Baldwin County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Baldwin County show lawsuits, judgments, and legal disputes filed through the 28th Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk office in Bay Minette keeps all civil case files. They have records for contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and other civil cases. Baldwin County sits along the Gulf Coast. It is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama. The county handles a lot of civil cases each year due to its large size and growing population. Both the Alacourt system and the local Circuit Clerk office give you access to civil court records. You can look up a pending lawsuit, find a judgment, or get copies of court docs.

Baldwin County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk keeps all civil court records in Baldwin County. Brenda Ganey is the Circuit Clerk. She runs the office that handles all court files. Her staff takes in new civil filings, keeps track of case records, and gives copies of docs to the public. The main office sits in the Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette. You can walk in during business hours to ask for help. The staff knows the system well and can point you in the right direction if you are not sure what you need.

When you visit in person, bring a valid ID. Bring as much case info as you have. The staff can help you search by party name or case number. Some searches take a while if you only have limited details. It helps to know at least one party name. Have a rough idea of when the case was filed too.

What Records Does the Circuit Clerk Maintain?

The Circuit Clerk keeps records for all civil matters heard in Baldwin County Circuit Court and District Court. This includes the first complaint or petition that started the case. It also has answers and motions filed by the parties, court orders from the judge, final judgments, and any appeals. The office also keeps small claims case records from the district court division.

Records are set up by case number. Each case gets its own number when filed. The format tells you the year, case type, and order. For example, CV-2025-900123 would be a civil case filed in 2025. If you know the case number, it is much faster to pull the records you need. Without a case number, you have to search by name, which takes more time and may turn up multiple results you have to sort through.

Online Access to Baldwin County Civil Records

Two main ways exist to search Baldwin County civil court records online. The statewide Alacourt system gives the most full access. The local county portal has some basic search tools too.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com is the main way to search civil court records online. You need to make an account to use it. Once logged in, you can search by party name or case number for any case in Baldwin County. Viewing a district court case costs $19.99. A circuit court case costs $29.99. The system shows case details, party info, and a list of docs filed in the case.

Alacourt is run by the Administrative Office of Courts. It covers all 67 Alabama counties. For people who need to search records in more than one county, this is the best choice. The data gets updated often so you can see new filings. Most cases show up in the system within a day or two of being filed. This makes it a good way to track active litigation.

Baldwin County Online Portal

Baldwin County also gives local access through baldwin.alacourt.gov. This portal links to the same Alacourt system but is set up just for Baldwin County searches. Some users find it easier to use when they only need records from one county.

Alabama Appellate Courts

If a civil case from Baldwin County was appealed, you can find the records through the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. This free portal has records from the Court of Civil Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court. Appeals in civil cases where the amount is under $50,000 go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Cases with higher amounts go straight to the Supreme Court.

Types of Civil Cases in Baldwin County

Civil court records in Baldwin County come from cases heard at different court levels. The level depends on how much money is at stake and what type of dispute it is.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Baldwin County Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount is more than $20,000. This includes major contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks and other incidents, medical malpractice claims, business fights, real estate disputes, and construction defect cases. The circuit court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions and specific performance. These cases tend to be more complex. They may take longer to resolve. Many involve discovery, depositions, and motion practice before going to trial.

District Court Civil Cases

The district court handles civil matters where the amount is $20,000 or less. Common cases include smaller contract disputes, property damage claims, landlord-tenant fights, debt collection, and consumer matters. District court steps are simpler than circuit court. Cases often move faster to a final outcome. You can file on your own more easily, though having a lawyer still helps in most cases.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court. It handles disputes under $6,000. The process is set up to be simple and informal. People can represent themselves without hiring a lawyer. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposit fights, minor property damage, and breach of simple contracts. Filing fees are lower. Hearings are set quickly. Most cases wrap up in a few weeks rather than months.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply across the state, including in Baldwin County. You pay the filing fee when you start a new case.

Copy and Certification Fees

Getting copies of court docs means paying extra fees. Standard copies run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page at most Alabama courthouses. Certified copies cost more. They run $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee. The Circuit Clerk can tell you exact costs when you ask for docs. Payment by check, money order, or cash is usually accepted. Some offices take credit cards.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot afford filing fees, you may ask the court to waive them. You need to file an affidavit of hardship. This form shows your income and expenses. The judge looks at it and decides whether to grant the waiver. This is allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. Fee waivers are meant for people who truly cannot pay. They are not for those who just prefer not to pay.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law sets up the right to access court records and other public docs. Knowing these laws helps you understand what you can get and how to get it.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. Court records count as public unless a specific rule says otherwise. The law says it should be read broadly in favor of letting people see records. When someone says no, they must prove an exemption covers the document.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. These rules say court records are open unless a law, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list over 90 types of info that may be kept private or blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some info about minors. Even with these rules, most civil court records are still open to the public.

Records Retention

Court records in Alabama are kept for set periods based on case type. Civil case files are kept for a long time, often for good. This means you can often find older civil cases going back many years. Some records may be stored off-site after a case is closed. This can add time to your request. Call ahead if you need old records so the staff can pull them before you arrive.

How to Get Baldwin County Civil Court Records

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at 312 Courthouse Sq, Suite 10 in Bay Minette. Bring ID and whatever case info you have. Tell the staff what records you need. They can search by party name or case number. You can view files at the courthouse. Ask for copies of specific docs. Same-day service is usually on hand for standard copies. Certified copies may take a bit longer.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk. Include the full names of the parties, rough filing date, case type, and your return address. Add a check or money order for the copy fees made out to the Circuit Clerk. If you do not know the exact fees, call ahead. Or send extra and ask them to refund any overage. Expect 5 to 10 business days for a response. It may take longer if the office is busy.

Online

Search through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com or the Baldwin County portal at baldwin.alacourt.gov. Make an account, find the case, and pay the search fee. You can view case info and doc lists online. Some docs can be downloaded. This is the fastest way to check if a case exists and see basic info about it.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes link to other types of records. These extra sources can give useful context for your search.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment for money, they can file it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens are filed with the Probate Judge in Baldwin County. Searching property records may show judgments that affect a piece of real estate. The Baldwin County Probate Court keeps deed and mortgage records going back to the county's start. This can help you see the full picture of someone's legal and financial situation.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases are filed in federal court instead of state court. Baldwin County falls within the Southern District of Alabama. Federal civil cases that involve federal law questions or parties from different states may be filed there. Search federal records through PACER. It charges $0.10 per page up to a cap of $3.00 per doc.

Bankruptcy Records

A party in a civil case may have filed for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy filings are federal court records. You can search them through PACER. A bankruptcy filing can greatly affect pending civil cases. It can also limit your ability to collect on judgments. If you are trying to collect money from someone, check for bankruptcy filings first.

Legal Assistance in Baldwin County

If you need help with a civil court matter and cannot afford a lawyer, free and low-cost options exist in Baldwin County.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Baldwin County. They handle matters like landlord-tenant disputes, consumer issues, and family law. Call the intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website has self-help resources, court forms, and info for people handling civil matters on their own. You can find guides on common legal issues and forms you may need for your case.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

This program links low-income people with volunteer lawyers who give free legal help. The Mobile office serves the Gulf Coast region including Baldwin County. Call (251) 438-1102 for info. They can tell you if they have an attorney on hand to help with your type of case.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. For up to $50, you can get a 30-minute talk with an attorney. Call 1-800-392-5660 weekdays between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Baldwin County and other Alabama counties.

Cities in Baldwin County

Baldwin County includes several cities and towns along the Gulf Coast and inland areas. No city in Baldwin County has a population over 100,000, so civil court matters for all Baldwin County residents are handled through the Circuit Clerk office in Bay Minette. Major communities include Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach. Residents of these cities would file civil cases and search for civil records through the same Baldwin County courthouse.

Nearby Counties

If you need civil court records from counties near Baldwin, select a county below.