Find Civil Court Records in Marengo County

Civil court records in Marengo County document lawsuits, judgments, and legal disputes. Both Circuit Court and District Court cases are kept here. The Circuit Clerk maintains all case files at the courthouse in Linden, which serves as the county seat. Marengo County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit along with Greene County. The office processes new civil filings and stores case documents. They also handle public requests for copies. Whether you need to look up a lawsuit, check for a judgment, or get copies of court papers, the Circuit Clerk office is the place to go. You can also search records online through the Alacourt system. Staff at the courthouse can help you find cases and explain what documents are available.

County Information

Circuit Clerk Office

The Marengo County Circuit Clerk serves as the official keeper of all court records in the county. Brandy Gunnels holds this job. She oversees the staff who maintain case files, process filings, and assist the public. The office handles records for both Circuit Court and District Court. Marengo County is smaller than some other Alabama counties. Still, the office sees a steady flow of civil cases each year. Everything from contract disputes to personal injury claims comes through here. The staff knows the local court system well and can point you in the right direction.

Physical Location

Online Access

Marengo County civil court records are available through the Marengo County Alacourt portal. This online system lets you search by party name or case number. To view full case info and documents, you will need to create an account and pay the fee. The system runs around the clock. That helps if you cannot make it to Linden during normal office hours.

For cases that have been appealed, visit the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. It offers free access to appeals from Marengo County Circuit Court. This covers the Court of Civil Appeals and the Supreme Court of Alabama. You do not need an account to search these records.

Civil Cases in Marengo County

The 17th Judicial Circuit handles civil matters from both Marengo County and Greene County. Judges hear cases in Linden for Marengo County folks. The type of court that handles your case depends on how much money is at stake. Smaller claims go to District Court. Bigger ones go to Circuit Court.

Circuit Court Civil Division

Circuit Court takes civil cases where more than $20,000 is at stake. This includes larger personal injury lawsuits, big contract disputes, business fights, real estate matters, and class actions. The court also handles equity matters like injunctions. Cases here tend to be more complex. They take longer to resolve too. In Marengo County, you might see cases about property lines, farm contracts, or car crash injuries that lead to big medical bills.

District Court Civil Division

District Court handles civil cases with amounts up to $20,000. This is where most everyday disputes end up. Common cases include debt collection, landlord and tenant fights, property damage claims, and buyer complaints. The process moves a bit faster than Circuit Court. Many locals file here for smaller disputes that still need a formal ruling. If you have a debt issue or a rent dispute, this is likely where your case will land.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is part of District Court. It handles disputes under $6,000. The rules are relaxed so regular people can speak for themselves. This is where you go for things like security deposit disputes, minor property damage, unpaid bills, or small debts. Filing is simple. Hearings happen fast. If you have a smaller dispute in Marengo County, small claims may be your best bet. You can get it resolved without spending a lot on legal fees.

Domestic Relations Cases

The court also handles family law matters that have civil parts. This includes divorce cases with property splits, child custody disputes, and alimony. While these follow special rules, they are still civil cases. The records are kept by the Circuit Clerk. Property disputes in divorce cases can get quite tricky and may take longer to work through.

Legal Framework

Several Alabama laws govern how civil court records are created, kept, and accessed in Marengo County. Knowing these laws helps you understand your rights when asking for records. The state has clear rules about what you can and cannot get.

Public Records Access

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to view and copy public records. This includes civil court records held by the Circuit Clerk. The law says it should be read broadly in favor of public access. If the government wants to hold back a record, they have to say why. This applies to court files in Marengo County just like anywhere else in the state.

Court Filing Fees

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets the fee list for filing civil cases. These fees apply statewide. Marengo County uses the same rates as other counties. The amount you pay depends on what court you file in and the size of your claim. Small claims cost less to file than Circuit Court cases.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit court power comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. This gives circuit courts the right to hear civil cases above $20,000 and equity matters. District court power under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30 covers civil disputes up to $20,000. Small claims is set at $6,000 under Section 12-12-31.

Court Record Privacy

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open to view unless a law or court order says otherwise. The rules list types of private info like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers that may be blacked out. Most civil case papers in Marengo County remain public and you can access them.

Statutes of Limitations

If you want to file a civil lawsuit, you have to do it within the time limit set by 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. Miss these deadlines and you lose your right to sue. This is why some civil cases never get filed. People wait too long even when they have a good claim.

How to Get Civil Court Records

In Person

Head to the Circuit Clerk office at 101 E Coats Ave in Linden. Bring a valid photo ID with you. Let the staff know what case you are looking for. A case number makes the search faster. They can also search by names of the people involved. You can look at the file and ask for copies of papers. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Most copy requests can be filled the same day.

Online

Visit marengo.alacourt.gov and set up an account. Search by party name or case number. You will need to pay a fee to view full case details and papers. The online system works any time of day or night. This is a good option if you live outside Linden. It also helps if you cannot take time off work to visit the office. Keep in mind that older records may not be fully online yet.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 101 E Coats Ave, Linden, AL 36748. Include the names of all parties in the case. Add the rough date range when it was filed and what type of case it is. Enclose a check or money order payable to Marengo County Circuit Clerk for the copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect a response in 5 to 10 business days. Busy times may take longer.

What Information Helps

To search for records effectively, try to gather these details before you contact the office. The full names of the parties involved in the case. An approximate date range for when the case was filed. The type of case such as small claims, civil, or domestic. A case number if you have one. The more information you can provide, the easier it is for staff to find your records quickly.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often link to other types of records kept by different offices. Checking these sources can give you more complete info about parties or related matters. Sometimes you need to look in a few places to get the full picture.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

Civil judgments can be recorded as liens against real property. This is done through the Marengo County Probate Judge office. When someone wins a lawsuit and the other party does not pay, the winner can record the judgment as a lien. This shows up when the property owner tries to sell or refinance. Searching property records may reveal judgments that have been filed.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. This happens when the case involves a federal law or when the parties are from different states and more than $75,000 is at stake. Marengo County is in the Southern District of Alabama. Federal civil records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov for $0.10 per page. The nearest federal courthouse is in Selma.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings are federal matters and can affect civil lawsuits. If someone files bankruptcy, it can stop collection of a judgment or impact ongoing litigation. Bankruptcy records for Marengo County residents are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama and are available through PACER.

Alabama Secretary of State

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains records on business entities. This includes registered agent information, which tells you who can accept legal papers on behalf of a company. Useful if you need to serve papers on a business.

Legal Assistance

If you need help with a civil court matter but cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations provide free or low-cost legal services to Marengo County residents.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal help to people who meet income requirements. They handle housing disputes, family matters, consumer issues, and public benefits cases. Call the intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify. They have been serving low-income Alabamians for years and know the local courts well.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service you can reach at 1-800-392-5660. For $50 or less you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney. This helps you understand your options before deciding how to proceed. The service runs Monday through Friday during business hours.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help provides free information, court forms, and how-to guides for people handling civil matters on their own. The site covers common issues like debt, housing problems, and family law. Good place to start if you want to learn about the process.

Pro Bono Programs

Some attorneys volunteer their time to help people who cannot pay for legal services. Contact Legal Services Alabama or the Circuit Clerk office to ask about pro bono options in the Marengo County area. Availability depends on volunteer attorney participation and varies over time.

Cities in Marengo County

Marengo County includes several communities spread across its rural landscape. Linden serves as the county seat and is where the courthouse is located. Other towns include Demopolis, Sweet Water, Faunsdale, and Thomaston.

Demopolis is the largest city in the county with a population of around 6,800. It sits at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior rivers. However, no cities in Marengo County exceed the 100,000 population threshold. Civil court records for all residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Linden regardless of which town they live in. The nearest major city is Tuscaloosa to the north or Mobile to the south if you need resources found in larger cities.

Nearby Counties

Marengo County shares borders with seven other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in one of these neighboring counties, you will need to contact that county's Circuit Clerk directly. Each county maintains its own separate court records.