Search Perry County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Perry County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marion. Marion serves as the county seat. The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Perry County along with Dallas and Wilcox Counties. Perry County sits in the western part of the Black Belt region along the Cahaba River. Pamela Fails serves as Circuit Clerk. She handles all filings, case upkeep, and public access to court papers. Her office deals with everything from small claims to big civil lawsuits. You can search records online through Alabama's court portal. You can also visit the clerk's office in person during regular hours. Staff can help you find what you need and make copies. The county has a small but steady caseload given its rural population.

County Information

Circuit Clerk Office

The Perry County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in the county. This office keeps case files, handles new filings, and makes copies for the public. Pamela Fails serves as Circuit Clerk. Her office manages records for both Circuit Court and District Court. The county has a small population, so the office sees fewer cases than more urban areas. Still, the staff handle a range of civil matters year-round. They can help you with most requests the same day you come in.

Physical Location

Online Access

Perry County civil court records are online through the Perry County Alacourt portal. This system lets you search by name or case number. You need to make an account and pay a fee to see full case details. District case lookups run $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. The online system has civil, domestic, and other case types all in one place. It works well if you know what you are looking for.

For appeals, visit the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal which gives free access to cases that were appealed from Perry County Circuit Court.

Civil Cases in Perry County

The 4th Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters that arise in Perry County. The circuit also covers Dallas and Wilcox Counties. What court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake. If your case is under $20,000, it goes to District Court. If it is over that amount, it goes to Circuit Court.

Circuit Court Civil Division

Circuit Court takes civil cases over $20,000. This includes personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract claims, business disputes, real estate fights, and class actions. Circuit Court also has sole say over equity matters like injunctions. Cases filed here tend to involve harder legal issues. They take longer to resolve. In Perry County, circuit civil cases often deal with property matters, auto wrecks, and contract disputes. The number of filings stays low compared to more populated counties. Still, these cases can get tricky.

District Court Civil Division

District Court handles civil cases up to $20,000. Common matters include debt collection, landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, and consumer complaints. The process moves faster than Circuit Court. Most district civil cases wrap up in a few months. Perry County sees a fair number of collection cases. Disputes between folks also come up a lot. The less formal nature makes it easier for people without lawyers to present their side.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of District Court. It deals with disputes under $6,000. The process is meant to be simple and quick. Many folks handle their own cases without hiring a lawyer. Typical matters include security deposit disputes, minor contract issues, and small debt collection. Filing is easy and hearings happen fast. For Perry County residents with a smaller dispute, this is often the best way to go. You fill out some basic forms. You pay a small fee. Then you get a hearing date in a few weeks.

Domestic Relations Cases

The court also handles family law civil matters. This covers divorces with property disputes, child custody cases, and spousal support. These count as civil matters, but they follow special rules. Domestic cases can get messy when property is involved. Perry County has its share of family law matters. The clerk's office can point you to the right forms if you need to file something. They have packets ready for common filings.

Legal Framework

Alabama law controls how civil court records are kept and accessed in Perry County. Several key statutes apply to public records requests and court filings. Here is what you should know about the legal basis for getting records. The rules are fairly clear once you know where to look.

Public Records Access

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, residents have the right to look at and copy public records. This statute is meant to be read broadly in favor of public access. The burden falls on the government to prove why a record should not be released. This applies to civil court records held by the Circuit Clerk in Perry County. If you want to see a file, you can in most cases. The only exception is if there is a specific legal reason to keep it sealed.

Court Filing Requirements

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets up the fee schedule for filing civil cases. The statute applies across the state including Perry County. Filing fees help fund court work. Fees change based on the type and value of the case. Small claims cases under $1,500 cost $35 to file. Cases between $1,500 and $6,000 cost $96. District court cases from $6,000 to $20,000 run $219. Circuit court cases under $50,000 cost $197. Those over $50,000 cost $297.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit court power comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. This statute gives circuit courts say over civil cases above $20,000. District court power under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30 covers civil matters up to $20,000. Knowing which court to use matters a lot. Filing in the wrong court can waste time and money.

Court Record Privacy

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) states that court records are open unless a statute or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that may be sealed or blacked out. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other private info. Most civil case papers stay public. The new rules try to balance openness with privacy concerns. You can still see most of what you need.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, actions on written contracts have a six-year limit. Personal injury claims have a two-year limit per Section 6-2-38. These deadlines matter a lot. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue. The clock usually starts when the harm occurs. In some cases, it starts when you find out about the harm.

How to Get Civil Court Records

In Person

Visit the Circuit Clerk office at the Perry County Courthouse in Marion. Bring valid photo ID. Tell staff what case you are looking for. If you have a case number, that speeds things up a lot. Staff can search by names if you lack a case number. You can view the file and ask for copies. Standard copies cost around $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Most requests are filled the same day. The office is small so wait times are usually short.

Online

Go to perry.alacourt.gov and make an account. Search by name or case number. Pay the fee to view case papers. You can print or save what you find. The online system is up 24 hours a day. This helps if you cannot visit during office hours. This is likely the fastest way to get records if you know what case you need. Just keep in mind the fees add up if you are searching many cases.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 505, Marion, AL 36756. Include the names of all parties, a rough date range, and the case type. Provide a check or money order for the fees. Make it out to Perry County Circuit Clerk. Add a stamped envelope with your address for the reply. Response time is usually 5 to 10 days. It can vary based on how busy the office is. Mail requests work fine for folks who cannot travel to Marion.

What Information You Need

To search well, gather as much of this info as you can. Get full names of parties involved. Get the rough date the case was filed. Note the type of case (small claims, civil, domestic). Grab the case number if you have it. The more details you give, the faster staff can find your records. Even partial info helps narrow things down. If you only have a name, that still works. It may just take longer to find the right file.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often connect to records held by other agencies. These sources can give more info about parties or related matters in Perry County. Sometimes you need to check more than one place to get the full picture. It is worth knowing what else is out there.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they may record it as a lien against the debtor's property. These liens are filed with the Perry County Probate Judge. Searching property records can reveal judgments that have been recorded. The Probate office is located in the Perry County Courthouse in Marion. If you won a lawsuit and want to collect, recording a lien is often the first step.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases fall under federal jurisdiction. Perry County is in the Southern District of Alabama. The federal courthouse handling Perry County area cases is in Selma or Mobile depending on the division. Federal civil records are accessible through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page viewed. Diversity cases involving parties from different states and federal question matters get filed in federal court rather than state court.

Bankruptcy Records

If a party to a civil case files for bankruptcy, it can affect the lawsuit. Bankruptcy records are federal records available through PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama handles Perry County cases. A bankruptcy filing can stop collection efforts and put a hold on pending lawsuits. You may need to check bankruptcy records if a judgment debtor seems to have vanished.

Alabama Secretary of State

For civil cases involving businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records including registered agent information. This can be useful for service of process or locating parties to a lawsuit. If you are suing a company, you need to know who to serve. The Secretary of State website has a free business search tool.

Legal Assistance

Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to Perry County residents dealing with civil court matters. If you cannot afford an attorney, these resources may help you understand your options.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid across the state. They serve residents who meet income guidelines. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. They handle housing, family, consumer, and benefits cases. This organization has been helping low-income Alabamians for decades. Perry County residents can call to see if they qualify for help.

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 consultation. This can help you understand your options if you need to file or respond to a civil case. The service operates Monday through Friday. It is a good way to get basic legal advice without a huge upfront cost.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free legal information, court forms, and guides for handling civil matters without a lawyer. The site covers common issues like debt, housing, and family law. It is a solid starting point if you want to learn about the process before deciding whether to hire an attorney. The forms section is especially useful for people filing pro se.

Pro Bono Programs

Some attorneys in the Marion area volunteer their time through pro bono programs. Contact the Circuit Clerk office or Legal Services Alabama to ask about available pro bono assistance in Perry County. Availability varies and depends on volunteer attorney participation. Rural counties sometimes have fewer volunteers, but it is worth asking about.

Cities in Perry County

Perry County includes Marion as the county seat along with several smaller communities. Civil court records for residents throughout the county are handled at the Circuit Clerk office in Marion.

Marion is the largest town in Perry County with a population of around 3,000. Other communities include Uniontown, Sprott, and Hamburg. None of the cities in Perry County exceed 100,000 population. The nearest major city is Tuscaloosa, located about 40 miles to the north in Tuscaloosa County. Residents who need to travel to a larger city for legal resources often head to Tuscaloosa or Birmingham. Montgomery is also reachable, about 70 miles to the east.

Nearby Counties

Perry County borders several other Alabama counties. If you need records from a case filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Circuit Clerk. Each county maintains its own records and has its own system.