Search Cullman County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Cullman County show lawsuits, contract fights, and property claims filed through the 32nd Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk keeps all case files, court orders, and judgments at the Cullman County Courthouse. Records are open to the public under state law. You can search them online through Alacourt or get copies from the clerk's office. Need to look up a case or find an old judgment? You have a few ways to do it. The county handles circuit court cases (over $20,000) and district court cases (under $20,000). Small claims go to district court for amounts up to $6,000.

Cullman County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the keeper of all civil court records in Cullman County. Lisa P. McSwain holds this job now. She runs the filing, upkeep, and pulling of court papers. Her office takes in new case files. They keep the record of all court work. They give out copies to lawyers, people in cases, and anyone who asks for them. The staff knows the system well and can help you find what you need fast. They deal with hundreds of requests each month from folks who need court papers for all kinds of reasons.

When you visit the clerk's office, staff can help you search by name, case number, or date. They pull the file and let you look at it right there. Need copies? They make them while you wait. For certified copies you plan to use in court or send to other agencies, there is an extra fee on top of the page cost.

32nd Judicial Circuit

Cullman County makes up the whole 32nd Judicial Circuit. It does not share judges with any other county. This keeps things simple. All civil court work stays in the county. Circuit judges hear civil cases worth more than $20,000, equity matters, and appeals from district court.

The circuit court has broad reach over big civil cases. This includes personal injury suits, large contract claims, business fights, and property disputes. Cases that start in district court can be appealed to circuit court. Those rulings can then go up to the state Court of Civil Appeals.

How to Search Civil Court Records

You have three main ways to search for civil court records here. Each one has its own pros. It depends on what you need and how fast you need it. Some folks like to go online since it works any time of day or night. Others want to see the real files in person. And some just send a letter and wait for the clerk to do the work. Pick the one that fits your needs best.

Online Through Alacourt

The quickest way to find civil case info is through the Alacourt Public Access site. This state system lets you search court records from all 67 Alabama counties. Cullman is in there too. You need to make an account first. District court lookups cost $19.99 each. Circuit court lookups run $29.99. The system shows case facts, names, dates, and status. It runs all day and night, so you can search when it works for you.

Cullman County has its own site at cullman.alacourt.gov too. It ties into the state system. Some folks find this site easier when they just need Cullman records.

In Person at the Courthouse

Going to the clerk's office in person gives you direct access to case files. Bring ID. Head to Suite 303 on the third floor at 500 Second Ave SW. Tell staff what you want. They search their system. You can look through any public case file right there at the desk. The office is open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. They stop taking new requests about 30 minutes before closing time.

In-person visits work best when you need to look at many papers in a case file. The staff can answer your questions. They point you to the right forms if you plan to file something on your own.

By Mail

Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at 500 Second Ave SW, Suite 303, Cullman, AL 35055. Put in as much detail as you can about the case. Give the full names of the parties. Add the rough date when it was filed. Say what kind of civil case it was. Tell them if you need plain copies or certified ones. Put in a check or money order made out to Cullman County Circuit Clerk for the fees. The office will call you if the cost is more than what you sent.

Mail requests take one to two weeks. Old cases in storage take longer. For rush jobs, go online or visit in person.

Types of Civil Cases

The civil court records in Cullman County fall into groups based on the type of fight and how much money is at stake. The court level that hears your case depends on the dollar amount you claim. This split keeps the courts from getting clogged with small cases that can be solved fast at a lower level. Bigger cases with more money or harder legal issues go to circuit court where they get more time and care.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Cases worth more than $20,000 go to circuit court. These include big injury suits from car wrecks, medical malpractice claims, and major contract disputes. Business fights and real estate cases over land lines or who owns what also end up here. Class action suits do too. Circuit court also gets equity matters like injunctions and quiet title actions no matter the dollar amount.

District Court Civil Cases

Claims from $6,000 to $20,000 go to district court. You see contract disputes, property damage claims, and consumer cases here. Landlord-tenant fights over deposits or lease breaks also fall in this range. Debt collection cases do too. District court runs faster than circuit court. The rules are a bit simpler.

Small Claims

For disputes under $6,000, small claims court works well. It has a casual setting. Many folks go in without a lawyer. The rules are loose and things move fast. Common small claims cases include minor contract fights, deposit claims, unpaid debts, and small property damage cases.

Domestic Relations

Divorce gets its own track apart from regular civil matters. But other family cases show up in civil court records. These include custody changes, support enforcement, and fights over who gets what after a divorce is done.

Legal Framework for Records Access

Alabama law gives you the right to see civil court records. It also sets the rules for fees and how things work. The state wants court records to be open to the public in most cases. There are some things they keep sealed, but the bulk of civil case files are free to look at. Knowing your rights helps you get what you need without pushback from clerks who might not know the law as well as they should.

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every state citizen can look at and copy any public record. Court records fit this. The law leans toward letting people in. When someone says no to a record request, they must prove an exemption applies.

This means you can see civil court files without saying why you want them. The clerk can not ask why you care about a case. Some papers in the file may be sealed or have parts blacked out. But the case file as a whole stays public.

Court Fees

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets the fee chart for court filings and services. Filing fees depend on court level and dollar amount in the case. Copy fees run $0.50 to $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. Ask the clerk for the current fee list when you make your request.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Supreme Court set up rules for court record privacy as of January 1, 2025. These rules list 91 types of info that can be redacted or sealed. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, birth dates for minors, and some personal data. Even in public case files, you may find some parts blacked out.

Some case types get extra protection. Mental health cases, family law matters with children, and cases the court has sealed may not be open to the public. If you hit a sealed case, the clerk tells you records are not there. They can not say why.

Related Records Sources

Civil court cases often link to records in other offices. These other sources can give you more info about the people in a case, property at stake, or how things turned out. When you search one set of records and come up short, try looking in these other spots. You might find the piece you are missing there.

Probate Court Records

The Cullman County Probate Judge keeps property records like deeds, mortgages, and judgment liens. When someone wins a civil judgment, they often file it with the probate court. This puts a lien on the debtor's land. Searching probate records shows if judgments got recorded and what property they hit.

Revenue Commissioner Records

Property tax records from the Revenue Commissioner show who owned land and its assessed value. In property disputes or tax lien cases, these records give key background info. The Revenue Commissioner runs tax sales that may tie into civil suits over who owns what.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. This happens with federal law issues or when parties come from different states. Cullman County falls in the Northern District of Alabama. Federal civil records are on PACER for $0.10 per page. If you can not find a case in state court, check federal court too.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can stop civil cases through the automatic stay. They may wipe out debts tied to civil suits. Federal bankruptcy records are on PACER too. A bankruptcy search can show if someone in your civil case filed for protection.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter in Cullman County, there are groups that give free or cheap legal aid. Not everyone can pay for a lawyer, and these groups fill that gap. They handle housing cases, family matters, consumer issues, and more. Income limits apply for most programs, but if you qualify you can get real legal help at no cost. Even if you do not qualify for free help, some bar programs offer low-cost first meetings with a lawyer.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal aid to low-income folks in all 67 counties. They help with housing fights, family matters, consumer issues, and public benefits cases. Call 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help site has self-help tools. You can find court forms, legal guides, and step-by-step how-tos for common civil matters. Start here if you plan to go to court on your own.

Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program serves north central Alabama and covers Cullman County. They link up folks who qualify with lawyers who work for free. Call (205) 250-5198 to learn if you are eligible.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. For $50 or less, you get 30 minutes with a lawyer in your area of need. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Requesting Certified Copies

When you need court papers for official use, you want certified copies, not plain ones. Certified copies have the clerk's seal and signature. They say the copy is true to the original. Other courts, agencies, and banks accept them.

What You Need

To get certified copies, give the case number if you have it. If not, give full names and rough filing date so staff can find it. Say what papers you need certified. Some folks ask for the whole case file, but that gets pricey. Often you just need key orders or judgments.

Processing Time

For simple requests, the clerk's office can often give you certified copies the same day if you go in person. Harder requests or ones where records are in storage take a few days. Mail requests run one to two weeks. Got a deadline? Tell the clerk and ask about rush options.

Apostille and Authentication

If you need to use Cullman County court papers in another country, you may need an apostille from the Alabama Secretary of State. Get certified copies from the Circuit Clerk first. Then send them to the Secretary of State for authentication. Extra fees apply.

Filing Deadlines and Time Limits

Civil suits in Alabama must be filed on time. Miss the deadline and you lose the right to sue. It does not matter how good your case is. Here are some common time limits for civil matters.

Contract claims on written deals have six years under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34. Oral contract claims get six years too. Personal injury claims from car wrecks must be filed in two years under Section 6-2-38. Property damage claims also have two years. Medical malpractice has a two-year limit plus a four-year bar. Claims die four years after the act no matter when you found the injury.

Judgments last 20 years and can be renewed. If you want to collect on an old judgment, check the date to make sure it still works.

Start Your Record Search

Use this tool to look up civil court records in Cullman County and across Alabama.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cullman. They may have civil court records you need if the people in your case lived in more than one place or if the dispute crossed county lines.