Find Civil Court Records in Monroe County

Civil court records in Monroe County are kept by the Circuit Clerk office at the courthouse in Monroeville. The 35th Judicial Circuit Court handles all civil cases for the county. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and debt cases. Monroe County sits in the southwest part of Alabama. The population is small but spread out across rural areas and the county seat of Monroeville. The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of court files. They give the public access to civil case documents. Whether you need to search for a pending lawsuit, look up a past judgment, or get copies of court filings, you can do so through the local courthouse or the statewide Alacourt system. This page covers how to find and request civil court records from Monroe County along with contact info, fees, and legal help.

Monroe County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the main source for civil court records in Monroe County. Donna L. Wilson serves as Circuit Clerk. She manages all court files for the 35th Judicial Circuit. Her office handles new civil filings, keeps case records, and gives copies of court papers to the public when asked. The office sits in the Monroe County Courthouse in downtown Monroeville. You can walk in during normal hours to search records or ask for copies of documents you need.

When visiting in person, bring a valid ID. Have as much case info as possible ready. This means names of the parties or a rough time frame when the case was filed. Staff can help with searching records by party name or case number. If you only have partial info, the search may take longer. But it is still possible in most cases.

What Records Does the Circuit Clerk Maintain?

The Circuit Clerk keeps records for all civil matters heard in Monroe County courts. This covers both circuit court and district court cases. The files include the original complaint that starts a case. They also have any answers filed by defendants, motions from either party, court orders from the judge, final judgments, and records of any appeals. Small claims cases in district court are also kept by this office.

Each case gets a unique case number when it is filed. The number shows the year, case type, and sequence. A civil case number might look like CV-2025-000123. CV means civil case and 2025 is the filing year. Knowing the case number makes pulling records much faster than searching by name alone.

Online Access to Monroe County Civil Records

You have a few options for searching Monroe County civil court records from your computer. The statewide Alacourt system gives the most complete online access. The county portal offers a more focused search. Both work well depending on what you need.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal at pa.alacourt.com is the main online system for searching civil court records. You must sign up for an account to use it. Once logged in, search by party name or case number. A district court case costs $19.99 to view. A circuit court case costs $29.99. The system shows case details, party names, and lists of all papers filed in the case.

Alacourt is run by the Administrative Office of Courts. It has records from all 67 Alabama counties. If you need to search civil records across more than one county, this system makes it simple. The database updates often so recent filings should show up. Most users find it easy to use once they get the hang of the search filters.

Monroe County Online Portal

Monroe County has a local portal at monroe.alacourt.gov that links to the Alacourt system. It is set up for Monroe County searches only. Some users find this simpler when they just need records from one county. The same fees apply through this portal.

Alabama Appellate Courts

Civil cases that were appealed to a higher court can be searched through the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. This free database has records from the Court of Civil Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court. Appeals under $50,000 usually go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Cases with higher amounts go straight to the Supreme Court.

Types of Civil Cases in Monroe County

Civil court records in Monroe County come from cases heard at different court levels. The court that hears a case depends mainly on how much money is at stake in the dispute.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Monroe County Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount is more than $20,000. These cases include big contract disputes, personal injury suits from accidents, medical malpractice claims, business fights, real estate disputes, and construction issues. The circuit court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions. Cases at this level tend to be more complex. They often include discovery, depositions, and pre-trial motions before a resolution or trial.

District Court Civil Cases

The district court handles civil matters where the amount does not go past $20,000. This includes smaller contract disputes, property damage claims, landlord-tenant fights, collection cases for unpaid debts, and consumer matters. The rules in district court are a bit simpler than circuit court. Cases usually move toward a resolution more quickly here.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court for disputes under $6,000. The rules are simple so people can handle their own cases without hiring a lawyer. Common small claims matters include unpaid debts, fights over security deposits, minor property damage, and simple contract issues. Filing fees are lower here. Cases get scheduled for a hearing fairly quickly, which many people find helpful when they need a fast resolution.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are established by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply statewide and are the same in Monroe County as elsewhere in Alabama. You pay the filing fee at the time you file a new case.

Copy and Certification Fees

Getting copies of court papers will cost extra fees. Standard copies run between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. They are usually $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a fee on top. The Circuit Clerk office can tell you exact costs when you make your request. Most offices take cash, check, or money order. Some take credit cards too.

Fee Waivers

If you truly cannot afford filing fees, you may ask the court to waive them. This requires filing a hardship form that shows your income and expenses. The judge reviews it and decides whether to grant the waiver. Fee waivers are allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. They are meant for people who really cannot pay.

Legal Framework for Public Records Access

Alabama law gives residents the right to access court records and other public papers. Knowing these laws helps you understand what records you can get. It also helps you know how to go about getting them. The rules are fairly clear once you know where to look.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. Court records are public unless a legal exemption applies. The law requires courts to read it broadly in favor of letting people see records. If someone denies you access, they must show that an exemption covers that paper.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Under these rules, court records are open unless a law or court order says they are not. The rules list over 90 types of info that may be kept private or blacked out. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some details about minors. Even with these rules, most civil court records are still open to the public.

Records Retention

Court records in Alabama are kept for periods that depend on the case type. Civil case files are usually kept for good or for very long times. This means older civil cases going back many years may still be around. Some old records get moved to off-site storage once a case closes. This can add time to your request as staff have to go get them.

How to Get Monroe County Civil Court Records

In Person

Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 65 N Alabama Ave, Room 101 in Monroeville. Bring a valid ID and whatever case information you have. Tell the clerk what records you are looking for. Staff can search by party name or case number. You may view case files at the courthouse and request copies of specific documents you need. Standard copies are usually available the same day. Certified copies may take a bit longer to process.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the full names of the parties involved, an approximate date range when the case was filed, the type of case, and your return address. Attach a check or money order for the copy fees made payable to the Circuit Clerk. If you are not sure of the exact fee amount, call the office first or send extra and ask for a refund of any overpayment. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a response. It may take longer if the office has a backlog.

Online

Search through Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com or through the Monroe County portal at monroe.alacourt.gov. You will need to create an account. Once you find the case you want, pay the search fee to view case details and the list of filed documents. Some documents may be available for download. Online searching is the quickest way to confirm whether a case exists and get basic information about it.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to other types of public records. Checking these additional sources can give you a fuller picture of the situation you are researching.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

A civil money judgment can be recorded as a lien against the debtor's real property. These liens are filed with the Probate Judge in Monroe County. If you are researching someone's financial situation or checking a property, searching for judgment liens can reveal unpaid court judgments. The Monroe County Probate Court maintains property records including deeds and mortgages.

Federal Court Records

Certain civil cases end up in federal court rather than state court. This happens when the case involves federal law or when the parties are from different states and the amount exceeds $75,000. Monroe County falls within the Southern District of Alabama. You can search federal civil records through PACER, the federal court system database. Access costs $0.10 per page up to a maximum of $3.00 per document.

Bankruptcy Records

Someone involved in a civil case may have filed for bankruptcy protection. Bankruptcy is a federal court proceeding, and records are available through PACER. A bankruptcy filing can affect pending civil litigation and the ability to collect on a judgment.

Business Entity Records

For civil cases involving a business, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains records of registered business entities. You can find information about a company's registered agent, which is useful for service of process, as well as other basic corporate information.

Legal Assistance in Monroe County

If you need help with a civil matter but cannot afford to hire an attorney, several free and low-cost options exist for Monroe County residents.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals across all 67 Alabama counties, including Monroe County. The organization handles matters such as housing issues, consumer problems, family law, and public benefits. To see if you qualify for help, call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help website provides self-help guides, court forms, and legal information for people who are representing themselves in civil cases. You can find step-by-step instructions for common legal issues and download forms you may need.

South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

This program pairs qualifying low-income individuals with attorneys who volunteer their time. The program serves the southern region of Alabama including Monroe County. Contact the Mobile office at (251) 438-1102 for more information about services and eligibility.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney. An initial consultation of up to 30 minutes costs no more than $50. Call 1-800-392-5660 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

About Monroe County Courts

Monroe County is part of the 35th Judicial Circuit, which serves Monroe County alone. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases and civil cases over $20,000 in addition to domestic relations matters. District court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil matters under $20,000 including small claims.

The Monroe County Courthouse in Monroeville serves as the center of judicial activity for the county. Monroeville is widely known as the hometown of author Harper Lee and the setting that inspired her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." The old courthouse has become a point of interest for that reason. However, the current court operations take place in facilities that handle the regular business of civil and criminal cases.

Being a smaller rural county, Monroe County handles fewer civil cases annually than urban counties. This can sometimes mean faster processing of requests since the volume is lower. On the other hand, staffing is also smaller, so response times can vary depending on the office workload at any given time.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Monroe County and elsewhere in Alabama.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes Monroeville, which serves as the county seat, along with smaller communities such as Excel, Frisco City, and Beatrice. No city in Monroe County has a population over 100,000. Civil court matters for all Monroe County residents are handled through the Circuit Clerk office in Monroeville. Regardless of which town or community you live in within the county, you would file civil cases and search for civil records at the same Monroe County courthouse.

Nearby Counties

If you need civil court records from counties near Monroe, select a county below to find contact information and access options.