Find Civil Court Records in Barbour County

Civil court records in Barbour County are filed and kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in the 5th Judicial Circuit. Barbour County is one of only two counties in Alabama with two county seats. Courthouses sit in both Clayton and Eufaula. This setup dates back to when the county was formed. Court services are split between the two spots. The Circuit Clerk's main office is in Eufaula, where most civil case filings go through. Karen S. Pugh is the current Circuit Clerk. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and judgment papers. These records are public under Alabama law. You can ask for them online, in person, or by mail.

Barbour County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk handles all civil court filings and keeps official records for cases heard in Barbour County courts. This office takes in new lawsuits, stores case files, and gives out certified copies when asked. Karen S. Pugh is the elected Circuit Clerk. She runs both courthouse sites. Most civil work happens at the Eufaula courthouse.

Eufaula Courthouse (Main Office)

The Eufaula courthouse is the main spot for Circuit Clerk services. Send most questions about civil court records here. The clerk's office sits on the first floor of the courthouse building at Court Square. Staff can help you find what you need during normal business hours.

Clayton Courthouse

Clayton is the second county seat of Barbour County. Some court sessions and records are at this site. For civil record requests, the Eufaula office is the main contact. You can still reach the Clayton courthouse by mail if needed.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Barbour County civil court records are on the statewide Alacourt system. You can search case info without going to the courthouse. This saves time for basic lookups. The county also has a local website with general court info.

Barbour County Court Portal

The Barbour County court website has basic info about court services. You can find office hours and contact details there. Some general guidance on filing steps is also posted. For full case searches, use the Alacourt Public Access system.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search civil court records from Barbour County and all other Alabama counties. Look up cases by party name or case number. District court lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. You need to make an account to view case details.

What Records Are Available Online

Through Alacourt, you can find basic case info. This includes party names, case numbers, filing dates, case types, and case status. You may also see some hearing dates and outcomes. Not all files are viewable online. Older filings or sealed matters need an in-person request at the clerk's office.

Types of Civil Cases in Barbour County

The 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Barbour County handles a range of civil disputes. Jurisdiction depends on the dollar amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. Here is a breakdown of how cases are divided between court levels.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court handles civil lawsuits where the amount at stake tops $20,000. Common cases include injury claims from car wrecks, medical malpractice suits, big contract fights between businesses, real estate issues, and building defect cases. Circuit court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions. There is no dollar minimum for equity cases.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil matters where the amount is $20,000 or less. This includes debt collection cases, landlord-tenant fights over unpaid rent or deposits, small contract claims, and property damage under the limit. District court often moves faster than circuit court. That can help when you want a quick fix for a smaller case.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court. It handles cases up to $6,000. The process is made to be simple and cheap for people without lawyers. You can file for unpaid debts, minor property damage, or broken small contracts. Filing fees are lower than regular civil cases. Many people handle small claims on their own. No lawyer is needed, though you can bring one if you want.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees in Barbour County follow the statewide schedule set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply when you file a new civil lawsuit or certain motions.

Copy and Certification Fees

Getting copies of civil court papers costs $0.50 to $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies run higher. They cost $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a flat fee. The exact amount depends on what kind of paper you need certified. Call the clerk's office first if you need a quote for a large request.

Fee Waivers for Hardship

If you cannot pay filing fees, you may ask for a fee waiver from the court. You must fill out a form that shows your income and costs. The judge looks at this and decides if you qualify. Fee waivers are granted case by case. Not everyone who applies gets approved. But it is worth asking if you truly cannot pay.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Your right to access civil court records in Barbour County comes from Alabama statutes and court rules. These laws set out what records are public, how to get them, and what restrictions apply.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. This law is broad. Courts read it in favor of letting people see records. If an agency wants to say no, they must prove an exemption applies. Most civil court records are public. You can view them unless a judge has sealed them for a specific reason.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect on January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for viewing and copying unless the law says no. The rules list types of info that clerks may black out. Courts may also seal some items. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some details about minors. These rules try to balance public access with privacy.

Sealed Records

Sometimes a judge will seal part or all of a civil case file. This might happen if the case involves trade secrets or private medical records. Business info that could hurt a company if made public may also be sealed. Settlement deals are often sealed when both sides ask. If a record is sealed, the clerk cannot let you see it without a court order.

Understanding the Dual County Seat System

Barbour County is one of only two counties in Alabama that operates with two county seats. The other is Chambers County. This unusual arrangement has practical effects on how court services are delivered and where records are kept.

How It Works

Both Clayton and Eufaula are official county seats. Clayton is in the northern part of the county. Eufaula sits in the southern part near the Georgia border. When the county was set up, having two seats made sense. Travel was hard back then. People in different parts of the county needed easy access to government.

Which Courthouse to Use

For most civil court matters today, the Eufaula courthouse handles the bulk of business. The Circuit Clerk's main office is there. But some court sessions may be held in Clayton. Certain records could be stored at that site too. If you are not sure where to go, call the clerk's office in Eufaula first. They can tell you where to file your case.

Practical Tips

When asking for records by mail, you can send your request to either spot. But the Eufaula address is more likely to get a fast reply. That is where the main staff works. For in-person visits, the Eufaula courthouse has more services during normal hours. Plan ahead and call before you go. This is key if you are making a long drive.

How to Request Civil Court Records

There are three main ways to get civil court records from Barbour County: online, in person, or by mail. Each method has its own advantages depending on your situation.

Online Requests

The quickest way to search for records is through Alacourt Public Access at pa.alacourt.com. Create an account, search by party name or case number, and pay the fee to view case details. This works well if you know what case you are looking for and just need basic information or documents.

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Eufaula courthouse during regular business hours. Bring a valid ID and give them as much information as you have about the case. Party names, approximate dates, and case types all help. Staff can search the system and pull files for you to review. You can get copies made on the spot in most cases.

Mail Requests

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk with the names of parties, approximate filing date, case type, and your return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Circuit Clerk. Contact the office first to confirm the amount needed. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a response.

Public Records Requests

For records that are hard to find through normal channels, submit a formal public records request citing Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Be as specific as possible about what you want. There is no set deadline for response, but most offices try to reply within a reasonable time frame.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes connect with records kept by other government offices. Checking these sources can give you a fuller picture of a legal matter or help you find information you could not locate in court files.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment for money, they can record it as a lien on the debtor's real property. The Barbour County Probate Judge maintains these property records. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to property in the county where it is recorded. If you are researching whether someone has outstanding judgments, a property records search at the probate office can reveal liens.

Federal Court Records

Barbour County falls within the Middle District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, or disputes between citizens of different states over $75,000 go to federal court. The main courthouse for the Middle District is in Montgomery. Federal records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov for $0.10 per page.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect ongoing civil cases by putting a hold on collection efforts. If someone files bankruptcy, their creditors might have to stop civil lawsuits. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles these matters. You can search bankruptcy records through PACER.

Business Records

If a civil case involves a business, you may want to check business entity records with the Alabama Secretary of State. This can help you find registered agent information for service of process or track down the correct legal name of a company you are suing.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter in Barbour County, several organizations provide free or low-cost legal services to those who qualify.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal aid to low-income residents across all 67 Alabama counties, including Barbour. They help with housing issues, family law matters, consumer problems, and public benefits cases. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website provides free self-help guides, court forms, and legal information. This is useful if you plan to handle a civil matter on your own without hiring a lawyer. You can find resources on small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection defense, and more.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you need to hire a lawyer but do not know where to start, the Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected with an attorney in your area. Initial consultations cost up to $50 for 30 minutes. The service is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Volunteer Lawyers Programs

Several volunteer lawyer programs serve the Barbour County area. The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program in Mobile at (251) 438-1102 and the Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program at (334) 265-0222 can assist residents in finding pro bono attorneys for civil legal matters.

Search Civil Court Records

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from Barbour County and other Alabama locations.

Cities and Towns in Barbour County

Barbour County includes several municipalities. Civil court records for residents of these cities and towns are maintained at the county level by the Circuit Clerk. The two county seats are Eufaula and Clayton.

Major communities in Barbour County include Eufaula (the largest city), Clayton, Louisville, Clio, and Blue Springs. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so civil court matters are handled through the county court system rather than any municipal court with civil jurisdiction.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Barbour County. Each maintains its own Circuit Clerk office for civil court records.