Search Clarke County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Clarke County cover lawsuits, judgments, and contract disputes. Other legal matters filed through the 1st Judicial Circuit Court are here too. The Circuit Clerk office in Grove Hill keeps all civil case files for the county. Clarke County is a rural county in southwest Alabama. About 23,000 people live here. The county seat of Grove Hill is where all court work happens. Civil matters from small claims to big lawsuits are handled through this office. Both the statewide Alacourt system and the local Circuit Clerk give access to civil court records. You can search for open cases, look up old judgments, or get copies of court papers. The 1st Judicial Circuit also includes Choctaw and Washington counties. Some judges and court staff are shared across these three counties.

Clarke County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the main keeper of civil court records in Clarke County. Amanda L. Busby serves as Circuit Clerk. She oversees all court file upkeep. Her office takes new civil filings, keeps old case records, and gives copies of papers to the public. The main office is at the Clarke County Courthouse in Grove Hill. This is where you go for most record needs.

When you visit in person, bring valid ID. Bring as much case info as you have too. Staff can search for cases by party name or case number. If you only have a little info, searches may take more time. It helps to know at least one party name. A rough idea of when the case was filed is useful. The courthouse is in downtown Grove Hill. Parking is easy to find nearby.

What Records Does the Circuit Clerk Maintain?

The Circuit Clerk keeps records for all civil matters heard in Clarke County Circuit Court and District Court. This includes the first complaint or petition that started the case. Also answers and motions filed by parties. Court orders from the judge are here. Final judgments and any appeals too. The office also holds records of small claims cases. Eviction cases, garnishment actions, and debt collection matters are all part of the civil case files kept here.

Records are sorted by case number. Each case gets a unique number when filed. The format tells you the year, case type, and order. For example, CV-2025-900045 would be a civil case filed in 2025. Knowing the case number makes finding records much faster. If you do not have a case number, staff can search by name. This just takes more time.

Online Access to Clarke County Civil Records

Two main ways exist for searching Clarke County civil court records online. The statewide Alacourt system gives full access. The local county portal also offers search tools. Both tie into the same database.

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. This works for any case in Clarke 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 documents filed.

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. Data is updated often. You can see recent filings within a day or two of when they happen.

Clarke County Online Portal

Clarke County gives local access through clarke.alacourt.gov. This portal connects to the same Alacourt system. But it is set up for Clarke County searches only. Some users find it easier when they just need records from one county. The search tools and fees are the same as the main Alacourt portal.

Alabama Appellate Courts

If a civil case from Clarke County was appealed, you can find appellate records through the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. This free portal has records from the Court of Civil Appeals. It also has records from 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 to the Supreme Court.

Types of Civil Cases in Clarke County

Civil court records in Clarke County come from cases heard at different court levels based on the amount involved and the type of dispute.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Clarke County Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount tops $20,000. This includes major contract disputes. Personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks and other events are here. Medical malpractice claims, business fights, real estate disputes, and building defect cases too. The circuit court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions. These cases tend to be complex. They may take a year or more to wrap up. Many involve discovery, depositions, and motion work before trial. The 1st Judicial Circuit serves Clarke, Choctaw, and Washington counties. Circuit judges rotate between courthouses.

District Court Civil Cases

The district court handles civil matters where the amount does not top $20,000. Common cases include smaller contract disputes. Property damage claims are frequent. Landlord-tenant disputes, collection actions, and consumer matters too. District court steps are simpler than circuit court. Cases often move faster here. Eviction cases are heard in district court. Most are resolved within a few weeks of filing.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court for disputes under $6,000. The process is simple so people can represent themselves. You do not need a lawyer. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts and deposit disputes. Minor property damage and breach of simple contracts are common too. Filing fees are lower. Hearings get scheduled fast. You do not need formal pleadings or legal training to file. The judge asks questions and makes a call, often the same day as the hearing.

Civil Court Filing Fees

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

Copy and Certification Fees

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

Fee Waivers

If you cannot afford filing fees, you may ask the court to waive them. You need to file a form showing your income and expenses. The judge reviews it. Then they decide whether to grant the waiver. This is allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. Fee waivers are for people who truly cannot pay. They are not for those who just prefer not to.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law sets up the right to access court records and other public papers. Knowing these laws helps you understand what you can get. It also shows how to get it. A few key rules apply here.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. Court records are public unless an exemption applies. The law must be read broadly in favor of access. When someone denies access, they have to 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 or court order says otherwise. The rules list over 90 types of info that may be kept private. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Certain info about minors is protected too. Even with these rules, most civil court records remain open to the public.

Records Retention

Court records in Alabama are kept for set periods based on case type. Civil case files are usually kept for good or for very long periods. This means you can often find older civil cases going back decades. Some records may be stored off-site after a case closes. This can add time to your request. Older records may also be on microfilm or paper. They might not be in the computer system.

How to Get Clarke County Civil Court Records

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Clarke County Courthouse in Grove Hill. Bring ID and whatever case information you have. Tell staff what records you need. They can search by party name or case number. You can view files at the courthouse and request copies of specific documents. Same-day service is usually available for standard copies. Certified copies may take a bit longer depending on workload.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 548, Grove Hill AL 36451. Include the full names of parties, approximate filing date, case type, and your return address. Include a check or money order for copy fees made out to the Circuit Clerk. If you do not know exact fees, call ahead or send extra and ask them to refund any overage. Expect 5 to 10 business days for a response, sometimes longer if the office is busy.

Online

Search through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com or through the Clarke County portal at clarke.alacourt.gov. Create an account, find the case, and pay the search fee. You can view case information and document lists online. Some documents can be downloaded directly. This is the fastest way to check if a case exists and see basic information about it.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes connect to other types of records. These additional sources can provide useful context or additional information about parties and property.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment for money, they can record it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens are filed with the Probate Judge in Clarke County. Searching property records may reveal judgments that affect real estate. The Clarke County Probate Court maintains deed and mortgage records going back to the county's founding. The Probate Judge office is also in Grove Hill.

Federal Court Records

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

Bankruptcy Records

A party in civil litigation may have filed for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy filings are federal court records searchable through PACER. A bankruptcy filing can significantly affect pending civil cases and the ability to collect on judgments. If a defendant has filed bankruptcy, the automatic stay may halt your civil case.

Legal Assistance in Clarke County

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

Legal Services Alabama

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

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website offers self-help resources, court forms, and information for people handling civil matters on their own. You can find guides on common legal issues and forms you may need for your case. The site is free to use.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

This program connects low-income individuals with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal help. The Mobile office serves the Gulf Coast region including Clarke County. Call (251) 438-1102 for information about eligibility and services.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

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

Start Your Search

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

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County includes several small towns and communities spread across its rural landscape. No city in Clarke County has a population over 100,000, so civil court matters for all Clarke County residents are handled through the Circuit Clerk office in Grove Hill. The largest communities include Jackson, Thomasville, and Grove Hill itself. Residents of these towns file civil cases and search for civil records through the same Clarke County courthouse. If you need records involving parties in Clarke County, contact the Circuit Clerk regardless of which town the parties live in.

The nearest major city is Mobile, which is about 60 miles south of Grove Hill. Mobile has its own separate court system in Mobile County.

Nearby Counties

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