Search Escambia County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Escambia County include lawsuits, judgments, contract disputes, and other civil matters. These all go through the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk office in Brewton keeps all civil case files. They give public access to these documents too. Escambia County sits in the southwestern corner of Alabama, right next to Florida. The county handles civil cases for folks across its rural areas and small towns. Whether you need to look up a pending lawsuit, check on a past judgment, or get copies of court papers, the Circuit Clerk office and online systems offer ways to find what you need. Civil records here go back many years. They cover everything from small claims disputes to major cases in circuit court.

Escambia County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of civil court records in Escambia County. Jamie Stokes serves as the Circuit Clerk. She oversees the filing, upkeep, and retrieval of all court documents. The office handles new civil case filings and manages existing records. They also process requests for copies. Staff can help with searches by party name or case number, and they know the system well.

When visiting in person, bring valid ID. Also bring any case details you have. The more info you can give, the faster staff can find the records you need. If you only have a party name, they can still search. It may take longer though. A case number speeds things up quite a bit since records are sorted by that number.

What Records Does the Circuit Clerk Maintain?

The Circuit Clerk keeps records for all civil matters filed in Escambia County courts. This includes complaints and petitions that start a case. It also covers answers and motions from both sides, court orders from the judge, final judgments, and appeal notices. The office stores both circuit court and district court civil records. Small claims cases fall under the district court side and are kept here too.

Each case gets a unique number when filed. The number format shows the year, type, and sequence. For instance, CV-2025-000345 would be a civil case filed in 2025. Having this number makes it much faster to pull the exact records you want. Without it, staff must search by name. That can return many results if the name is common.

Online Access to Escambia County Civil Records

You can search Escambia County civil court records online. Two main options exist. The first is the statewide Alacourt system. The second is the local county portal. Online access is often the quickest way to check if a case exists and see basic case info. Many people prefer this to driving to the courthouse.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com gives access to trial court records across all Alabama counties. That includes Escambia. You must create an account to use the system. Once logged in, search by party name or case number. District court case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. The system shows case details, party names, and lists of filed documents.

Alacourt is run by the Administrative Office of Courts. It covers all 67 Alabama counties in one system. This makes it handy if you need to search records in more than one county. You do not have to visit each courthouse. Data is updated often, so recent filings show up in the system.

Escambia County Online Portal

Escambia County also has local access through escambia.alacourt.gov. This portal links to the same Alacourt database. It is set up just for Escambia County though. Some people like this when they only need records from one county. The search process is the same. Fees match the main Alacourt site.

Alabama Appellate Courts

Civil cases that get appealed move to the appellate courts. You can search these records through the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. This free portal has records from the Court of Civil Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court. Civil appeals where the amount is under $50,000 go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Cases over $50,000 go straight to the Supreme Court.

Types of Civil Cases in Escambia County

Civil court records in Escambia County come from cases at different court levels. The amount in dispute tells you which court handles the case. The type of matter plays a role too. Understanding this helps you know where to look for records.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The 21st Judicial Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount is over $20,000. This rule comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. Common circuit court civil matters include personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks, medical malpractice claims, and major contract disputes. Business fights, real estate disputes, and building defect cases also land here. The circuit court has sole power over equity matters like injunctions. These cases tend to be complex. They often involve discovery, depositions, and lots of motions before trial.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil cases where the amount is $20,000 or less. This is set by Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Typical cases include smaller contract disputes and property damage claims. Debt collection actions, landlord-tenant fights, and consumer issues also fall here. District court rules are simpler than circuit court. Cases usually move faster from filing to resolution.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court for disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple and laid back. People often represent themselves. They do not need to hire an attorney. Common small claims matters include unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, minor property damage, and breach of simple contracts. Filing fees are lower. Hearings get set quickly too. This court works well for simple disputes that do not need a lot of legal steps.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are established by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply statewide, including in Escambia County. The fee is paid when you file a new case.

Copy and Certification Fees

Getting copies of court papers means extra fees beyond the filing fee. Standard copies cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page at most Alabama courthouses. Certified copies cost more. They run $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee on top. Call the Circuit Clerk office to get exact costs before you ask for documents. Payment is usually by check, money order, or cash. Some offices take credit cards too.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the filing fee, you may ask the court to waive it. You file an affidavit of hardship. This form shows your income, costs, and money situation. The judge looks at the affidavit and decides whether to grant the waiver. This option exists under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. Fee waivers are meant for people who truly cannot pay. They are not for those who just prefer not to.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law establishes the right to access court records. Knowing these laws helps you understand what records you can get and how the process works.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect and copy public records. Court records are generally public unless a specific exemption applies. The law says it must be read broadly in favor of disclosure. When someone refuses to give you records, they bear the burden of proving an exemption covers those documents.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy went into effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for viewing and copying. A statute, rule, or court order can say otherwise though. The rules list over 90 types of info that may be kept private or blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and certain info about minors. Even with these rules, most civil court records stay open to the public.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within certain time limits. These are called statutes of limitations. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, actions on written contracts have a six-year limit. Personal injury and property damage claims have a two-year limit under Section 6-2-38. Medical malpractice claims fall under Section 6-5-482. They have a two-year limit and a four-year cap overall. Missing these deadlines usually means you cannot file the case at all.

Records Retention

Courts keep records for set periods based on case type. Civil case files are often kept for good or for very long terms. This means older cases from years back may still be around. Some records get stored off-site after a case closes. Asking for stored records can take extra time. Staff may need to pull them from a warehouse or other spot.

How to Get Escambia County Civil Court Records

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton. Bring valid ID and any case details you have. Tell the staff what records you need. They can search by party name or case number. You can view files at the courthouse. You can also request copies of certain documents. Standard copies are usually ready the same day. Certified copies may take a bit longer.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 557, Brewton, AL 36427. Include the full names of the parties involved, an approximate filing date if you know it, the type of case, and your return address. Enclose a check or money order made payable to the Circuit Clerk to cover the copy fees. If you do not know the exact cost, call ahead or send extra and ask for a refund of any overage. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a response, maybe longer during busy periods.

Online

Search through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com or use the Escambia County portal at escambia.alacourt.gov. Create an account, find the case you need, and pay the search fee. You can see case details, party names, and document lists online. Some documents can be downloaded right away. Online access is often the fastest method to check whether a case exists and to get basic information about it.

Public Records Request

For records that are not easily available through normal channels, you may submit a formal public records request under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. Write a letter that describes the specific records you want as clearly as possible. There is no set deadline for responses under Alabama law, but most offices respond within a reasonable time. If your request is denied, the office must tell you why and cite the applicable exemption.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to other types of public records. These sources can provide useful background information or additional details.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When a plaintiff wins a money judgment in civil court, they can record it as a lien against the defendant's property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, judgment liens attach to real property in the county where recorded. The Escambia County Probate Judge maintains property records including deeds, mortgages, and recorded liens. Searching these records can reveal judgments that affect a piece of land.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases belong in federal court rather than state court. This happens when a case involves federal law or when the parties are from different states and the amount exceeds $75,000. Escambia County falls within the Southern District of Alabama. Federal civil records are available through PACER, which costs $0.10 per page up to a cap of $3.00 per document.

Bankruptcy Records

A party in a civil lawsuit may have filed for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy cases are heard in federal court. They can affect pending civil litigation and the ability to collect on judgments. Search bankruptcy records through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court operates in all three Alabama federal districts.

Business Entity Records

When a civil case involves a business, you may need information about that company. The Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records with details like registered agents and principal addresses. This can help with service of process or locating a party. Search the Secretary of State database online.

Legal Assistance in Escambia County

If you need help with a civil matter but cannot afford a lawyer, several resources exist in Alabama.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents across all 67 counties, including Escambia. They handle matters like housing disputes, consumer issues, family law, and public benefits. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to find out if you qualify for their services.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website offers self-help resources, court forms, and legal information. This is a good starting point if you are handling a civil matter without an attorney. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

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

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service. For a maximum of $50, you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney who handles your type of case. Call 1-800-392-5660 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Start Your Search

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

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County includes the cities of Brewton, Atmore, East Brewton, Flomaton, and several smaller communities. No city in Escambia County has a population over 100,000, so civil court matters for all residents are handled through the Circuit Clerk office in Brewton. The nearest major city is Mobile, which is in Mobile County to the west. Residents of all Escambia County cities file civil cases and search for civil records through the same county courthouse.

Nearby Counties

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