Find Civil Court Records in Bullock County
Bullock County civil court records include lawsuits, contract disputes, debt cases, and judgments. These files go through the 5th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Union Springs keeps all civil case files for this rural southeast Alabama county. With about 10,000 people, Bullock County sees fewer civil cases than bigger urban counties. But the same state laws apply here as they do everywhere else in Alabama.
Anyone can access these public records. You might want to check on pending lawsuits, verify judgments, or look into legal history. The clerk's office gives out copies of court papers when you ask. Many records are also online through Alabama's statewide court system. Whether you need to check on an old debt case or track current legal matters, Bullock County records are open for public view during normal business hours.
Bullock County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office
The Bullock County Circuit Clerk keeps all civil court records in the county. Crystal Perdue runs this office. Her staff handles new case filings and keeps track of court dockets. They also help people find and access court papers. The office sits in the Bullock County Courthouse in Union Springs. Staff can help you find cases and get copies.
| Circuit Clerk | Crystal Perdue |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 230 Union Springs, AL 36089 |
| Phone | (334) 738-5855 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | bullock.alacourt.gov |
5th Judicial Circuit
Bullock County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. It shares this circuit with a few nearby counties. The circuit court judges rotate between counties. Civil cases in Bullock County are heard when court is in session locally. This follows a set schedule through the year. For dates and local court rules, call the Circuit Clerk's office.
Copy and Search Fees
The Circuit Clerk charges fees for copies and record searches. Fee amounts come from Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply in all Alabama counties. You can pay with cash, check, or money order when you visit.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Copies (21+ pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Record Search | $10.00 - $25.00 |
Certified copies have the official seal of the Circuit Clerk. Courts and other legal bodies accept them. Regular copies work fine if you just need the papers for your own use or research. Most people only need plain copies unless they're filing something in court.
Online Record Access
Bullock County civil court records are online through the Alacourt system. The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you look up cases by party name or case number. You can search from anywhere with internet. You need to set up an account and pay to view the actual papers. District court records cost $19.99 per case. Circuit court records cost $29.99 per case.
What You Can Find Online
The Alacourt database has basic case info. This includes party names, lawyers, filing dates, and current status. You can view the docket sheet. It shows every paper filed and every action in a case. Many documents are scanned so you can view or print them. Older cases may have less info online. This is true for cases filed before courts went digital.
Tips for Name Searches
When you search by name, try a few versions. The search wants exact matches. Nicknames or spelling changes can make you miss results. Start with the full legal name. Then try it with and without middle initials. If the person has a common name, add other details. An approximate filing date helps narrow things down.
Types of Civil Cases
Bullock County courts handle the same types of civil disputes as courts elsewhere in Alabama. The dollar amount at stake usually determines which court has jurisdiction over your case.
Circuit Court Civil Cases
Circuit court handles civil cases with more than $20,000 at stake. This comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These bigger cases include personal injury lawsuits and contract fights between businesses. Real estate disputes and fraud claims also go here. Circuit court handles equity matters too, like injunctions. The dollar amount doesn't matter for those.
In a rural county like Bullock, circuit court civil cases often deal with property line disputes. Farm contracts and car wrecks on rural roads come up a lot too.
District Court Civil Cases
District court handles civil cases worth $20,000 or less. This falls under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. These cases move faster than circuit court matters. Common ones include landlord-tenant fights and unpaid bills. Property damage from car wrecks shows up often. So do complaints against local businesses.
Small Claims Court
Small claims is part of district court. It covers disputes under $6,000. The process is simple so people can handle it without lawyers. You fill out a basic form and pay a small fee. Then you get a date to show up before the judge. Typical small claims cases involve security deposit fights and broken contracts. Damaged property and unpaid loans between people also end up here.
How to Request Civil Court Records
In-Person Requests
The easiest way to get Bullock County civil court records is to visit the clerk's office in Union Springs. Bring a photo ID. Know as much as you can about the case you want. Party names and a rough filing date help staff find the file faster. You can look through papers at the courthouse and ask for copies. Standard copies are usually ready while you wait. Same day at the latest.
Mail Requests
You can ask for records by mail if you can't visit. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 230, Union Springs, AL 36089. Put in the full names of the parties. Add a guess of when the case was filed. Include the type of case if you know it. Don't forget your return address. Put in a check or money order to Bullock County Circuit Clerk for the fees. Give it one to two weeks to get processed and mailed back.
Phone Requests
Call (334) 738-5855 to check on a case or ask basic questions. Staff can tell you if a case exists and where it stands. For copies, you'll need to visit or send a written request. Phone calls are good for checking details before you drive over or mail something in.
Alabama Public Records Law
Court records in Alabama are open to the public. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, any Alabama resident can inspect and copy public records from government agencies. This includes court records at the Circuit Clerk. The law should be read broadly to favor access. If someone denies access, they have to prove why.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some civil court records are not public. Judges can seal records in cases with trade secrets, minors, or sensitive info. Some records are private by law. Juvenile cases have special rules that limit access. If you ask for a sealed record, the clerk will say it's not available. You could file a motion to unseal it. But the judge doesn't have to say yes.
Court Record Privacy Rules
Alabama put new court privacy rules in place in January 2025. These rules list 91 types of info that may be kept from public view. Lawyers filing papers must black out Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Other sensitive data gets blocked too. The rules try to balance public access with privacy for people named in court files.
Statutes of Limitations
If you are considering filing a civil lawsuit in Bullock County, be aware of time limits. Alabama law sets deadlines for how long you have to file different types of civil claims.
Six-Year Limitations
Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file lawsuits based on written contracts, trespass to property, and recovery of money on loans. This longer period gives you time to discover problems and try to resolve them before going to court.
Two-Year Limitations
Personal injury claims, property damage, wrongful death, and most tort cases must be filed within two years. This falls under Alabama Code Section 6-2-38. Two years seems long but it goes fast. Wait too long and you lose the right to sue. It doesn't matter how strong your case is.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the act that caused harm. There's also a four-year outer limit. No matter when you find out about the injury, you can't sue more than four years after the care was given. Courts take these deadlines very seriously.
Related Record Sources
Civil court records connect to other public records that may provide additional useful information. Here are some related sources you might want to check.
Property Records and Judgment Liens
When a plaintiff wins a money judgment, they can record it as a lien against the defendant's real estate. These judgment liens are filed at the Bullock County Probate Office, not the Circuit Clerk. A property search can reveal outstanding judgments that may affect real estate in the county. The Probate Office also has deeds, mortgages, and other property records.
Federal Court Records
Some civil cases belong in federal court because they involve federal law or parties from different states. Bullock County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal civil cases are available through PACER at a cost of $0.10 per page.
Bankruptcy Records
If someone you are suing files for bankruptcy, it affects your civil case. Bankruptcy filings are federal records found through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles cases from Bullock County and surrounding areas.
Legal Assistance
If you need legal help with a civil matter in Bullock County, several organizations offer free or reduced-cost services for those who qualify.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income families across the state. They assist with housing issues, family law, public benefits, and consumer protection cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 to find out if you qualify for their services.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral program. For up to $50, you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney who handles your type of case. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected. This is a good way to understand your options before deciding how to proceed.
Self-Help Resources
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts website has forms and information for people representing themselves. Small claims court is specifically designed for self-representation. The clerk's office can provide blank forms and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice about your specific situation.
Start Your Search
Use our search tool to look up civil court records from Bullock County and throughout Alabama.
Cities in Bullock County
Bullock County includes the towns of Union Springs, Midway, and other small communities. Union Springs serves as the county seat and location of the courthouse. None of the cities in Bullock County have populations large enough to warrant separate city pages on this site.
Residents of all Bullock County cities and towns file civil court cases through the Circuit Clerk's office in Union Springs. The courthouse serves the entire county, so it does not matter which community you live in. The closest major city to Bullock County is Montgomery, located in neighboring Montgomery County.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Bullock County. If your civil matter involves parties or property in multiple counties, you may need to search records in more than one place. Each county maintains its own court records through its Circuit Clerk.