Search Marshall County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Marshall County show lawsuits, judgments, and contract disputes filed in the 27th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Guntersville keeps these records. The public can view them. Marshall County sits in northeast Alabama along the Tennessee River and Lake Guntersville. You can search civil case filings through Alacourt. You can also visit the courthouse. The county handles thousands of civil matters each year. These range from small claims to big lawsuits. Need to look up a judgment? Want to find case files? This page shows you how to get Marshall County civil court records.

Marshall County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Marshall County. Angie Johnson serves as Circuit Clerk. She runs record keeping for the 27th Judicial Circuit. The office handles case filings and keeps court files. They also issue certified copies and process record requests. When you visit the clerk's office, the staff there are trained to help you find what you need. They can search for civil cases by party name or case number. If you're not sure where to start, just ask at the front desk and they will point you in the right direction. The clerk's office sees people looking for records every single day, so your request won't be unusual to them.

The Marshall County Courthouse sits in downtown Guntersville on Blount Avenue. The building holds the Circuit Clerk, Circuit Court, and District Court. You can park on nearby streets. There are also public lots close by. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to ask for records.

Online Record Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search Marshall County civil court records online. Search by party name or case number. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. Make an account to get started. The system shows case info, parties, filing dates, and docket entries. You may be able to view or download some files.

Marshall County also has a local court site at marshall.alacourt.gov. It has info about court services, schedules, and how things work. This site does not let you search records directly. But it helps you learn how the court system runs in Marshall County.

Types of Civil Cases in Marshall County

Marshall County courts handle many types of civil matters. Which court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake. Circuit Court takes the bigger cases worth over $20,000. District Court covers mid-range amounts. Small claims handles the smaller stuff. Each court has its own rules and fees, so it helps to know which one applies to your situation before you file anything.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The Marshall County Circuit Court hears civil cases worth more than $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These cases include big contract disputes and injury lawsuits. Also business fights, land disputes, and malpractice claims. Circuit Court also handles equity matters. These include injunctions and specific performance orders.

District Court Civil Cases

Marshall County District Court handles civil cases between $6,000 and $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases here include contract disputes and damage claims. Also landlord-tenant matters and debt collection. District Court follows simpler rules than Circuit Court.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court in Marshall County handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The process is informal. It's made for people without lawyers. You fill out a simple form and pay a small filing fee. Then you get a court date. Common small claims cases include security deposit fights and minor contract issues. Also personal property damage. There is no jury trial in small claims court.

Domestic Relations Cases

Civil cases about family matters go to Marshall County Circuit Court. These include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and name changes. The court handles a lot of these cases each year. Some domestic relations records have restricted access. This protects minors and sensitive family info. If you need records from a family case, ask the clerk what parts you can access. Some files may need a court order to view, especially those involving children.

How to Search Marshall County Civil Records

Online Searches

The fastest way to find civil court records is through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. Make a free account. Then search by typing in the name of a party to the case. You can also search by case number if you have it. Results show basic case info. Pay the lookup fee to see full case details and files. The system covers both Circuit Court and District Court civil cases.

In Person at the Courthouse

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 424 Blount Ave Suite 201 in Guntersville during business hours. Bring valid ID. Tell the clerk you want to search civil court records. Give them as much info as you have. This means party names, rough dates, and case type. Staff will help you find records. You can view case files at no charge. Copies cost extra.

Written Requests

Send a written request to the Marshall County Circuit Clerk. Include: full names of all parties, rough filing date, case type (civil, small claims, etc.), your contact info, and payment. Make checks payable to Marshall County Circuit Clerk. Mail to 424 Blount Ave Suite 201, Guntersville, AL 35976. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a reply.

Public Records Requests

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, Alabama citizens can look at and copy public records. Court records are mostly public. They stay sealed only if a court order or law says so. If you have trouble getting records the normal way, you can file a formal public records request. Cite this statute in your request.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 sets up the right to view public records. The law says courts should read it in favor of public access. If you get denied access, you can ask a court to force them to show you. The burden falls on the government to prove an exemption applies. Section 36-12-41 lets agencies charge fair fees for copies.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open unless a law, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that may be kept private. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, and some info about minors.

Civil Filing Requirements

Civil lawsuits in Alabama must meet certain rules. A complaint must include a clear statement of the claim and what relief you seek. It also needs to show why the court has power to hear the case. Under Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and summons. The defendant then has 30 days to file an answer.

Statutes of Limitations

Alabama sets time limits for filing civil lawsuits. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. Injury and damage claims must be filed within two years per Section 6-2-38. Medical malpractice has a two-year limit with a four-year cap. Miss these deadlines and you likely lose the right to sue.

Related Records in Marshall County

Property Records and Judgment Liens

Civil judgments can become liens on real property. In Marshall County, the Probate Judge records judgment liens. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to the debtor's land in the county where recorded. The lien lasts for ten years. It can be renewed. Check property records to see if someone has judgment liens against them. This is useful if you want to know whether a person owes money from a court case, or if you are buying property and want to make sure it has a clear title.

The Marshall County Probate Judge keeps deeds, mortgages, and other property records. Call the Probate Office at (256) 571-7764 for property record searches.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases with Marshall County residents are heard in federal court. Marshall County falls in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division in Huntsville. Federal cases include disputes over federal law, diversity cases over $75,000, and bankruptcy. Search federal records through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Business Entity Records

For civil cases with businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State keeps business entity records. Search the business entity database to find registered agent info, corporate officers, and filing history. This helps with serving papers and finding parties.

Legal Help in Marshall County

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Marshall County. They handle housing, family law, consumer protection, and public benefits cases. Call the intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify. Income limits apply, so not everyone can use this service. But if you do qualify, they can provide real help with your civil legal matter at no cost to you.

North Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Huntsville-Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program serves residents of Marshall County and nearby areas. They link up qualifying people with pro bono lawyers for civil legal matters. Call them at (256) 539-2275 for more info about services in your area.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help offers free self-help resources, court forms, and legal info. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission. You can find info about common civil matters like small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer issues.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The first talk costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. They can link you with lawyers who handle civil cases in Marshall County.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Marshall County and other places.

Cities in Marshall County

Marshall County includes the cities of Guntersville, Albertville, Arab, Boaz, and Grant. Civil court matters for people in these cities go to the Marshall County Courthouse in Guntersville. No cities in Marshall County meet the population threshold for their own page on this site. All residents file their civil cases through the county circuit clerk, no matter which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

Marshall County borders seven other Alabama counties. Each county keeps its own civil court records through its Circuit Clerk. If you need records from a nearby county, you will have to contact that county's clerk office directly.