Find Civil Court Records in Greene County

Civil court records in Greene County document lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and other civil matters. The Circuit Clerk office at PO Box 790 in Eutaw keeps all civil case files. They provide public access to court documents. Greene County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Alabama's Black Belt region. The county has fewer people than most, which means fewer cases. It also means limited online records. Pamela Tooson serves as the current Circuit Clerk. You can search records through Alacourt at greene.alacourt.gov. You can also visit the courthouse in person during normal hours. Staff can help you find cases by party name or case number. They will give you copies of documents when you need them.

Greene County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Greene County. Pamela Tooson serves as the current Circuit Clerk. Her office files new civil cases and keeps existing case files. They handle document requests and issue certified copies of court records. The staff can help with record searches. They can also explain how to get specific documents. Being a rural county, the office handles fewer cases than urban areas. This sometimes means faster service for record requests. The smaller caseload can work in your favor when you need something quickly.

Courthouse Location

The Greene County Courthouse sits on the town square in Eutaw, the county seat. The building has the Circuit Clerk office, courtrooms, and other county offices. Eutaw is a small town. Finding parking is not usually a problem. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring valid photo ID when you visit to request court records. The courthouse is an old building that has served the county for many decades. It is a good landmark in the center of town.

Online Civil Court Records Access

You can search Greene County civil court records online through Alacourt. This is the official statewide court records database. The county has its own portal at greene.alacourt.gov for local case searches. Keep in mind that online records may be more limited than in larger counties. Some older cases might only exist in paper form at the courthouse.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search civil court records from all 67 Alabama counties. Greene County is included. You need to create a free account to use the system. Search by party name or case number. District court case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. The fee lets you view and print court documents from that case.

Greene County Court Portal

The Greene County Court Portal gives direct access to local court records. This system is part of Alacourt. It uses the same login credentials. Greene County may have fewer online records than urban counties. This is especially true for older cases. Some documents may only be on paper at the courthouse. You might need to visit or call to get those older records.

What You Can Find Online

Online records usually include case filing info, party names, hearing dates, judgments, and some court orders. Not all documents are online. Older cases and some sensitive filings may only exist on paper at the courthouse. For a full case file, you may need to visit the Circuit Clerk office in person. You can also send a written request by mail if that works better for you.

Types of Civil Cases in Greene County

Civil court records cover a wide range of legal disputes where one party seeks money damages or other relief from another party. Greene County courts handle civil matters at different levels based on the amount in controversy.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The Greene County Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount is over $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These include personal injury lawsuits, big contract disputes, business cases, and property disputes. Circuit court also handles equity matters like injunctions. It takes appeals from district court judgments too. Cases at this level often need attorneys. They may take months or longer to finish. In a small county like Greene, the docket is not as full as in urban areas. This can mean faster results in some cases.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil matters where the amount is $20,000 or less per Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common case types include landlord-tenant disputes and evictions. Debt collection and minor contract disputes are common too. You also see property damage claims and consumer complaints here. District court is faster and less formal than circuit court. Many people handle their own cases at this level. You do not always need a lawyer for these smaller matters.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is part of district court. It handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The process is meant to be simple and quick. Many people represent themselves without a lawyer. Common small claims matters include deposit disputes, minor car accident damage, unpaid bills, and broken verbal agreements. Filing fees are lower here. Cases are usually heard within a few weeks. This is often the best choice for smaller disputes in Greene County.

How to Search Civil Court Records

There are several ways to find civil court records in Greene County depending on your needs and how quickly you need the information.

In-Person Searches

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Greene County Courthouse during normal hours. Bring valid photo ID. Give the staff as much info as you have about the case. This includes party names, rough dates, and case type. They can search the system and pull case files for you to look at. Standard copies cost around $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies have an extra fee. In a smaller office like Greene County, staff can often give more personal help. They have more time to work with you on your search.

Online Searches

Use Alacourt Public Access at pa.alacourt.com or the Greene County portal at greene.alacourt.gov. Create an account. Search by name or case number. Pay the fee to view documents. This is the fastest way if you know the case details and the records are online. Note that Greene County may have fewer online records than larger counties.

Written Requests

Mail a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 790, Eutaw, AL 35462. Include full party names and rough filing dates. Add the case type and your return address. Include a check or money order for fees payable to the Greene County Circuit Clerk. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a response. This works well if you cannot visit in person. It also works if the records you need are not online.

Public Records Requests

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, you have the right to inspect and copy public records. Submit a formal request if standard search methods do not work. The law requires liberal construction in favor of disclosure, and the burden is on the agency to prove if an exemption applies.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply statewide including in Greene County.

Copy and Certification Fees

Standard copies of court documents cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee that varies. Online access through Alacourt costs $19.99 for district cases and $29.99 for circuit cases. Call the Circuit Clerk office at (205) 372-3349 for current fee information.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot afford filing fees, you can ask the judge to waive them. You must file an affidavit of hardship. This shows that paying fees would be a burden. The judge reviews your income, expenses, and assets before deciding. Fee waivers are allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. The court wants to make sure money is not a barrier to justice.

Legal Aid and Free Resources

Several groups provide free or low-cost legal help to Greene County residents who need help with civil court matters. Being in a rural area, you may need to travel for some services. But help is out there. Do not let the rural location stop you from seeking aid.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid to qualifying low-income residents. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, and other civil matters. Contact the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. This organization serves all Alabama counties including Greene.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You pay a maximum of $50 for a 30-minute consultation with an attorney. This can help you understand your options if you need to file or respond to a civil case. The service is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help is a free online resource with self-help information, court forms, and legal guides. The site covers topics like landlord-tenant law, small claims court, debt collection, and family law. This is a good starting point if you need to handle a civil matter without a lawyer. The site includes forms and step-by-step guides for common procedures.

Tuscaloosa Resources

Since Greene County is a smaller rural area, residents sometimes travel to Tuscaloosa for legal services. The University of Alabama School of Law operates legal clinics that may serve qualifying clients from surrounding counties. Legal Services Alabama also has an office in Tuscaloosa at (205) 758-7503 that serves the region.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

Several Alabama statutes control how civil court records are created, maintained, and accessed. Understanding these laws helps you know your rights when requesting records.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. The law says it must be read broadly in favor of release. When an agency refuses to give records, they must prove an exemption applies. This law covers court records unless another law makes them private.

Court Record Fees

Alabama Code Section 36-12-41 lets agencies charge fair fees for copies of public records. The fees must match real costs. They cannot be used to block access. Most Circuit Clerk offices charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more but are needed for some legal uses.

Court Filing Fee Schedule

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 establishes the fee schedule for filing civil cases in Alabama courts. This statute sets uniform fees statewide, so the same fees apply in Greene County as in larger urban counties. The statute also provides for fee waivers in cases of financial hardship.

Court Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for inspection unless a statute, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of information that may be confidential or redacted, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain juvenile records.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Written contract claims have a six-year limit under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34. Personal injury and property damage claims have a two-year limit under Section 6-2-38. If you wait too long, you lose your right to bring the case. The clock starts when the harm happens, so act fast.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to records held by other agencies. These sources can provide additional information about parties or related matters in Greene County.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they may put it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens are filed with the Greene County Probate Judge. Searching property records can show judgments that have been recorded. The Probate office is in the Greene County Courthouse in Eutaw. It is on the same floor as most other county offices.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases fall under federal jurisdiction. Greene County is in the Northern District of Alabama. Federal civil records are accessible through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page viewed. Diversity cases and federal question matters get filed in federal court rather than state court.

Bankruptcy Records

If a party to a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can affect the lawsuit. Bankruptcy records are federal records available through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama handles Greene County cases. A bankruptcy filing can stop collection efforts and impact pending lawsuits.

Alabama Secretary of State

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records including registered agent information. This can be useful for service of process or locating parties to a lawsuit.

Start Your Search

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

Cities in Greene County

Greene County includes the town of Eutaw as the county seat along with several smaller communities. Civil court records for residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Eutaw.

Eutaw is the largest community in Greene County with a population of around 2,700. Other communities include Boligee, Forkland, and Union. None of the cities in Greene County exceed 100,000 population. The nearest major city is Tuscaloosa, located about 30 miles northeast. Residents who need legal resources not available locally often travel to Tuscaloosa for assistance.

Nearby Counties

Greene County borders five other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Circuit Clerk. Each county maintains its own records.