Search Covington County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Covington County document lawsuits, judgments, and legal disputes filed through the 22nd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk office in Andalusia keeps these files. The public can access them. Whether you need to look up a case, check a judgment, or research court filings, you can get records through the Andalusia courthouse or the Alacourt online system. Covington County sits in south Alabama near the Florida border. Andalusia is the county seat and serves as the hub for all court services. The 22nd Circuit covers Covington County only. This means judges and court resources stay focused on local matters. Staff at the Circuit Clerk office handle new case filings and records requests. They can point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to start.

County Information

Circuit Clerk Office

The Covington County Circuit Clerk handles all civil court records for the county. Amber Hathcock serves as the elected Circuit Clerk. She manages day-to-day work at the courthouse in Andalusia. The office takes in new civil filings, keeps case files, and responds to public records requests. Staff also handle jury tasks and collect court costs from the people involved in cases. If you need to file a lawsuit, get copies of court papers, or check on case status, this is where you go.

Physical Location

Online Access

Covington County civil court records are online through the Covington County Alacourt portal. This statewide system lets you search for cases by party name or case number. You can use it from any computer with internet. You will need to set up an account to see full case details. District case lookups run $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. The database includes civil, family, criminal, and traffic cases. Basic search results show case info at no charge. Viewing filed papers requires payment.

For cases that went up on appeal, the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal offers free access to records from the Court of Civil Appeals and Supreme Court of Alabama. This can be useful when looking into how a trial court ruling turned out on appeal. You can search by case name or number and view the full text of opinions.

Civil Cases in Covington County

The 22nd Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters for Covington County. Different courts handle different size disputes based on how much money is at stake. Here is how it breaks down. The court you file in depends on what you are asking for.

Circuit Court Civil Division

Circuit Court takes civil cases where more than $20,000 is at stake. These are bigger disputes. They often take longer to resolve. You see personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks, slip and falls, and other accidents. Breach of contract cases show up when business deals go wrong. Real estate disputes over property lines, easements, or failed sales land here too. Claims against doctors and hospitals go through Circuit Court. So do fights between companies. The Circuit Court also has sole power over equity cases. That means orders to stop something or make someone do something, where money alone does not fix the problem. Expect these cases to take from several months to over a year based on how complex they get.

District Court Civil Division

District Court picks up civil cases in the middle range. The amount in dispute falls between $6,000 and $20,000. Things move a bit faster here than in Circuit Court. Debt collection cases make up a big chunk of the docket. Credit card firms, medical providers, and other creditors file suit when people do not pay. Landlord-tenant disputes are common too. You see fights over unpaid rent or damage to rental units. Gripes against businesses, disputes over services, and property damage claims round out the typical load. Most district civil cases wrap up in a few months if neither side drags things out.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a branch of District Court that handles disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple enough that regular people can use it without hiring a lawyer. Many folks handle their own case and do just fine. Filing is not hard. The clerk staff can help you fill out the forms right. Typical cases involve deposit disputes when renters move out. You also see minor contract problems where someone did not hold up their end of a deal. Small debts show up a lot, along with fights over goods or services. Hearings are less formal than regular court. Judges keep things moving and try to cut through the legal talk so everyone can follow what is happening.

Domestic Relations Cases

Family law matters are civil cases but follow their own rules. Divorces where couples split up property and debts come through here. Child custody battles over who the kids live with and when they visit. Child support cases to set or change how much a parent pays. Alimony gets handled here too. So do protection orders when someone needs the court to keep another person away. These cases have special steps because of how personal they are. There are separate forms, different timelines, and sometimes different courtrooms.

Legal Framework for Records Access

Alabama state law governs how civil court records are kept and who can look at them. Several statutes directly affect your ability to get records in Covington County.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. The law says courts should read it broadly to favor public access. When someone asks for records and the government says no, the government has to prove why an exemption should apply. Civil court files held by the Circuit Clerk fall under this law. This means you can ask for case papers, filings, and judgments.

Court Filing Fees

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 lays out what it costs to file civil cases in Alabama courts. Small claims cases seeking less than $1,500 have a $35 filing fee. For claims between $1,500 and $6,000, the fee goes up to $96. District Court filings cost $219. Circuit Court cases under $50,000 need $197 to file. Cases seeking more than $50,000 cost $297. These fees apply across Alabama, including Covington County. If you cannot afford the filing fee, judges can waive it. You fill out a form showing your income and expenses.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for public viewing and copying unless a law, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of sensitive info that clerks may black out or that courts may seal from view. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some info about minors fall into guarded groups. Most civil case papers stay fully open to the public. The clerk office can tell you if any part of a record has been sealed or blacked out.

Circuit Court Jurisdiction

Alabama Code Section 12-11-30 establishes that circuit courts have original jurisdiction over civil actions where more than $20,000 is in controversy. Circuit courts also have exclusive jurisdiction over matters in equity. This statute draws the line between which cases belong in circuit court versus district court, affecting where you file and where you look for records.

Statutes of Limitations

Alabama law puts time limits on how long you have to file different types of civil lawsuits. Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to bring that claim. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, written contracts have a six-year statute of limitations. Oral contracts also get six years. Personal injury and property damage claims face a shorter two-year deadline under Section 6-2-38. Medical malpractice has a two-year limitation plus a four-year statute of repose under Section 6-5-482. The clock starts ticking from when the cause of action accrues, which is usually when the harm occurred or was discovered.

How to Get Civil Court Records

In Person Visits

Go to the Circuit Clerk office at the Covington County Courthouse on Court Square in Andalusia. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license or state ID card. Tell the staff what case you are looking for. Having a case number makes the search go much faster. If you only know the names of people involved, they can still find it. But expect it to take longer. You can look at the case file at the counter and ask for copies of any papers you need. Standard copies cost between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Some situations require that official stamp. Most requests get handled the same day while you wait. Harder searches might take longer.

Online Searches

Visit covington.alacourt.gov to search records from your home computer. First you need to create an account with a username and password. Then you can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case info for free but charges to see full details and papers. District cases cost $19.99 to unlock. Circuit cases run $29.99. The online system works around the clock. This is handy when you cannot get to Andalusia during normal hours. Once you pay, you can print or download the papers you need.

Mail Requests

Write to the Circuit Clerk at 1 Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420. In your letter, include the full names of all parties to the case. Give a rough date range for when the case might have been filed. This helps narrow it down. Describe what type of case it was if you can. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Circuit Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can mail papers back to you. Response time usually runs 5 to 10 business days. It depends on how busy the office is and how many cases match your search.

Information That Helps

The more details you can give, the easier and faster the search goes. Case numbers are the gold standard. They point straight to the file. Without that, gather the full legal names of everyone involved. Think about when the case was filed. Even just knowing the year helps narrow things down. Know what type of case it was if you can. Was it small claims, regular civil, domestic, or something else? Good info saves time for you and for the clerk staff trying to help you.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records connect to records kept by other offices. These secondary sources can fill in gaps or give you a more complete picture of a situation.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien against the loser's real property. These liens get filed with the Covington County Probate Judge. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to real property in whatever county where it gets recorded. A property records search might turn up judgments you did not know about. The Probate Judge office is at the courthouse complex in Andalusia. You can check both offices in one trip.

Federal Court Records

Some civil disputes end up in federal court instead of state court. That happens when federal law is at issue. It also happens when the parties are from different states with more than $75,000 at stake. Covington County falls in the Middle District of Alabama. The main federal courthouse sits in Montgomery. Federal civil records are available through PACER. This is the online access system for federal courts. PACER charges $0.10 per page to view papers. There is a cap on charges per item.

Bankruptcy Records

When someone involved in a civil case files for bankruptcy, it changes everything about the lawsuit. Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that pauses most civil litigation. Creditors might not be able to collect on judgments. Bankruptcy records are federal records available through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles cases for Covington County residents who file bankruptcy.

Business Entity Records

Civil cases involving companies often benefit from a check with the Alabama Secretary of State. Business entity records show who runs a company. They show who the agent is for service of process. They also show whether the business is in good standing. This matters when you need to serve legal papers on a business. It also helps if you want to verify who you are dealing with before filing suit.

UCC Filings

The Secretary of State also maintains Uniform Commercial Code filings that show security interests in personal property. If someone gave a creditor a security interest in equipment, vehicles, or other goods, a UCC search can reveal that. These records can affect who gets paid first when assets get sold to satisfy judgments.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter in Covington County but cannot afford an attorney, several organizations provide free or low-cost legal services.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents statewide. They handle housing disputes, family law matters, consumer problems, and public benefits cases. To find out if you qualify, call their statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. Staff will ask about your household income and the type of legal problem you have. If you meet the income guidelines, they may be able to represent you or provide advice and forms.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service that connects people with attorneys in their area. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get matched with a lawyer who handles your type of case. Initial consultations cost $50 or less for 30 minutes. The service operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This is a good option if your income is too high for free legal aid but you still need help finding the right attorney.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free legal information online. The site has court forms, step-by-step guides, and educational materials about common civil law issues. If you plan to represent yourself in a case, this is a good place to start learning about the process. The site covers topics like landlord-tenant law, small claims procedures, debt collection defense, and family law basics.

Volunteer Lawyers Programs

Several volunteer lawyer programs serve different regions of Alabama. These programs connect people who cannot afford attorneys with lawyers who donate their time. While Covington County does not have a dedicated local program, statewide resources may be available. Contact Legal Services Alabama for referrals to volunteer attorney opportunities that might help with your case.

Cities in Covington County

Covington County includes Andalusia, the county seat, along with Opp, Red Level, Florala, and several smaller communities. Civil court records for residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Andalusia.

Covington County has no cities with a population over 100,000. Andalusia is the largest city with about 8,600 residents, followed by Opp with around 6,600 people. Florala sits on the Alabama-Florida border and has roughly 1,800 residents. All of these communities are served by the same courthouse in Andalusia. Residents needing civil court services go to the Covington County Courthouse regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

Covington County shares borders with six other Alabama counties. If you need court records from a case filed in one of these neighboring counties, you will need to contact that county's Circuit Clerk office directly. Each county maintains its own records separately.

Coffee County to the east includes Enterprise and the 12th Judicial Circuit. Geneva County lies to the southeast and shares the 33rd Circuit with neighboring Henry County. Escambia County borders to the southwest along the Florida state line. Conecuh County sits to the west in the 35th Circuit. Crenshaw County is to the north in the 12th Circuit. Butler County lies to the northwest in the 4th Circuit. Each operates independently with its own Circuit Clerk handling local records.