Find Civil Court Records in Chilton County

Civil court records in Chilton County document lawsuits, judgments, contract disputes, property claims, and other civil matters filed through the 19th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk office in Clanton keeps these records and makes them open to the public upon request. Chilton County sits in central Alabama between Birmingham and Montgomery. The courts here handle civil filings from small claims to big lawsuits. Whether you need to search for a judgment, look up case documents, or verify court filings, this page shows you how to get Chilton County civil court records. You can search online through Alacourt or visit the courthouse in person.

Chilton County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Chilton County. Shanna Maze is the Circuit Clerk and runs record keeping for the 19th Judicial Circuit. The office takes new case filings, keeps court documents, gives out certified copies, and handles public record requests. Staff can help you search for civil cases. Just give them party names or case numbers.

The Chilton County Courthouse sits in downtown Clanton on Second Avenue North. The building holds the Circuit Clerk, Circuit Court, and District Court offices. Street parking is there around the courthouse square. There are also public lots close by. Bring valid photo ID when you visit to ask for records or view case files.

Online Record Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search Chilton County civil court records online. You can search by party name or case number. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. You need an account to use the system. Results show case info, parties, filing dates, and docket entries. Some documents can be viewed or downloaded right through the portal.

Chilton County also has a local court website at chilton.alacourt.gov with info about court services, schedules, and how things work. This site does not let you search records directly. But it has useful info about how courts run in Chilton County. You can find contact info, court calendars, and links to forms and resources there.

Types of Civil Cases in Chilton County

Chilton County courts handle many kinds of civil matters. Which court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake. The amount in dispute sets whether you go to small claims, district court, or circuit court.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The Chilton County Circuit Court hears civil cases over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These cases include big contract disputes, injury lawsuits, business fights, property disputes, and malpractice claims. Circuit Court also has sole power over injunctions and other equity matters. Cases here tend to be more complex. They may involve jury trials.

District Court Civil Cases

Chilton County District Court handles civil cases from $6,000 to $20,000 as set out in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases include contract disputes, property damage claims, landlord-tenant issues, and debt collection. District Court uses simpler steps than Circuit Court. Cases here move faster through the system.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court in Chilton County handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The process is informal. It is set up for folks who do not have lawyers. You fill out a basic form, pay a filing fee, and get a court date. Common small claims cases include security deposit disputes, minor contract issues, unpaid debts, and property damage. No jury trials here. The judge hears both sides and decides, often the same day.

Domestic Relations Cases

Civil cases about family matters go through Chilton County Circuit Court. These include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and name changes. Domestic relations records may have limited access. This protects minors and private family info. Some documents in these cases are sealed by law or court order.

How to Search Chilton County Civil Records

Online Searches

The fastest way to find civil court records is through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. Create a free account. Then search by typing the name of someone in the case. You can also search by case number if you have it. Results show basic case info. Pay the lookup fee to see full case details and documents. The system covers both Circuit Court and District Court civil cases filed in Chilton County.

In Person at the Courthouse

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Chilton County Courthouse in Clanton during business hours. Bring valid ID. Tell the clerk you want to search civil court records. Give them what info you have. This could be party names, rough dates, or case type. Staff will help you find records. You can view case files at no charge. Copies cost extra, with fees set by state law.

Written Requests

Send a written request to the Chilton County Circuit Clerk. Include: full names of all parties, rough filing date, case type (civil, small claims, domestic, etc.), your contact info, and payment for any fees. Make checks out to Chilton County Circuit Clerk. Mail to PO Box 270, Clanton, AL 35046. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a reply. Call ahead if you need records faster.

Public Records Requests

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, Alabama citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records. Court records are mostly public unless sealed by court order or shielded by law. If you have trouble getting records the normal way, you can file a formal public records request. Cite this statute in your request. The law says courts should read it in favor of public access.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 sets up the right to inspect public records held by government offices. The law says it should be read to favor public access. Anyone denied access can seek a court order to force release. The burden is on the government to prove a reason to hold back records. Section 36-12-41 lets offices charge fair fees for copies. But they cannot charge for the time spent looking for records.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for viewing unless a law, rule, or court order says no. The rules list 91 types of info that may be kept private or blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, and some info about minors. People who file documents must black out this private info themselves.

Civil Filing Requirements

Civil lawsuits in Alabama must meet certain rules to be filed. A complaint must include a clear claim, what you want, and why the court has power to hear it. Under Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and summons. The defendant then has 30 days to file an answer.

Statutes of Limitations

Alabama sets time limits for filing civil lawsuits. Miss the deadline and you likely lose the right to sue. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. Injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years per Section 6-2-38. Medical malpractice has a two-year limit. There is also a four-year outer limit under Section 6-5-482. Fraud claims have a two-year limit from when you find out, per Section 6-2-3.

Related Records in Chilton County

Property Records and Judgment Liens

Civil judgments can become liens on real property. In Chilton County, the Probate Judge records judgment liens against property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien sticks to the debtor's real property in the county where recorded. The lien lasts ten years. It can be renewed. Check property records to see if someone has judgment liens against them. This matters if you hold a judgment and want to collect.

The Chilton County Probate Judge maintains deeds, mortgages, and other property records. Contact the Probate Office at (205) 755-1555 for property record searches. The office is located in the Chilton County Courthouse in Clanton.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases involving Chilton County residents are heard in federal court rather than state court. Chilton County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division in Birmingham. Federal cases include disputes over federal law, diversity cases exceeding $75,000 between citizens of different states, and bankruptcy proceedings. Search federal records through PACER at $0.10 per page with a quarterly cap.

Business Entity Records

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records. Search the business entity database to find registered agent information, corporate officers, and filing history. This helps with service of process and locating parties in civil litigation. You can find out if a business is in good standing or has been dissolved.

UCC Filings

Uniform Commercial Code filings show secured interests in personal property. The Alabama Secretary of State maintains the statewide UCC database. These records matter in civil cases involving secured creditors, equipment financing, and business assets. Search UCC filings at the Secretary of State UCC page.

Legal Help in Chilton County

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents throughout the state including Chilton County. They handle housing disputes, family law matters, consumer protection issues, and public benefits cases. Call the intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for their services. Income limits apply.

Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program serves residents of Chilton County and surrounding areas in central Alabama. They connect qualifying individuals with pro bono attorneys for civil legal matters. Contact them at (205) 250-5198 for information about services available to Chilton County residents. They handle matters including family law, consumer disputes, and housing issues.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help offers free self-help resources, court forms, and legal information. The site is operated by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission. You can find information about common civil matters like small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer issues, and debt collection defense. The site includes step-by-step guides for handling cases without a lawyer.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service connecting people with attorneys across the state. Call 1-800-392-5660 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The initial consultation costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. They can connect you with attorneys who handle civil cases in Chilton County and surrounding areas.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Chilton County and other locations.

Cities in Chilton County

Chilton County includes the city of Clanton, which serves as the county seat, along with Jemison, Thorsby, Maplesville, and several other smaller communities. Civil court matters for residents of these cities are handled at the Chilton County Courthouse in Clanton. No cities in Chilton County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

The nearest major city with its own page is Birmingham, located about 45 miles north of Clanton in Jefferson County. Birmingham residents handle their civil court matters through the Jefferson County courts.

Nearby Counties

Chilton County borders six other Alabama counties. Each county maintains its own civil court records through its Circuit Clerk office.