Search Lauderdale County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Lauderdale County document legal disputes filed in Circuit Court and District Court. The Circuit Clerk in Florence keeps these records. They include case filings, motions, court orders, and final judgments. Lauderdale County is part of the 31st Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Florence is the county seat. All court cases are heard there. You can get records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Alacourt online system. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 says civil court records are public documents that anyone can look at.

Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk's office is the main place to find civil court records in Lauderdale County. This office deals with all case filings for Circuit Court and District Court. Staff can help you search for records and give you certified copies of documents. Missy Homan is the current Circuit Clerk. Her office is in the courthouse in downtown Florence. The staff knows the filing system well and can point you in the right direction if you are not sure what you need. They handle a high volume of requests each day but work hard to keep wait times short.

The courthouse is at 200 South Court Street in downtown Florence. Bring a valid ID when you go in person. The clerk's staff can help you look up cases by name or case number. Plain copies are ready the same day in most cases. Certified copies may take a bit more time.

Online Access to Lauderdale County Records

You can search Lauderdale County civil court records online through Alacourt. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts runs this system. The county also has its own online portal for case searches. Both options let you look up records from home or work without driving to the courthouse. You just need a computer and a way to pay the search fees.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com lets you search cases from all over the state. This includes all Lauderdale County civil cases. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. You need to make an account to use the system. Search by party name or case number to find what you need.

Lauderdale County Court Portal

The Lauderdale County court portal at lauderdale.alacourt.gov gives you direct access to local case info. This portal is part of the Alacourt network but is set up just for Lauderdale County. You can search for civil cases, check case status, and see docket info.

AlaFile Electronic Filing

Lawyers and people who represent themselves can file civil papers online through the AlaFile system. You can use it for most civil case types in Lauderdale County. The system takes filings all day and night, every day of the week. This makes it easy to file when it works best for your schedule rather than only during office hours.

Types of Civil Cases in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County courts handle many types of civil cases. The amount of money at stake tells you which court hears the case. Small claims go to one court while big lawsuits go to another. This system helps move cases through faster since smaller disputes do not need the same level of process as large ones.

Circuit Court Cases

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $20,000 as stated in Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. The Lauderdale County Circuit Court takes on big lawsuits. These include injury claims, business fights, real estate cases, and contract disputes. Circuit Court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions.

District Court Cases

District Court handles civil cases where the sum in dispute is between $6,000 and $20,000. Per Alabama Code Section 12-12-30, these include landlord-tenant fights, consumer claims, property damage cases, and debt collection. District Court is less formal than Circuit Court. The rules are a bit more relaxed and cases tend to move faster through the system.

Small Claims Cases

Small Claims Court in Lauderdale County handles disputes under $6,000. This part of District Court is made to be quick and simple. Many people go to small claims court on their own without a lawyer. Common cases include unpaid debts, deposit fights, and small contract issues. Alabama Code Section 12-12-31 sets the rules for small claims.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Lauderdale County follow the state fee list set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. You must pay these fees when you file your complaint or petition. The court will not accept your papers without the fee unless you get a waiver. Make sure you have the right amount before you go to the clerk's office or send your paperwork by mail.

More fees may apply for service of process, subpoenas, and certified copies. Witness subpoenas cost $12 per Alabama Code Section 12-19-74. The Circuit Clerk can give you a full fee list if you ask.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay filing fees, you may ask for a fee waiver. Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 lets judges waive fees if you fill out a form showing you have money problems. You must prove that paying the fees would hurt you. The clerk's office has the forms you need to ask for a waiver.

How to Request Civil Court Records

There are three main ways to get copies of civil court records from Lauderdale County. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the records and if you can go to the courthouse. In-person visits are fastest for simple requests. Mail works if you are not in a rush. Online is best when you know the case number and want to see documents right away from your computer.

In-Person Requests

Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Florence. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk what records you need. Give party names, case numbers if you know them, and rough dates. Staff will search for the records. Plain copies are ready the same day in most cases. Certified copies may take one to two days.

Mail Requests

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 776, Florence, AL 35631. Put these things in your letter: full names of all parties, case number if you have it, type of case, and your mailing address. Include payment by check or money order to "Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk." Call first to check the fee amount. You should get a reply in 5 to 10 business days.

Online Requests

Use the Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com for the fastest results. Make an account, search for your case, and pay the fee to view documents. You can download and print records right away. District cases cost $19.99. Circuit cases cost $29.99.

Public Records Access Rights

Civil court records in Alabama are public records under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law gives every Alabama resident the right to look at and copy public records. The law leans toward letting people see records. When someone says no to giving you records, they must prove why an exception applies.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect on January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for viewing and copying unless a law, rule, or court order says no. The rules list 91 types of info that may be blacked out or sealed. Common ones include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some records about kids.

Records That May Be Sealed

Some civil court records may be sealed by court order. Settlement deals often have privacy terms in them. Cases with trade secrets, kids, or private info may be hard to get. If you cannot find a record, ask the clerk if it has been sealed. You may be able to file a motion to unseal records in some cases.

Statutes of Limitations for Civil Cases

Alabama law sets time limits for filing civil lawsuits. Wait too long and you lose your right to sue. These deadlines are called statutes of limitations. The time you have depends on the type of case. Once the deadline passes, courts will throw out your case even if you have a strong claim. This is why it is so important to act fast when you think you have a legal issue worth pursuing.

Six-Year Limitations

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file lawsuits for written contracts, trespass, and money you loaned to someone. This is one of the longer time limits in Alabama civil law.

Two-Year Limitations

Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 gives you two years to file injury claims, property damage suits, and most tort cases. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death per Alabama Code Section 6-5-410. The clock starts on the date of the harm.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims have special rules under Alabama Code Section 6-5-482. You have two years from the act or error to file suit. There is also a hard four-year deadline. A discovery rule may push back the deadline if the injury was not clear right away.

Related Record Sources

When looking into civil matters in Lauderdale County, other types of records may have useful info. These records are kept by other offices. Checking more than one source can help you get a fuller picture of a person or case. Property records, probate files, and federal court cases can all add to what you learn from the main civil court records.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

Civil judgments may be put on real property as liens in Lauderdale County. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien sticks to the debtor's land in the county where it is filed. The Probate Judge's office keeps property records. You can search for judgments and liens there.

Probate Court Records

The Lauderdale County Probate Court handles estate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships. Some civil disputes come up in probate cases. Deeds, mortgages, and liens are also filed with the Probate Judge. This office is a good place to check when you need records about land or property ownership in the county.

Federal Court Records

Lauderdale County is in the Northern District of Alabama for federal court. Civil cases with federal issues or parties from different states go to federal court. Federal records are on PACER at $0.10 per page.

Appellate Court Records

Civil cases appealed from Lauderdale County go to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or Supreme Court of Alabama. Appeals under $50,000 go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Appeals over $50,000 go straight to the Supreme Court. Find appellate records at publicportal.alappeals.gov.

Legal Assistance in Lauderdale County

If you need help with a civil court matter, some groups offer free or low-cost legal help to Lauderdale County residents. Not everyone can hire a lawyer. These programs try to fill that gap so people can still get their day in court. You may need to meet income limits to qualify, but it is worth asking about your options.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income families. They help with housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. The Northwest Alabama office serves Lauderdale County. Call 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website has free self-help tools for people handling civil matters on their own. You can find court forms, legal info, and step-by-step guides. Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission run the site.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get linked with a lawyer. First meetings cost up to $50 for 30 minutes. The service runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Northwest Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

This program links low-income residents with free lawyers in the Shoals area. Volunteer lawyers handle civil matters for people who cannot pay to hire one. Contact Legal Services Alabama to learn if you qualify for this help.

Cities in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County has several cities and towns. Florence is the county seat and largest city. Civil court matters for all places in the county are handled by the Lauderdale County courts in Florence. No matter which town you live in, you will file your civil cases at the courthouse in Florence.

Major communities in Lauderdale County include Florence, Killen, Rogersville, St. Florian, Anderson, Lexington, and Waterloo. Residents of these areas file civil cases at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Lauderdale County is in northwest Alabama along the Tennessee River. These nearby counties have their own Circuit Clerk offices and court systems. If you need records from a case filed in one of these counties, you will need to go to their courthouse or use their online portals.