Search Lamar County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Lamar County are filed and kept by the Circuit Clerk in Vernon. Vernon is the county seat. The 24th Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters here. It shares judges with Fayette and Pickens counties. This small rural county in northwest Alabama sees fewer civil filings than big cities. But the same state laws and steps apply to all cases. Whether you need to look up a judgment, find old case files, or check on pending litigation, the clerk's office can help. You can search online through the Alacourt system. You can also visit the courthouse in person during normal hours. The Circuit Clerk keeps records of lawsuits, judgments, liens, and other civil matters going back many years.

Lamar County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Lamar County. Sondra Brooks holds this elected job. She runs the daily work of the clerk's office. Staff process new filings. They also keep up existing case files and issue certified copies of court documents when asked. The office sits in the Lamar County Courthouse in downtown Vernon. It is a small office but handles all the county's civil record needs.

When you visit the clerk's office, you can search for civil court records, get copies, and file new cases. The staff can help you find records even if you have few details about a case. Bring what you can. Names, dates, and case types all help. This speeds up the search process quite a bit. The staff is used to helping folks who only have partial info to go on.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Lamar County civil court records are online through the statewide Alacourt system. This lets you search for cases from home or work. No need to drive to Vernon. The system works the same way in all Alabama counties. You can look up cases any time of day or night.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal for Lamar County lets you search civil court records by party name or case number. You need to make a free account first. Viewing full case details costs money. District court cases run $19.99. Circuit court cases run $29.99. The fee covers access to all documents in that case. Once you pay, you can view and print what you need.

What You Can Find Online

Through Alacourt, you can look up current and past civil cases. Check case status. View filing dates. See who is involved in the case. The system shows docket entries, hearing dates, and how cases ended. For some cases, you can view scanned images of actual court documents. Not all older records have been put online yet. Historical cases may need an in-person visit to the courthouse.

In-Person Record Requests

If you want to search records in person, visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours. Staff can help you find records even with partial info. Standard copies are usually ready the same day. Certified copies take longer. They need the clerk's seal and signature, which adds time to the process.

Mail Requests

You can also ask for civil court records by mail. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 338, Vernon, AL 35592. Include the case number if you know it. If not, give party names and dates. Include a check or money order for copy fees. Call first to find out how much. Processing takes one to two weeks. It depends on how hard your request is to fill.

Types of Civil Cases in Lamar County

Lamar County courts handle the same types of civil matters as other Alabama counties. The circuit court and district court split cases based on money involved. Knowing which court handles your type of case matters. It helps when you search for records or plan to file a lawsuit. Pick the wrong court and you may have to start over.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, circuit courts have general jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $20,000. These include:

• Personal injury lawsuits from car crashes, slip and falls, and other accidents
• Medical malpractice claims
• Major contract disputes
• Business litigation
• Real property disputes and boundary issues
• Fraud and misrepresentation claims

The circuit court also has sole say over equity matters. The dollar amount does not matter for these cases. Equity cases include injunctions, forcing people to do what a contract says, quiet title actions, and declaratory judgments. If you need a court order to stop someone from doing something, that goes to circuit court. Same if you need to make someone take a specific action.

District Court Civil Cases

Lamar County District Court handles civil matters up to $20,000 as provided by Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common district court civil cases include:

• Landlord-tenant disputes and evictions
• Debt collection lawsuits
• Smaller contract claims
• Property damage claims
• Consumer disputes

Small Claims

Small claims court gives you a simpler, faster way to solve disputes under $6,000. The process is less formal than regular civil court. Many people handle small claims cases without a lawyer. It is designed for that. Common small claims matters include unpaid bills, minor property damage, security deposit fights, and broken contracts. The forms are straightforward and the court staff can point you in the right direction.

The 24th Judicial Circuit

Lamar County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. So are Fayette and Pickens counties. These three counties share judges. Circuit judges rotate among the courthouses. They travel between county seats to hear cases. This setup has worked for many years in this part of Alabama.

This means Lamar County has its own courthouse and clerk. But the judges also serve the neighboring counties. The circuit handles criminal cases as well as civil matters. For civil cases, this usually works just fine. You file your case in Lamar County with the Circuit Clerk. A circuit judge hears it in the Vernon courthouse. You do not have to go to another county.

The shared circuit can sometimes affect timing. Judges must split their time among three courthouses. This may affect when hearings get set. But for record searches and case filings, you deal only with the local clerk's office. Each county keeps its own records. What happens in Fayette stays in Fayette, and so on.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Lamar County follow the statewide fee schedule set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees are the same across all Alabama counties.

Copy Fees

Standard copies of court documents cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page at the clerk's office. Certified copies run $1.00 to $5.00 per page. There is also a certification fee on top of that. The exact cost depends on the document type. If you need an apostille or other proof, that costs more.

Fee Waivers for Hardship

If you cannot pay filing fees, you can ask for a waiver. The court needs you to file a form that explains your money situation. This is called an affidavit of hardship. The judge looks at your request and decides yes or no. Approval is not automatic. You must show that you truly cannot pay. Bring proof of your income and expenses if you have it.

Time Limits for Filing Civil Cases

Alabama law sets deadlines for filing civil lawsuits. These time limits vary by case type. Miss the deadline and you usually lose the right to sue. This is true even if you have a good claim. Here are the main deadlines that apply in Lamar County civil cases. Keep these dates in mind and act before time runs out.

Two-Year Deadline

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-38, you have two years to file:

• Personal injury claims
• Property damage claims
• Wrongful death lawsuits (from date of death)
• Most other tort actions

Six-Year Deadline

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file:

• Written contract disputes
• Trespass to real property
• Trespass to personal property
• Recovery of money on a loan

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims have special rules. You usually have two years from the act or mistake. A discovery rule may push out the deadline in some cases. But there is a hard stop at four years. This is called a statute of repose. No medical malpractice case can be filed more than four years after what happened. This is true even if you did not find out about the harm until later.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Your right to access civil court records in Lamar County comes from Alabama state law and court rules. The law supports broad public access. There are some limits for privacy and safety, but most records are open. The goal is to keep courts open and let people see what happens in their justice system.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives every Alabama resident the right to inspect and copy public records. Courts must interpret this law broadly in favor of disclosure. If an agency denies access, they bear the burden of proving an exemption applies. Civil court records are public unless a judge has sealed them or a statute protects specific information.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) confirms that court records are open for inspection and copying unless law or court order says otherwise. The rules list categories of information that may be redacted, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth for minors, and certain medical information.

Sealed Records

Some civil records get sealed by court order. A judge may seal records to protect trade secrets, confidential business information, or sensitive personal matters. Settlement agreements are sometimes sealed at the parties' request. If a record is sealed, the clerk cannot provide access without a court order authorizing disclosure.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to records kept by other agencies. These related sources can give you a fuller picture of a person's legal and financial situation.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien against the debtor's real property. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to real property in any county where it is recorded. The Lamar County Probate Judge maintains property records including recorded judgments. A property search can reveal outstanding judgment liens.

Federal Court Records

Lamar County falls within the Northern District of Alabama. Federal court sits in Birmingham, about 75 miles east. Cases involving federal law, constitutional claims, or diversity jurisdiction (parties from different states with over $75,000 at stake) go to federal court. Search federal records through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil judgments and collection efforts. When someone files bankruptcy, most civil collection actions must stop. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama handles bankruptcy cases for Lamar County residents. These records are also available through PACER.

UCC Filings

The Alabama Secretary of State maintains Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. These show security interests in personal property, such as liens on vehicles, equipment, and inventory. UCC searches can reveal existing encumbrances before you enter a business transaction.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter in Lamar County, several organizations offer free or reduced-cost legal services.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. Not everyone qualifies. You must meet income guidelines. Contact them at 1-866-456-4995 to check eligibility and apply for assistance.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you do not qualify for free legal aid, the Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get a referral. The initial consultation costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. This helps you find an attorney who handles your type of case.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help offers free self-help guides, court forms, and legal information online. The site covers small claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer problems, and more. It is designed for people who want to handle civil matters on their own without a lawyer.

Self-Representation

You have the right to represent yourself in civil court. This is called proceeding pro se. For small claims and simpler matters, many people do this successfully. The clerk's office can provide forms and basic procedural information, though staff cannot give legal advice. For complex cases involving large amounts or complicated legal issues, hiring an attorney is usually a good idea.

Search Civil Court Records

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from Lamar County and other Alabama locations.

Cities in Lamar County

Lamar County is a rural county with no cities meeting the 100,000 population threshold for major city pages. Civil court records for all Lamar County residents and businesses are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Vernon. The county includes several smaller communities:

• Vernon (county seat)
• Sulligent
• Kennedy
• Millport

Residents of these communities who need civil court records should contact the Circuit Clerk's office in Vernon.

Nearby Major Cities

The following cities over 100,000 population are near Lamar County:

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Lamar County. Each maintains its own Circuit Clerk office for civil court records.