Access Clay County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Clay County are filed and kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Ashland. Ashland is the county seat. Clay County sits in the 40th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Coosa County. The circuit judges move between the two courthouses to hear civil cases. You can get records through the Alacourt online system, in person at the clerk's office, or by mail. The clerk's staff can help you search for case files. They can also get you copies of court papers. Most civil matters in the county are handled through the circuit and district courts housed in the Ashland courthouse.

Clay County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Clay County. Paula Trull holds this elected office. The clerk's office handles new civil case filings. It also maintains all case files and gives the public access to court papers. Staff can help you search for records. They issue both regular and certified copies.

The Clay County Courthouse is in downtown Ashland on the town square. When you visit, bring a valid ID and any case details you have. The staff can look up records if you give them party names and rough filing dates. Be ready to wait if the office is busy. They help people on a first-come basis.

The 40th Judicial Circuit

Clay County is part of the 40th Judicial Circuit along with Coosa County. This two-county circuit shares circuit judges. They travel between the courthouses in Ashland and Rockford to hear cases. Circuits like this are common in rural parts of Alabama. One county alone would not have enough cases to keep a judge busy full time.

What this means for you is that civil cases in Clay County are heard on a set schedule. Court dates depend on when a judge is assigned to sit in Ashland. The clerk's office can tell you when court is in session. They can also tell you which judge will handle your case.

Circuit Court Jurisdiction

Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, circuit courts have general power over civil cases. In Clay County, the circuit court hears civil lawsuits where the amount is more than $20,000. The court also has sole power over equity cases no matter the dollar amount. Equity cases include injunctions, specific performance claims, partition actions, and quiet title suits.

District Court Jurisdiction

Clay County District Court handles civil cases where the amount is $20,000 or less. This is stated in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Small claims cases under $6,000 are also heard in district court. Common district court civil matters include debt collection, landlord-tenant fights, contract claims, and property damage cases under the dollar limit.

Small Claims Court

For disputes under $6,000, Clay County residents can use the small claims division of district court. Under Alabama Code Section 12-12-31, small claims court is meant to be simple, informal, and cheap. You do not need a lawyer to file or argue a small claims case. The process is set up so regular people can handle their own disputes. No legal training is needed.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Clay County civil court records are on the statewide Alacourt system. This online database lets you search for cases and look at documents from anywhere with internet access.

Alacourt Public Access

The Clay County Alacourt portal gives you online access to civil court records. You can search by party name or case number. To view case documents, you need to make an account and pay a fee. District court case lookups cost $19.99 and circuit court case lookups cost $29.99.

What Records Are Available Online

The Alacourt system has civil case info. This includes party names, case numbers, filing dates, case status, and docket entries. Some court papers like complaints, motions, and orders may be viewable. It depends on the case. Not all papers are scanned into the system, especially for older cases. For complete records, you may need to go to the clerk's office yourself.

Creating an Alacourt Account

To see case papers through Alacourt, you must first sign up for an account. Go to pa.alacourt.com and click the registration link. You will need to give your name, address, and email. You will also make a password. After you sign up, you can search for cases and pay to view papers with a credit or debit card.

How to Request Records in Person

Going to the Circuit Clerk's office in Ashland is often the most direct way to get civil court records. This is especially true for older cases or when you need certified copies.

What to Bring

When you visit the clerk's office, bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID. Have as much case info as you can, including party names, rough filing dates, and case type. If you know the case number, the search will go much faster.

Search Assistance

Staff at the clerk's office can help you search for records if you do not know the exact case number. They can search by party name. They can also narrow results by date range or case type. Be ready to wait during busy times. The office helps all visitors in the order they arrive.

Copy Options

Standard photocopies of court papers are available for most civil case records. Certified copies have the clerk's seal and signature. This makes them official papers you can use for legal purposes. You need certified copies for many things. Examples include proving a judgment exists or filing papers in another court.

Requesting Records by Mail

If you cannot go to the clerk's office yourself, you can ask for civil court records by mail. Send your request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 187, Ashland, AL 36251.

Information to Include

Your written request should have the full names of all parties to the case. Include the rough date range when the case was filed. Note the type of case (civil, small claims, etc.) and what specific papers you need. Put your return address and daytime phone number in case the clerk's office has questions.

Payment

Include payment for copy fees with your request. Make checks or money orders payable to "Clay County Circuit Clerk." If you do not know the total cost, call the clerk's office for an estimate. You can do this before sending your request. The office can also hold your request until you send more money if the cost is higher than your first payment.

Processing Time

Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days to process. This depends on how many requests they have and how hard your search is. Some searches take more time than others. The clerk's office will mail the papers you asked for to your return address once they find and copy the records.

Types of Civil Cases in Clay County

The Circuit Clerk keeps records for many types of civil disputes filed in Clay County courts. Knowing the different case types can help you find the records you need.

Contract Disputes

Contract cases involve fights over agreements between parties. These can range from simple consumer contracts to complex business deals. The court records will have the original complaint, any counterclaims, motions filed by both sides, and the final judgment or settlement.

Personal Injury Claims

When someone is hurt because of another party's carelessness, they may file a personal injury lawsuit. These cases often involve car wrecks, slip and fall incidents, or bad products. Records include medical papers, expert reports, and damage amounts. You may also find witness statements and photos in the case file.

Property Disputes

Civil cases about real estate and property are common. These include boundary disputes, easement conflicts, quiet title actions, and partition suits where co-owners want to split property. Such cases often have surveys, deeds, and property records.

Debt Collection

Creditors often file civil cases to collect unpaid debts. These cases show up in district court for amounts under $20,000. The records show the original amount owed, any payments made, and the judgment against the debtor.

Landlord-Tenant Matters

Disputes between landlords and tenants often end up in civil court. Common issues are evictions, security deposit fights, and lease violations. These cases are usually heard in district court because of the amounts involved.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Access to civil court records in Clay County is controlled by Alabama state law. Several statutes and court rules set out the public's right to view court records.

Alabama Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, Alabama residents have the right to look at and copy public records. The law says courts should lean toward giving out records. When an agency refuses to provide records, it must prove that an exception applies. Court records are generally public unless sealed by court order or protected by a specific law.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect on January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says that court records are open for looking at and copying unless a statute, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that may be blacked out or sealed. This includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and info about minors.

Sealed Records

Some civil court records may be sealed by court order. Parties can ask for sealing for various reasons, such as protecting trade secrets or private business info. Settlement agreements are sometimes sealed at the request of both parties. To get sealed records, you usually need a court order.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within certain time periods called statutes of limitations. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, written contract claims have a six-year limit. Personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years per Section 6-2-38. These deadlines affect what cases you might find in the court records for a given time period.

Court Filing Fees

If you plan to file a civil case in Clay County, you will need to pay filing fees. Under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71, filing fees vary based on the type and value of your case.

Small Claims Filing Fees

Small claims cases under $1,500 have a $35 filing fee. For small claims between $1,500 and $6,000, the fee is $96. These lower fees make small claims court more accessible for everyday disputes.

District Court Filing Fees

For district court civil cases where the amount in dispute is between $6,000 and $20,000, the filing fee is $219. This fee is due when you file your initial complaint.

Circuit Court Filing Fees

Circuit court civil cases under $50,000 have a $197 filing fee. Cases over $50,000 require a $297 filing fee. Domestic relations cases have a separate $145 filing fee.

Copy and Service Fees

Beyond filing fees, there are other costs. Under Alabama Code Section 12-19-73, there are fees for serving defendants in civil cases. Witness subpoenas cost $12 to issue per Section 12-19-74. Copy fees vary but are generally reasonable for standard photocopies. Certified copies cost more than regular copies.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records may connect to records kept by other offices in Clay County. These other sources can give you more context for your research.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When a creditor wins a civil judgment, they may record it as a lien against the debtor's real property. These lien records are kept by the Clay County Probate Judge. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to the debtor's real property in any county where recorded. Searching property records can show outstanding judgments.

Probate Court Records

The Probate Court handles estates, wills, and guardianships. If a civil case involves a deceased person's estate or someone under guardianship, related records may be in the Probate Court. The Probate Judge's office is also in the Clay County Courthouse.

Federal Court Records

Clay County is within the Middle District of Alabama, with the federal courthouse in Montgomery. Cases involving federal questions or parties from different states with amounts over $75,000 are filed in federal court. Federal records are available through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil judgments and ongoing lawsuits. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama sits in Montgomery. A bankruptcy filing may stop collection on civil judgments. These records can be searched through PACER.

Legal Assistance Resources

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

Legal Services Alabama

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

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. First-time consultations cost no more than $50 for 30 minutes. This service can help you find a private attorney if you do not qualify for free legal aid.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free self-help guides, court forms, and legal info for people handling civil matters on their own. The site covers small claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer disputes, and other common civil topics.

Pro Se Litigants

If you cannot afford a lawyer and do not qualify for free legal aid, you can speak for yourself in civil court. This is called appearing pro se. The clerk's office can give you blank court forms and general info about how things work. Staff cannot give legal advice. Alabama Legal Help has guides for common pro se situations.

Search Civil Court Records

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

Cities and Towns in Clay County

Clay County has several small municipalities. Civil court records for residents of these towns are kept at the county level by the Circuit Clerk in Ashland.

Ashland is the largest town in the county and serves as the county seat. Other communities include Lineville and Delta. All of these are small towns with populations well under 10,000. There are no cities in Clay County that meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

The nearest larger cities are in neighboring counties. Residents who need to travel for work or business may have civil matters in multiple jurisdictions. The clerk's office can help you determine which county handles a specific case based on where the events occurred or where the defendant lives.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Clay County or are close by. Each has its own Circuit Clerk office for civil court records.

Coosa County is part of the same 40th Judicial Circuit as Clay County, meaning the same circuit judges hear cases in both counties. Talladega County to the north is in the 30th Judicial Circuit and has the larger city of Talladega. Randolph County to the east is in the 5th Judicial Circuit.