Find Civil Court Records in Tuscaloosa
Civil court records for Tuscaloosa are kept by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. The city sits in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Over 114,000 people live here. Tuscaloosa County handles all civil case filings, judgments, and court documents for the area. The University of Alabama runs law clinics that give free legal help to those who need it. You can search civil records online through Alacourt or visit the Circuit Clerk in person. This page covers how to get civil court records, what forms you may need, and where to find legal aid.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Where Tuscaloosa Civil Cases Are Filed
Civil court records for Tuscaloosa are filed and kept at the county level. Tuscaloosa County is where you need to go for any civil court matter. The county has one main courthouse that handles all civil cases. There is no city court for civil matters in Tuscaloosa. This means all lawsuits, debt claims, and contract disputes go through the county system. Whether you need to file a new case or look up an old one, the Circuit Clerk is your first stop. The clerk's office keeps records going back many years, so you can search for past judgments and case files.
For full details about Tuscaloosa County civil court records, see our Tuscaloosa County page.
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk is Magaria H. Bobo. This office keeps all civil court records in the county. You can file new civil cases here, get copies of case papers, and ask for certified copies of judgments. The staff can help you find records if you know the party names or case number. They deal with a lot of walk-in traffic, so expect a short wait during busy times. Bring exact cash or a check since some fees apply to copies and filings.
| Clerk Name | Magaria H. Bobo |
|---|---|
| Address | Tuscaloosa County Courthouse 714 Greensboro Avenue, Room 214 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 464-8259 |
| Main Courthouse | (205) 349-3870 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov |
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
The courthouse is on Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. The Circuit Clerk is on the second floor in Room 214. Parking is on nearby streets and in public lots. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. You will need to pass through security at the entrance. Plan to arrive early if you have a deadline to meet. The building can get crowded, and lines form at the clerk window. Metered street parking fills up fast during court hours.
Types of Civil Cases in Tuscaloosa
The Tuscaloosa County courts handle many types of civil matters. Which court hears your case depends on the dollar amount. Cases under $6,000 go to Small Claims. Cases up to $20,000 go to District Court. Anything over $20,000 goes to Circuit Court. Knowing where to file saves time and keeps costs down.
Circuit Court Civil Cases
Circuit Court handles civil cases over $20,000. Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, Circuit Courts have broad power over larger civil matters. Common cases include car crash lawsuits, big contract fights, business disputes, and land issues. The 6th Judicial Circuit serves Tuscaloosa County.
District Court Civil Cases
District Court hears civil cases up to $20,000 as stated in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. These include small contract fights, landlord-tenant issues, damage claims, and debt cases. Most civil cases in Tuscaloosa fall into this group. The District Court moves faster than Circuit Court. Filing fees run lower too. If your case could go to either court, District Court often makes sense for the speed and lower cost.
Small Claims Court
Small Claims is part of District Court. It handles disputes under $6,000. The process is simple and fast. You do not need a lawyer to file. Common cases include deposit disputes, small contract issues, and debt claims. Filing fees are low. Many people use Small Claims for neighbor disputes, unpaid bills, and minor property damage. The court staff can give you the forms you need and explain the steps.
How to Search Civil Court Records
There are three main ways to search for civil court records in Tuscaloosa. Each has its own pros. Online is fastest. In-person gives you the most help. Mail works if you cannot travel.
Online Search Through Alacourt
The fastest way to search is through Alacourt Public Access. This statewide system lets you search court records from all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by party name or case number. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. You need to make an account first. The site works well on phones and computers. Results show up right away once you pay.
In-Person Search at the Courthouse
Visit the Circuit Clerk at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Bring your ID and any case info you have. Staff can help you search and pull case files. You can view papers at the courthouse and ask for copies. Standard copies run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk staff is used to helping people who have never done this before. Just tell them what you need.
Written Requests by Mail
You can send a written request to the Circuit Clerk. Include party names, rough dates, case type, and your return address. Enclose payment by check or money order. Make it out to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. Mail to: Circuit Clerk, 714 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a reply.
Legal Rules for Civil Court Records
Alabama law sets the rules for who can see civil court records. Most civil court records in Tuscaloosa are public. Anyone can ask to see them. The law favors open access. Only a few types of records stay sealed or private.
Public Records Law
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives you the right to look at and copy public records. Courts must read this law broadly. They lean toward letting people see records. The agency has to prove why a record should stay sealed. Copy fees must be fair.
Court Privacy Rules
The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open unless a law or court order says otherwise. There are 91 types of info that may be kept private. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some info about minors.
Statutes of Limitations
If you want to file a civil lawsuit, you must act fast. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. Injury and damage claims have a two-year deadline per Section 6-2-38. Medical malpractice has its own rules under Section 6-5-482. You get two years with a four-year hard cutoff. Miss the deadline and your case is done.
Free Legal Help in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa has some of the best free legal help in Alabama. The University of Alabama runs law clinics that serve the public. If you cannot pay for a lawyer, you have options. Free help is out there for those who look.
University of Alabama Law Clinics
The UA School of Law runs clinics that give free legal help. Law students work under real lawyers to help real clients. The Civil Law Clinic handles housing fights, consumer issues, and other civil matters. Call them at (205) 348-4960. The clinics give around 15,000 hours of free legal help each year.
| Clinic | UA Civil Law Clinic |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 348-4960 |
| Website | law.ua.edu/academics/law-clinics/ |
| Services | Housing, consumer, and civil matters for qualifying clients |
Free Counsel Clinics
Tuscaloosa hosts free counsel clinics at the Courthouse Annex at 2513 7th Street. These run from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. No appointment is needed. You can meet with a volunteer lawyer to ask about your civil case. The lawyer cannot take your case but can give you tips and point you the right way. These clinics fill up fast, so come early.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama helps low-income people across the state. They handle civil matters like housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. You must meet income limits to qualify. Call the Tuscaloosa office at (205) 758-7503 or the statewide line at 1-866-456-4995.
| Organization | Legal Services Alabama - Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 758-7503 |
| Statewide Line | 1-866-456-4995 |
| Services | Free civil legal aid for qualifying low-income families |
Alabama Legal Help
The Alabama Legal Help site offers self-help tools for people handling civil matters alone. You can find court forms, how-to guides, and tips on common legal issues. The site covers eviction defense, small claims, and debt collection. It is free and works on any device.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
If you need to hire a lawyer but do not know where to start, the Alabama State Bar can help. Their referral service matches you with a lawyer near you. Call 1-800-392-5660 weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes.
Federal Court in Tuscaloosa
Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. Tuscaloosa falls in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Federal courts handle cases that involve federal law, the Constitution, and disputes between people from different states when more than $75,000 is at stake. If you are not sure which court is right, ask a lawyer.
Federal court records are on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). It costs $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. The closest federal courthouse to Tuscaloosa is in Birmingham.
Related Records in Tuscaloosa
Civil court records often link to other record types. These other sources may help your search. Judgment liens, property records, and business filings can all tie into a civil case.
Judgment Liens
When someone wins a civil judgment, they can file it as a lien against the losing party's property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, judgment liens attach to real property in the county where filed. Check with the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court for lien records. These records show if someone owes money from a past court case.
Property Records
The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court keeps deeds, mortgages, and other property papers. These records help in civil cases about land disputes or when trying to collect on a judgment. You can search property records in person at the Probate Court office.
Business Entity Records
For civil cases with businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State keeps business records. You can look up registered agents, officers, and company status. This helps with service of process or finding parties to a lawsuit. The search is free on the Secretary of State website.
Search Tuscaloosa Civil Records
Use our search tool to find civil court records from Tuscaloosa County and other Alabama counties.
Nearby Cities
Civil court records for residents of these nearby cities are also filed at their respective county courthouses.
Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County. All civil court records for the city are maintained at the county level. For more information about county offices and how to access records, visit the Tuscaloosa County page.