Find Civil Court Records in Limestone County

Limestone County civil court records are filed and kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Athens. Athens is the county seat. The 39th Judicial Circuit serves Limestone County alone. All civil case papers, from first complaints to final judgments, go through this office. The clerk's staff takes in new filings, updates case dockets, and handles public records requests each work day. If you need to look up a lawsuit or check on a judgment, the Circuit Clerk is your main source. You can also get copies of court orders here. Online access is there too through the statewide Alacourt system for those who want to search from home or work.

Circuit Clerk Office

The Limestone County Circuit Clerk keeps all civil court records for the 39th Judicial Circuit. Circuit Clerk Kelly M. Davis runs the office. She manages court filings, case dockets, and public records access. The office sits at the Limestone County Courthouse on Washington Street in downtown Athens. Staff can help you find civil cases and give you copies of court papers. The clerk's office handles both circuit court and district court civil matters. This means one stop for most civil record needs.

39th Judicial Circuit

Limestone County makes up the whole 39th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Circuit judges here hear civil, criminal, and family cases. The circuit has both a Circuit Court and a District Court. Civil cases worth more than $20,000 go to Circuit Court. Smaller ones are handled in District Court. The judges follow local court rules along with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. You can find court schedules and local rules through the Circuit Clerk's office. Just call or stop by to ask.

Filing and Copy Fees

Court filing fees in Alabama are set by state law under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. The Limestone County Circuit Clerk takes these fees when civil cases are filed. Copy fees for court records also follow state rules. You can pay with cash, checks, or money orders at the clerk's window. Credit cards may not be taken, so bring another form of payment just in case.

Fee waivers may be there if you cannot afford court costs. A judge can waive fees after looking at a hardship form you fill out. Ask the clerk's office for the fee waiver form and how to use it. This applies to both filing fees and copy fees in some cases. You will need to show proof of your income. Bring pay stubs, tax forms, or benefit letters when you apply.

Online Record Access

Limestone County civil court records can be searched through the Alacourt Public Access portal. This statewide system lets you look up cases by party name or case number. You need to make an account to use it. District court case searches cost $19.99 each. Circuit court searches are $29.99. Once you pay, you can view the case docket and party info. Scanned documents are also there to view or download.

What Records Are Online

The Alacourt system has basic case info for most civil matters filed in Limestone County. You can see who filed the lawsuit and who got sued. It shows when papers were filed and how the case ended. Many filings are there as PDF images you can view or download. Older cases from before the court went digital may have less info online. For those, you would need to call the clerk's office.

Search Tips

Getting good results from Alacourt takes some care. The system looks for exact name matches. So try different versions of a name. If John Smith does not work, try J. Smith or John A. Smith. Businesses can be tricky. They might be listed under their legal name, not a trade name. When you are not sure about spelling, try partial searches. Start with what you know and work from there.

Types of Civil Cases

The Limestone County courts handle many kinds of civil disputes. The value of your claim determines which court has jurisdiction over your case.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit Court handles civil cases where more than $20,000 is at stake. Common circuit court matters include personal injury lawsuits from car wrecks or work accidents. Medical malpractice claims go here too. So do major contract fights and business lawsuits. The circuit court also handles equity cases like injunctions. These larger cases often need attorneys. They can take a year or more to resolve.

District Court Civil Cases

District Court handles civil matters worth $20,000 or less. Many of these are debt cases brought by creditors. Landlord-tenant fights end up here too. Think evictions and security deposit claims. Property damage and consumer complaints go to district court. So do breach of contract cases under the limit. These cases tend to move faster than circuit court matters. You might get a court date within weeks.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is part of district court for fights under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple. You fill out a complaint form and pay a small fee. Then you get a court date. Most people handle small claims without a lawyer. Common cases include unpaid debts and damage to personal items. Disputes over services come up a lot too. The informal rules make it easier to tell your side of the story.

How to Request Civil Court Records

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 200 Washington St. W. in Athens during business hours. Bring a valid ID. The more you know about the case, the easier it will be for staff to help you. Names of the parties help. So does the rough filing date. You can look at case files at the clerk's office and ask for copies on the spot. Standard copies are usually ready the same day.

Mail Requests

To ask for records by mail, send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at 200 Washington St. W., Athens, AL 35611. Include the full names of all parties to the case. Add the rough date the case was filed if you know it. Say what type of case it was. Put your return address on the letter. Include payment by check or money order. Make it payable to Limestone County Circuit Clerk. Allow 5 to 10 work days for the clerk to process your request and mail copies back.

Phone Inquiries

You can call the Circuit Clerk at (256) 233-6406 with questions about civil court records. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and provide basic information. For copies of documents, you will generally need to visit in person, use Alacourt online, or submit a written request by mail. Phone staff can explain the process and let you know what fees apply.

Public Records Law

Court records in Alabama are mostly open to the public. Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives people the right to look at and copy public records. This includes records held by court clerks. The law says agencies should read it broadly. They should lean toward letting people see records. If access is denied, the agency has to prove why a record should be kept private.

What Records Are Public

Most civil court records are there for anyone who asks. Complaints, answers, motions, court orders, and judgments are all public record. You do not have to be part of the case to ask for copies. Journalists, researchers, businesses, and regular folks all have the same right of access. The clerk cannot ask why you want the records. You just pay the fee and get your copies.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Some court records are not public. A judge can seal case files to protect trade secrets, minor children, or sensitive personal info. Certain records are kept private by law. Under Alabama's court privacy rules that started in 2025, lawyers must black out Social Security numbers and bank account numbers before filing. Other private data must be removed too. If you ask for a sealed record, the clerk will tell you access is blocked.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records connect to other public records you might need to check. Here are some related sources in Limestone County.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a money judgment in civil court, they can record it as a lien on the debtor's property. These judgment liens are filed with the Limestone County Probate Judge. They do not go to the Circuit Clerk. If you are checking on someone's debts or doing a title search, look at probate records too. The Probate Office is in the same courthouse complex in Athens. It is just down the hall.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. Limestone County is in the Northern District of Alabama. The federal courthouse in Huntsville handles cases from this area. You can search federal civil records through PACER. It charges $0.10 per page viewed. Federal cases include disputes over federal law. Cases between people from different states go there too. So do bankruptcy matters.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings affect civil cases in a big way. If someone files bankruptcy, it can stop lawsuits against them. It can also wipe out judgments. Bankruptcy is a federal matter handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Records are on PACER. The Decatur division serves the Limestone County area. Checking bankruptcy records can show whether a judgment debtor has filed for protection. This matters if you are trying to collect on a civil judgment.

Legal Assistance

If you have a civil legal matter in Limestone County and cannot afford a lawyer, help may be available.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to low-income residents across the state. They handle civil matters including housing problems, family law, public benefits, and consumer issues. Call the intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance. Their North Alabama office serves Limestone County.

Volunteer Lawyers Programs

The Huntsville-Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program accepts clients from neighboring counties including Limestone. Pro bono attorneys help with civil cases for people who meet income guidelines. Call (256) 539-2275 for information about eligibility and services. Wait times vary based on attorney availability.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

If you need to hire a lawyer, the Alabama State Bar runs a referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected with an attorney. The initial consultation costs no more than $50 for 30 minutes. This lets you discuss your situation and learn your options before committing to representation.

Self-Help Resources

The Alabama Legal Help website has free information and forms for people handling civil matters on their own. You can find guides on topics like small claims, landlord-tenant law, and debt collection. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission.

Start Your Search

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from Limestone County and throughout Alabama.

Cities in Limestone County

Limestone County includes the city of Athens, which serves as the county seat, along with several smaller communities. Athens is home to about 28,000 residents. Other incorporated areas include Ardmore, Elkmont, and Mooresville. All civil court cases for Limestone County residents are filed at the courthouse in Athens regardless of which city they live in.

The closest major city with its own detailed resources page is Huntsville, located in neighboring Madison County. Many Limestone County residents work in Huntsville and may have legal matters that cross county lines.

Nearby Counties

Limestone County borders several other Alabama counties. If your civil matter involves parties or property in multiple places, you may need to search records in these neighboring counties as well.