Chambers County Civil Court Records

Chambers County civil court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in LaFayette. This is the county seat. The 5th Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters filed in this east-central Alabama county that borders Georgia. Civil lawsuits, judgments, contract disputes, and property matters are all in these court files. Circuit Clerk Lisa M. Burdette runs the office and handles public access to case info. If you need to search for an old lawsuit or get copies of court orders, the clerk's office is your main source. You can also search many records online through Alacourt if you do not want to visit in person.

Circuit Clerk Office

The Chambers County Circuit Clerk is the keeper of all civil court records in the county. Lisa M. Burdette serves as Circuit Clerk. She runs the office that handles civil filings and keeps court records. Her staff can help you find cases and get copies of the records you need. Just call ahead or stop by during office hours.

5th Judicial Circuit

Chambers County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. It shares this circuit with Randolph, Tallapoosa, Macon, and Lee counties. Court resources and staff may be shared across county lines. Circuit judges rotate between courthouses in the different counties. Knowing which judge is on your case can help when you need to file motions or show up for hearings. The Circuit Clerk's office can tell you which judge handles your case. They can also tell you when court is in session.

Online Record Access

Chambers County civil court records are on the statewide Alacourt system. The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search cases by party name or case number. You can do this from anywhere with internet access. You will need to make an account and pay per-case fees to view documents. District court case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court cases cost $29.99.

What You Can Find Online

The Alacourt system has case info like party names, filing dates, case status, and hearing dates. You can view docket entries that show every document filed in a case. Many documents are there as scanned images you can view or print from home. Some older cases from before the system went digital may have less info online. For those, you would need to visit the clerk's office or send a mail request to get full files.

Search Tips

When searching for civil court records by name, try different versions. The system looks for exact matches. If someone uses a nickname or adds a middle initial, you might miss their cases. Start with the full legal name. Then try with and without middle names. Check common misspellings too. Business names can be tricky. Companies may file under slightly different versions of their name over time.

Chambers County Alacourt Portal

The Chambers County Alacourt page gives you direct access to local court info. You can find court schedules, judge assignments, and links to online record searches here. This is a good place to start if you do not know the Alabama court system well. It gives you county-specific guidance that is easier to follow.

Types of Civil Cases

Chambers County courts handle many types of civil disputes. The kind of case determines which court has power over it. The case type also sets what steps apply to your matter. Understanding the difference helps you file in the right place.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court hears civil cases where the amount is over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These include personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks and slip and fall accidents. Contract disputes between businesses go here too. So do real estate fights over property lines or sales gone wrong, and fraud claims. Circuit court also handles equity matters like injunctions. If you are suing for more than $20,000, circuit court is where you file. The same is true if you need the court to order someone to do something rather than just pay money.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil cases where the dispute is worth $20,000 or less. This is set out in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common district court matters include landlord-tenant disputes over evictions or deposits. Unpaid debts and collection cases go here too. So do property damage claims and consumer complaints. These cases tend to move faster than circuit court. Many are done within a few months of filing. They do not drag on for years like bigger cases can.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is a part of district court for disputes under $6,000. The process is simple and informal. Regular people can handle their own cases without hiring a lawyer. You fill out a basic form, pay a small filing fee, and get a court date. Common small claims matters include deposit disputes with former landlords. Minor contract issues and damage to personal property also fall here. The judge decides the case the same day you present it. You walk out with a judgment.

How to Request Civil Court Records

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 2 Lafayette Street in LaFayette. The office is in the Chambers County Courthouse. Bring valid ID such as a driver's license. Know as much about the case as you can before you arrive. Having the party names and rough filing date helps staff find records fast. You can look through files and ask for copies while you wait. Standard copies are usually ready the same day.

Mail Requests

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 2 Lafayette Street, Lafayette, AL 36862. Include the full names of all parties in the case. Add the rough date the case was filed. Note the type of case if you know it. Put your full return address on the letter. Enclose a check or money order payable to Chambers County Circuit Clerk for the copy fees. Allow 5 to 10 business days for the office to process your request. Then they will mail your copies back.

Phone Requests

You can call the Circuit Clerk's office at (334) 864-4348 to ask about records. You can also check on case status this way. Staff can often tell you over the phone if a case exists. They can say what documents are on file. They can also give you a fee quote for copies. But getting actual copies requires visiting in person, mailing a request, or using the online system. Phone calls are best for early research before you pay for copies.

Civil Court Filing and Copy Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are established by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply statewide, though some local fees may vary slightly.

Copy Fees

The Circuit Clerk charges fees for copies of civil court records. Standard copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. They usually run $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a fee for the seal. If you need certified copies for legal matters in another court, ask for certification when you order. Certified copies have the official seal and signature of the Circuit Clerk on them.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot afford court fees, you may ask for a fee waiver. You do this by filing a form that shows you have a hardship. Under Alabama law, judges can waive filing fees for people who cannot pay. This applies to filing new lawsuits. It does not apply to copy fees for existing records. The clerk's office can give you the form to request a waiver.

Public Records Access

Alabama law generally requires court records to be open to the public. Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, Alabama residents can inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. This includes courts. The law is meant to be read broadly in favor of letting people see records. If an agency says no to a record request, they have to prove a legal reason applies.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Some civil court records are not open to the public. Judges can seal records in certain cases. This includes cases with trade secrets, minors, or sensitive personal info. Some records are private by law. If you ask for a sealed record, the clerk will tell you access is blocked. You might be able to file a motion asking the court to unseal the record. But there is no promise the judge will agree.

Court Record Privacy Rules

Alabama's Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect in January 2025. These rules list 91 types of info that may be blocked from public access. Lawyers must now remove sensitive data like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers before filing documents. This keeps people's privacy safe while keeping most court records open to the public. It is a good balance between privacy and openness.

Requesting Records Under the Open Records Act

For records that are not readily available through normal channels, you can submit a formal public records request under Section 36-12-40. Put your request in writing and be as specific as possible about what records you want. The law does not set a firm deadline for agencies to respond, but most offices will get back to you within a reasonable time. You may have to pay for copies.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to other types of public records. When researching a civil matter in Chambers County, these additional sources can provide useful context.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien against the losing party's property. These judgment liens are filed with the Chambers County Probate Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to real property in the county where it is recorded. Searching property records can reveal outstanding judgments against a person or business.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases belong in federal court rather than state court. This happens when the case involves a federal law question or when the parties are from different states and more than $75,000 is at stake. Chambers County is in the Middle District of Alabama. Federal civil records are available through PACER for $0.10 per page.

Bankruptcy Records

If someone involved in a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can affect the lawsuit. Bankruptcy filings are federal records also available through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles cases from this area. A pending bankruptcy may pause collection on civil judgments or even discharge certain debts entirely.

Business Entity Records

For civil cases involving corporations or limited liability companies, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business records. You can look up registered agent information, which is useful for serving legal papers. The Secretary of State website also shows whether a business is in good standing or has been dissolved.

Statutes of Limitations

If you are thinking about filing a civil lawsuit, be aware of time limits. Alabama law sets deadlines for bringing different types of claims. Miss the deadline and you lose the right to sue no matter how strong your case might be.

Contract Claims

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file a lawsuit based on a written contract. This covers most business agreements, loans with written terms, and similar disputes where the agreement was put in writing.

Personal Injury Claims

For personal injury cases like car accidents, slip and falls, or other negligence claims, Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 gives you only two years from the date of injury to file suit. This is a shorter deadline than many people expect, so do not wait too long if you think you have a claim.

Property Damage

Claims for damage to your property also have a two-year limitation period. This applies whether someone wrecked your car, damaged your home, or destroyed other personal property. The clock starts when the damage occurs.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims are governed by Alabama Code Section 6-5-482. You generally have two years from the act or omission to file, with a discovery rule that may extend this in some cases. However, there is an absolute four-year statute of repose, meaning you cannot file more than four years after the malpractice no matter when you discovered it.

Legal Assistance

If you need help with a civil court matter in Chambers County, several organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to people who qualify based on income.

Legal Services Alabama

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

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help offers self-help resources, court forms, and legal information for people handling civil matters on their own. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission. Even if you cannot get a lawyer, you can find guides that explain court procedures and what to expect.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. For a maximum fee of $50, you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney who handles your type of case. This can help you understand your options before deciding whether to hire a lawyer or handle things yourself.

Pro Bono Resources

Some attorneys in the area take pro bono cases for people who cannot afford legal fees. The Circuit Clerk's office may be able to point you toward local resources. You can also contact the Alabama State Bar for information about volunteer lawyer programs that serve Chambers County.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to look up civil court records from Chambers County and throughout Alabama.

Cities in Chambers County

Chambers County includes several communities such as LaFayette, Valley, Lanett, and Five Points. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so civil court records for all Chambers County residents are handled through the Circuit Clerk's office in LaFayette. No matter which city you live in, you will use the same courthouse and clerk's office for your civil court needs.

The largest city is Valley, followed by Lanett and LaFayette. These cities developed along the Chattahoochee River on the Georgia border. Though smaller in population today, the area has a long history tied to the textile industry. All civil matters go through the county court system regardless of which city you call home.

Nearby Counties

These neighboring counties share borders with Chambers County. If your civil matter involves parties or property in multiple counties, you may need to check records in more than one location.

Lee County to the south is home to Auburn and the Auburn University campus. Randolph County lies to the north. Tallapoosa County is to the west, and Russell County is to the southwest near the Chattahoochee River. Cases involving property or incidents near county lines sometimes require checking records in the adjacent county as well.