Montgomery Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Montgomery residents are kept at the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk office. You can find this office in the Phelps-Price Justice Center. Montgomery is the state capital. It is also the seat of Montgomery County. The city sits in the 15th Judicial Circuit. This court handles civil disputes, family law matters, and appeals from district court. Civil cases filed here include breach of contract claims, car crash lawsuits, land disputes, and debt collection actions. The Circuit Clerk keeps all filings, orders, and judgments from these cases. You can search records online through the Alacourt Public Access portal. You can also request them in person at the courthouse.

Montgomery County Handles Civil Filings

Civil lawsuits for Montgomery residents are filed with the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. The county court system handles all civil cases. It does not matter where you live in the city. If you need to file a lawsuit, the county office is where you go. Same thing if you want to check records on an existing case or get copies of court documents. There is no city court for civil matters. The county runs it all. This setup is common in Alabama, where counties handle most court functions. Montgomery County has one of the busiest courts in the state due to its large population and role as the state capital.

Montgomery County is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. This circuit serves only Montgomery County. All civil matters for the city and nearby areas go through the same courthouse. The court has four main divisions. One handles civil cases. One handles criminal matters. Another deals with family law. The last one is for juvenile cases.

Phelps-Price Justice Center

The main courthouse for civil matters is the Phelps-Price Justice Center. It sits in downtown Montgomery near the state capitol. This is where you find the Circuit Clerk office. You can search civil case records here. You can file new lawsuits here. You can also request copies of court documents. The building has parking nearby but it fills up fast on busy court days. Plan to arrive early if you have a morning hearing or need to file papers before a deadline.

Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Gina Jobe Ishman runs the office. Her staff keeps all civil court records for the county. They can help you search for cases. They can pull documents for you. They can also process requests for certified copies. If you know the case number, call and they may give you basic info over the phone. For more detailed searches or certified copies, plan to visit in person. You can also use the online system from home. The staff is used to helping people who are new to the court process, so do not hesitate to ask questions when you visit.

How to Search Civil Records Online

The fastest way to find Montgomery civil court records is through Alacourt Public Access. This statewide portal lets you search by name or case number. You need to create an account first. Then you pay a fee to view case details.

The Montgomery County court website at montgomery.alacourt.gov has local court info and links to Alacourt. You can find court calendars there. You can see which judge is on which case. There is also general info about how to file papers. The site is useful for looking up hearing dates and times before you make a trip to the courthouse.

Steps to Search Online

To search Montgomery civil records through Alacourt, go to pa.alacourt.com first. Register for an account if you do not have one. Once logged in, select Montgomery County from the list. Type in the name of someone in the case. You can also use the case number if you have it. Results will show basic case info. To see full details and documents, you pay the lookup fee. District court cases cost $19.99 per search. Circuit court cases cost $29.99 per search.

What Information You Can Find

Online civil court records show the names of all parties. You see the type of case and when it was filed. There is a list of all documents in the case file. You can view motions, orders, and judgments. Some older cases have limited info online. For those, you may need to request records in person or by mail. Cases from before 2000 often have less digital data. The court is still working to scan older records into the system.

Types of Civil Cases Filed in Montgomery

Montgomery courts handle thousands of civil cases each year. The type of case and the amount of money at stake decide which court hears it. Cases over $20,000 go to Circuit Court. Smaller disputes go to District Court or Small Claims Court. Knowing the right court matters because each has its own rules and fees. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case or cause it to be tossed out.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit Court hears civil cases where more than $20,000 is at stake. Common types include injury claims from car crashes. You also see medical malpractice lawsuits here. Big contract disputes between businesses end up in Circuit Court. So do real estate fights. These cases often involve discovery and depositions. They can take months or years to wrap up. Circuit Court also hears appeals from District Court civil judgments.

District Court Civil Cases

District Court handles civil disputes where the amount is between $6,000 and $20,000. Landlord-tenant fights often end up here. So do consumer complaints and smaller contract issues. The process moves faster than Circuit Court. The rules are less formal too. Most District Court civil cases wrap up within a few months of filing.

Small Claims Court

For disputes under $6,000, Small Claims Court is best. It is simpler and cheaper. You do not need a lawyer. The paperwork is light. Common small claims cases in Montgomery include fights over security deposits and unpaid debts. Minor property damage and service disputes also end up here. Cases are usually heard within weeks of filing. The filing fee is lower than other courts too. Many people handle small claims cases on their own without any legal training.

Alabama Laws on Civil Court Records

Alabama law governs how civil court records are made, kept, and viewed. Several statutes matter if you want to search or get civil court records in Montgomery. Knowing these laws helps you understand your rights. It also helps if someone tells you that you cannot see a record.

Public Records Access

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Court records are usually public. They can be sealed by a specific law or court order. The law favors public access. If someone says you cannot see a record, they must prove why.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit Court jurisdiction over civil cases comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. This statute gives Circuit Courts general jurisdiction over cases exceeding $20,000 and exclusive jurisdiction over equity matters like injunctions and specific performance. District Court civil jurisdiction is established by Alabama Code Section 12-12-30, covering cases up to $20,000.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. You also have six years for property damage claims. Personal injury claims must be filed within two years per Section 6-2-38. Miss these deadlines and the court will toss your case.

Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment in Montgomery, that judgment can become a lien on the debtor's real property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, the judgment creditor must record the judgment with the Probate Court. The lien then attaches to any real estate the debtor owns in that county. This becomes part of the property records and will show up in title searches.

Free Legal Help in Montgomery

Montgomery is home to several groups that give free or low-cost legal help. As the state capital, the city has more legal resources than most Alabama towns. If you cannot afford a lawyer for your civil case, these groups may be able to help. They have income limits to qualify. But if you are low-income and have a civil case, it is worth calling to see if they can take your case or at least give you some advice.

Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program links qualifying residents with attorneys who work for free. The program handles family law matters, consumer issues, housing disputes, and other civil cases. They cannot help with criminal matters. They also will not take cases where you might collect a large judgment. Call (334) 265-0222 to see if you qualify.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama operates a regional office in Montgomery that serves several surrounding counties. They focus on housing issues, family law, public benefits, and consumer protection matters. Income guidelines apply. The statewide intake number is 1-866-456-4995. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has information on services and how to apply.

Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Alabama State Bar runs a statewide program that matches low-income residents with volunteer attorneys. Call (334) 269-1515 to learn about eligibility and the types of cases they handle. The Bar also operates a lawyer referral service for those who can pay but need help finding an attorney.

Alabama Access to Justice Commission

The Alabama Access to Justice Commission is based in Montgomery and works to improve legal services for low-income Alabamians. While they do not represent people directly, they support the organizations that do and maintain resources to help people find legal help. Their website links to various legal aid providers across the state.

Federal Court in Montgomery

Some civil cases belong in federal court. Not state court. Federal courts handle cases involving federal laws. They also take disputes between citizens of different states when more than $75,000 is at stake. Cases against the federal government go here too. Montgomery has a federal courthouse for the Middle District of Alabama.

U.S. District Court - Middle District of Alabama

The Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse is the main courthouse for the Middle District. This district covers 35 counties in central and southeast Alabama. Federal civil cases filed here include civil rights lawsuits and job discrimination claims. Federal contract disputes and bankruptcy matters are also heard here.

Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Unlike state court records, federal cases cost $0.10 per page to view online. Many federal court documents are also available through the court's CM/ECF electronic filing system.

Middle District Divisions

The Middle District has four divisions: Northern (Montgomery), Southern (Dothan), Eastern (Opelika), and a special division for Selma. Montgomery cases are heard at the main courthouse in the Northern Division. Knowing which division handles your case helps when searching records or planning to attend hearings.

Filing a Civil Case in Montgomery

If you need to file a civil lawsuit in Montgomery, you go through the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. The process differs based on how big your claim is and what type of case it is. Filing fees vary by court. So do the rules for how the case moves forward. It helps to know which court your case belongs in before you start filling out forms.

Determine Which Court

First, figure out which court has power over your dispute. Claims under $6,000 can go to Small Claims Court. Claims between $6,000 and $20,000 belong in District Court. Claims over $20,000 must be filed in Circuit Court. If you need the court to order someone to do or stop doing something, you need Circuit Court. The dollar amount does not matter for those cases.

Prepare Your Documents

You need a complaint that explains your case. State what you want the court to order. Include the names and addresses of everyone you are suing. Attach any contracts, photos, or other proof that backs up your claims. Make copies of everything. You need one for the court. You need one for each person you are suing. Keep one for yourself.

File at the Courthouse

Take your documents to the Circuit Clerk office at the Phelps-Price Justice Center. Staff will review your paperwork, collect the filing fee, and assign a case number. They will stamp your copies as filed. After filing, you are responsible for having the defendants properly served with copies of your lawsuit.

Self-Help Resources

If you plan to handle your case without a lawyer, the Alabama Legal Help website at alabamalegalhelp.org provides forms and instructions for common civil matters. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Access to Justice Commission. It includes step-by-step guides for small claims cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and other civil matters.

How to Get Copies of Court Records

You can get copies of Montgomery civil court records several ways. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need them and whether you need certified copies.

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Phelps-Price Justice Center during business hours. Give the staff the case number or the names of the parties. They can search for the case and print copies while you wait. Bring cash or check to pay copy fees. If you need certified copies, ask specifically for certification since regular copies do not carry the court seal.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 251 S Lawrence St, Montgomery, AL 36104. Include the case number if you have it, the names of the parties, the approximate date of filing, and a return address. Include a check or money order for estimated copy fees payable to the Circuit Clerk. The office will mail your copies back within about two weeks.

Online Through Alacourt

The Alacourt system lets you view and download documents from many cases. Create an account, pay the search fee, and you can save or print documents from your computer. Keep in mind that not all documents are available online, especially in older cases. Documents downloaded from Alacourt are not certified copies.

Start Your Record Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records for Montgomery and other Alabama locations.

Montgomery County Records

For more information about court records and other public records in Montgomery County, visit the county page. You will find details on property records, marriage records, and other documents maintained at the county level.

View Montgomery County Records