in Birmingham
Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. Birmingham has the main courthouse for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama. Federal courts handle cases about federal law. They also take cases between people from different states when the amount is over $75,000. Bankruptcy matters go here too.
U.S. District Court - Northern District
| Address | 1729 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 278-1700 |
| Records Access | PACER (online, $0.10/page) |
Federal court records are not in Alacourt. You must use PACER to search federal case info online. PACER costs $0.10 per page viewed. Most federal filings are there. You need to make an account on the PACER site before you can search. The system works for all federal courts across the country, not just the one in Birmingham.
How to Request Birmingham Civil Court Records
There are three main ways to get civil court records for Birmingham cases. Each way has its own pros based on your needs and how fast you need the records.
In Person at the Courthouse
Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at Room 420 in the Jefferson County Courthouse. Bring ID and as much case info as you have. Tell the staff what you need. They can search and pull up case info for you. You can view papers and ask for copies. Standard copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Same-day help is usually there for simple asks.
Online Through Alacourt
The fastest way to get records is through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. Make an account if you do not have one. Search by party name or case number. Pay the fee to view case details and papers. You can print or save from your computer. This works well when you know the case exists and have basic info to search with.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Include the names of the parties, rough filing date, case type, your return address, and a check or money order for fees. Mail to: Circuit Clerk, 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420, Birmingham, AL 35203. Allow 5 to 10 business days. Call first to check current fee amounts.
Start Your Search
Use our search tool to locate civil court records for Birmingham and Jefferson County.
Nearby Major Cities
Birmingham is the only city in the immediate area with a population over 100,000. Smaller nearby cities like Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood also have their civil cases handled through Jefferson County courts at the same courthouse in downtown Birmingham. For civil court matters, residents of these communities follow the same process described above.
Jefferson County Civil Court Records
For complete information about civil court records in Jefferson County, including all courthouse offices and services, visit our county page.