Find Civil Court Records in Dale County

Civil court records in Dale County cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and other civil matters. These cases go through the 33rd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office in Ozark keeps these records. They make them open to the public. Dale County sits in southeast Alabama near Fort Novosel, the big military base that used to be called Fort Rucker. If you need to look up a civil judgment, track down case documents, or check on a pending lawsuit, you have options. Use the Alacourt online system or visit the courthouse in person. This page walks you through how to find and request Dale County civil court records using official sources.

Dale County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk keeps all civil court records in Dale County. Diann Spivey is the Circuit Clerk. She runs record keeping for the 33rd Judicial Circuit. Her office takes new case filings. They keep court documents, hand out certified copies, and answer public record requests. The staff can help you search for civil cases by name or case number. Just give them what info you have and they will point you in the right direction.

The Dale County Courthouse sits on Court Square in downtown Ozark. The building has the Circuit Clerk's office and courtrooms for Circuit and District Court all in one place. Street parking is around the square. There are public lots nearby too. Bring a valid photo ID when you go to the courthouse. They will ask to see it before you can request records.

Online Record Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search Dale County civil court records from home. Any place with internet works. You can search by party name or case number. Looking up district cases costs $19.99. Circuit cases cost $29.99. You will need to make an account first. The system shows case details, who the parties are, when things were filed, and what has happened. Some court documents may be there for you to view or download right away.

Dale County also has a local court website at dale.alacourt.gov. You can find info about court services, hearing schedules, and how things work there. This site does not let you search records. But it has good info about how the court system runs in Dale County. Check it out before your first visit to know what to expect.

Types of Civil Cases in Dale County

Dale County courts deal with many different kinds of civil disputes. Which court handles your case depends on the dollar amount involved.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The Dale County Circuit Court takes cases over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These bigger cases include major contract fights, personal injury claims, business lawsuits, and land disputes. Malpractice suits go here too. Circuit Court is also the only court that can handle equity matters. That means things like injunctions and orders to do or stop doing something specific.

District Court Civil Cases

Dale County District Court handles civil cases from $6,000 to $20,000. This comes from Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. These mid-sized cases often involve contract disputes, damage claims, landlord-tenant problems, and debt collection. District Court uses simpler rules than Circuit Court. That can make things move faster. You might get your day in court sooner here.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court in Dale County takes cases under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The whole point is to keep things simple and cheap. You fill out a basic form. Pay a small fee. Then you get your day in court. People often use small claims for security deposit fights, minor contract issues, and property damage. There is no jury in small claims court. Many people handle their own cases without a lawyer. It is set up so regular folks can use it.

Domestic Relations Cases

Family law matters go through Dale County Circuit Court. This includes divorce, custody battles, child support, adoption, and name changes. These records sometimes have restrictions on who can see them because they deal with kids and sensitive family matters.

How to Search Dale County Civil Records

Online Searches

Going online is the quickest way to find civil court records. Head to Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. Set up a free account. Then type in the name of someone in the case. If you already have a case number, use that instead. Basic results come up first. Pay the search fee to see everything. That includes the full case history and any documents on file. Both Circuit Court and District Court civil cases are in the system.

In Person at the Courthouse

Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at 100 Court Square Suite 3 in Ozark. Be there during normal business hours. Make sure you have your ID with you. Let the clerk know you want to look at civil court records. Give them what info you have. Names, rough dates, or what kind of case it was all help. The staff will help you find what you need. Looking at case files is free. If you want copies, that costs extra.

Written Requests

You can also send a letter to the Dale County Circuit Clerk asking for records. Put in the full names of everyone in the case. Add about when it was filed, what type of case it is, and how to reach you. Include payment for any fees. Make checks out to Dale County Circuit Clerk. Send everything to 100 Court Square Suite 3, Ozark, AL 36360. Figure on waiting 5 to 10 business days to hear back. Sometimes it takes longer if they are busy.

Public Records Requests

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, people in Alabama have the right to look at and copy public records. Court records are public most of the time. A judge might seal them. A law might say they are private. But that is the exception, not the rule. If you run into trouble getting records the normal way, file a formal public records request. Cite this statute when you do.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives people the right to see public records. Courts read this law broadly. That means more records are open to the public. If someone tells you no, you can go to court. Ask a judge to order them to give you access. The government has to prove why they should not hand it over. Section 36-12-41 says agencies can charge fair fees for making copies. Most of the time these fees are not too bad.

Court Record Privacy Rules

Alabama adopted the Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality. These went into effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open to look at. But some law, rule, or court order might say otherwise. There are 91 types of info that might need to stay private. Social Security numbers fall into this group. So do bank account details, medical records, and certain info about kids.

Civil Filing Requirements

If you want to file a civil lawsuit in Alabama, you have to follow certain steps. The complaint needs to say what happened. It should say what you want from the court. And it needs to explain why that court can hear the case. The Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure require you to serve the other side with the complaint and summons the right way. Once served, they have 30 days to file their answer.

Statutes of Limitations

You only have so long to file a civil lawsuit in Alabama. Time limits matter a lot here. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, lawsuits over written contracts have a six-year limit. For personal injury or property damage, Section 6-2-38 gives you just two years. Medical malpractice claims have a two-year limit. There is also a four-year outside deadline. Miss these cutoffs and you probably cannot sue at all.

Related Records in Dale County

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, it can become a lien on real estate. In Dale County, the Probate Judge records these judgment liens. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien sticks to whatever real property the debtor owns. This applies in the county where it gets recorded. The lien stays in place for ten years. You can renew it after that. Looking at property records will show you if someone has judgment liens against them.

The Dale County Probate Judge keeps all the deeds, mortgages, and other property records. Get in touch with the Probate Office at (334) 774-2280 if you need to search property records.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases with Dale County people end up in federal court. Dale County is part of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Federal courts handle cases about federal laws. They also take lawsuits between people from different states over $75,000. Bankruptcy goes there too. You can search federal court records through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Business Entity Records

When a civil case involves a company, the Alabama Secretary of State has business records that might help. Use the business entity database to look up registered agent info. You can also find who the officers are and the company's filing history. This info is useful for serving legal papers. It helps you find parties to a lawsuit too.

UCC Filings

The Secretary of State also keeps Uniform Commercial Code filings. These show security interests in personal property like vehicles, equipment, and inventory. UCC searches can reveal debts and liens that might matter in a civil case. The UCC search tool is available online.

Legal Help in Dale County

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal help to people with low incomes all across the state, including Dale County. They take on housing cases, family law matters, consumer problems, and public benefits issues. Call their intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to find out if you qualify for their services.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Volunteer Lawyers Program in South Alabama connects people who qualify with attorneys who will take their case for free. They handle civil legal matters for people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. This program serves residents in Dale County and the surrounding area. Contact them at (334) 265-0222 to learn more about what they offer.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help has free resources you can use to help yourself, court forms, and information about the law. Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission run the site. You will find information about common civil problems like small claims cases, landlord-tenant fights, and consumer issues.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service you can use. Call 1-800-392-5660 any weekday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The first meeting with a lawyer costs at most $50 for 30 minutes. They can put you in touch with attorneys who handle civil cases in Dale County.

Fort Novosel Legal Assistance

Military personnel and their families at Fort Novosel can get free legal help through the installation's Legal Assistance Office. They help with civil matters like landlord-tenant issues, consumer complaints, and family law. Active duty service members, retirees, and dependents are eligible. Contact the Legal Assistance Office at (334) 255-2891.

Start Your Search

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

Cities in Dale County

Dale County includes the cities of Ozark, Daleville, Level Plains, Midland City, Pinckard, and Newton. Civil court matters for people who live in these cities are handled at the Dale County Courthouse in Ozark. None of the cities in Dale County have enough population to get their own page on this site, so all civil court record requests go through the county.

Nearby Counties

Dale County shares borders with five other Alabama counties. Each one has its own Circuit Clerk who keeps civil court records for that county.