Search Montgomery County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Montgomery County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the Phelps-Price Justice Center in downtown Montgomery. The 15th Judicial Circuit serves this county. Montgomery is the state capital. The county keeps civil case files for seven courts, making it one of the busiest record spots in the state. The Circuit Clerk office deals with all types of cases, from small claims to big civil disputes. You can search records online through Alacourt or stop by in person. Staff can help you find case files and get you copies of court docs.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
County Information
| County Seat | Montgomery (State Capital) |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 15th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Gina Jobe Ishman |
| Court Divisions | Criminal, Civil, Domestic Relations, Juvenile |
| Population | 228,954 (2020 Census) |
| Area | 790 square miles |
Circuit Clerk Office
The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in the county. This office keeps case files, takes in new filings, and gives copies to the public. Gina Jobe Ishman is the Circuit Clerk. Her office deals with records for seven courts. These include Circuit Court, District Court, and other divisions like domestic relations and juvenile court. The staff fields questions all day long and can point you to the right forms or help you track down a case number if you are not sure where to start.
Physical Location
| Address | 251 S Lawrence St Montgomery, AL 36104 (Phelps-Price Justice Center) |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 1667 Montgomery, AL 36102 |
| Phone | (334) 832-1260 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Access
Montgomery County civil court records are on hand online through the Montgomery County Alacourt portal. This system lets you search by party name or case number. You need to make an account and pay a fee to see full case info. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups run $29.99. The online system has civil, domestic, and other case types.
For appellate records, check the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. It gives free access to cases appealed from Montgomery County Circuit Court. You can search by case name or number, and most docs are free to view and print.
Civil Cases in Montgomery County
The 15th Judicial Circuit deals with all civil matters in Montgomery County. Which court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake.
Circuit Court Civil Division
Circuit Court has the power to hear civil cases over $20,000. This covers personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract claims, business fights, real estate cases, and class actions. Circuit Court also has sole power over equity matters like injunctions. Cases filed here tend to be more complex. They often take longer to resolve, sometimes a year or more. You will want a lawyer for most Circuit Court cases due to the stakes and the rules involved.
District Court Civil Division
District Court takes civil cases up to $20,000. Common matters include debt collection, landlord-tenant fights, property damage claims, and consumer complaints. The process moves faster than Circuit Court. Most district civil cases wrap up in a few months. You can often handle simpler district cases on your own, though talking to a lawyer first is still a good idea.
Small Claims Court
Small claims is part of District Court. It deals with disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be laid back. Many people handle their own cases without a lawyer. Typical matters include security deposit fights, minor contract issues, and small debt collection. Filing is simple. Hearings happen fast, often within a month or two of filing.
Domestic Relations Division
The Domestic Relations Division deals with family law civil matters. This covers divorces with property fights, child custody cases, and spousal support. These are civil cases, but they follow special rules. The division also takes on domestic protection orders. If you need to file for divorce or custody, this is where your case will end up. The rules can be tricky, so many people hire a family law attorney.
Legal Framework
Alabama law sets the rules for how civil court records are kept and accessed in Montgomery County. A few key laws apply here.
Public Records Access
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, residents have the right to look at and copy public records. Courts read this law broadly in favor of public access. The state has to prove why a record should stay sealed. This applies to civil court records kept by the Circuit Clerk.
Court Filing Fees
Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets the fee list for filing civil cases. Small claims cases under $1,500 cost $35 to file. Cases from $1,500 to $6,000 cost $96. District Court filings run $219. Circuit Court cases under $50,000 cost $197. Those over $50,000 cost $297. These fees apply statewide, including Montgomery County.
Court Record Privacy
The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality 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 91 types of info that may be sealed or blacked out. These include Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Most civil case docs stay public.
How to Get Civil Court Records
In Person
Go to the Circuit Clerk office at the Phelps-Price Justice Center. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what case you want. If you have a case number, that speeds things up. Staff can search by party names if you do not have a number. You can view the file and ask for copies. Standard copies cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Most requests get filled the same day.
Online
Go to montgomery.alacourt.gov and make an account. Search by party name or case number. Pay the fee to view case docs. You can print or save what you find. The online system runs all day and night. This is great if you cannot stop by during office hours. Keep in mind that not all old records have been scanned in, so you may still need to visit in person for older cases.
By Mail
Mail a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 1667, Montgomery, AL 36102. Include the names of all parties, the rough date range, and case type. Send a check or money order for the fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply. Response time is about 5 to 10 business days.
What Information You Need
To search well, gather as much of this info as you can: full names of parties, the rough date the case was filed, the type of case (small claims, civil, domestic), and the case number if you have it. The more info you give, the faster staff can find your records.
Related Record Sources
Civil court records often tie to records kept by other agencies. These sources can give you more info about parties or linked matters.
Property Records and Judgment Liens
When someone wins a civil judgment, they may file it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens go on file with the Montgomery County Probate Judge. Looking through property records can show judgments that have been recorded. The Probate office sits in the Montgomery County Courthouse at 100 S Lawrence St. You can search liens in person or ask staff for help.
Federal Court Records
Some civil cases fall under federal power. Montgomery County is in the Middle District of Alabama. The federal courthouse is downtown. You can get federal civil records through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page.
Bankruptcy Records
If a party to a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can change the lawsuit. Bankruptcy records are federal records you can find through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama handles Montgomery County cases. Bankruptcy can halt a civil case, so it is worth checking if you think a party may have filed.
Legal Assistance
A few groups give free or cheap legal help to Montgomery County folks dealing with civil court matters.
Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program
The Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program links low-income residents with attorneys who give their time for free. Call (334) 265-0222 to start. They cover family law, consumer issues, housing fights, and other civil matters. You will need to meet income limits to qualify. Staff can tell you if you are eligible when you call.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal aid across the state. Their Montgomery office serves residents who meet income rules. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. They handle housing, family, consumer, and benefits cases.
Alabama State Bar Referral
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. For $50 or less you get a 30-minute talk with a lawyer. This can help you know your options if you need to file or respond to a civil case.
Self-Help Resources
Alabama Legal Help has free legal info, court forms, and guides for handling civil matters on your own. The site covers common issues like debt, housing, and family law. It is a good first stop if you want to learn the basics before calling a lawyer or going to court.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County holds the state capital and a few smaller towns. Civil court records for folks all through the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office.
Montgomery is the only city in the county with a population over 100,000. Smaller communities like Prattville (located in adjacent Autauga County), Pike Road, and Millbrook are served by the Montgomery County court system for matters arising within county boundaries.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County sits next to five other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in a nearby county, contact that county's Circuit Clerk.