Search Shelby County Civil Court Records

Shelby County civil court records show lawsuits, contract fights, and other civil matters filed in the 18th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Columbiana keeps all trial court records. Shelby County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama. It sits in the Birmingham metro area. Folks from Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, and Helena file civil cases through this court. You can search records online through Alacourt. You can also request copies in person at the courthouse. The clerk's office keeps records of both circuit court and district court civil cases going back decades.

Shelby County Circuit Clerk

The Shelby County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records in the 18th Judicial Circuit. This office handles civil case filings, keeps court papers, issues certified copies, and deals with record requests. The Circuit Clerk also runs jury selection and serves as the Absentee Election Manager for the county. Staff in this office can help you find old cases, pull documents, and explain what forms you need. They deal with thousands of requests each year from lawyers, businesses, and regular people looking for case info.

Courthouse Location

The Shelby County Courthouse sits in downtown Columbiana. The building holds the Circuit Clerk, Probate Court, and other county offices. Street parking is free around the courthouse square. Bring valid photo ID when you visit to ask for records. The courthouse is an older building but well kept. There is a security check at the entrance so plan for a few extra minutes. Staff at the front desk can point you to the right office if you are not sure where to go.

Search Civil Records Online

Shelby County gives you multiple ways to search civil court records online. The county runs its own Alacourt site with case info and fee lists. The statewide Alacourt system also has Shelby County records. Most people start with the county portal since it is free to browse basic case info. If you need to see full documents, you will need to pay through the state system or go to the courthouse in person.

Shelby County Alacourt Portal

The Shelby County Alacourt site gives you direct access to circuit and district court info. You can find filing rules, court dates, and links to search tools. The site has separate parts for civil, criminal, and domestic cases.

District Civil Fee Chart

Shelby County publishes a detailed fee schedule for district civil cases. View the current District Civil Fee Chart for filing costs and copy fees. This chart helps you budget for court costs before filing.

Statewide Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access site at pa.alacourt.com lets you pay to search all Alabama courts. Search by party name or case number. District case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit case lookups cost $29.99. You need to make an account first. The site takes credit cards and the fee covers viewing documents for a set time period. Many attorneys and background check firms use this system daily.

Appellate Court Records

For civil cases that have been appealed, check the Alabama Appellate Courts Portal. This free site has rulings from the Court of Civil Appeals and the Supreme Court of Alabama. Cases under $50,000 go to the Court of Civil Appeals. Bigger cases go straight to the Supreme Court.

Types of Civil Cases

The 18th Judicial Circuit deals with a range of civil matters based on how much money is at stake. Knowing which court handles your case type helps you file the right way and find the right records. The dollar amount in your case sets which court you use. Get this wrong and you waste time and money.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court has power over civil cases where more than $20,000 is at stake. Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, circuit courts handle big contract fights, injury lawsuits, business cases, land disputes, and equity matters. These cases often need lawyers. They can take months or years to wrap up. Circuit court records include the original complaint, answers, motions, depositions, court orders, and final judgments.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil cases between $6,000 and $20,000 as stated in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases include contract fights, landlord tenant issues, debt collection, and property damage claims. These cases move faster than circuit court. They are less formal too. Many people go without a lawyer in district court. The process is simpler and the stakes are lower so self-representation works better here.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is part of district court for cases under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The process is meant to be simple and cheap. You file a short form, pay a small fee, and get a hearing date. No lawyers are needed. Common small claims include unpaid debts, security deposit fights, minor contract issues, and small property damage claims. Judges in small claims court expect regular people, not lawyers. They will ask you questions and help guide the hearing along.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees in Shelby County follow the state schedule set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. You pay these fees when you file your lawsuit. The clerk cannot waive fees. But you can ask a judge for a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay. You will need to fill out a form showing your income and expenses. Judges grant these waivers when people truly cannot afford court costs.

Copy and Search Fees

When you ask for copies of civil court records, the clerk charges per page. Standard copies run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Plan on $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee. For online access through Alacourt, you pay $19.99 for district cases or $29.99 for circuit cases. If you need lots of copies, the costs add up fast. Ask the clerk for an estimate before you commit to a big order.

How to Get Civil Court Records

You can get Shelby County civil court records in a few ways. Pick the method that works best for what you need. Some ways are faster. Some cost less. It depends on whether you need certified copies or just want to see what is in a file.

In Person at the Courthouse

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Columbiana during business hours. Bring photo ID. Give the clerk as much case info as you have. This includes party names, rough dates, and case type. Staff can help you search and make copies. You can usually get standard copies the same day. Certified copies may take a bit more time.

Online Through Alacourt

For faster access, use the Alacourt Public Access site. Create an account, search for your case, and pay to view documents. This works well if you know the party names or case number. You can access records from your computer any time. No need to drive to Columbiana. The site works around the clock so you can search late at night or on weekends when the courthouse is closed.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at PO Box 1810, Columbiana, AL 35051. Include the full names of all parties, the rough filing date, the case type, your return address, and payment. Make checks payable to the Shelby County Circuit Clerk. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. Add more time if you are not sure of the exact case info since staff may need to search harder to find what you need.

Public Records Request

For records not easy to get through normal channels, send a formal public records request under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. This law gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. The law is read broadly in favor of giving access. If the office says no, they must prove why you cannot have the records.

Civil Lawsuit Time Limits

Alabama law sets deadlines for filing civil lawsuits. Miss the deadline and you lose your right to sue. These time limits are called statutes of limitations. The clock starts when the harm happens or when you find out about it. Once time runs out, the court will throw out your case even if you have a strong claim.

Contract Disputes

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. This covers loan deals, leases, and written promises to pay. Oral contracts have a shorter deadline. If you have a handshake deal with no writing, you get less time to file suit.

Personal Injury and Property Damage

Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 gives you two years from the harm or damage to file suit. This applies to car wrecks, slip and fall cases, dog bites, and property damage. Once two years pass, you cannot sue. It does not matter how badly you were hurt.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims have strict deadlines under Alabama Code Section 6-5-482. You must file within two years of the act. There is also a four year outer limit called the statute of repose. After four years, you cannot sue. It does not matter when you found out about the problem.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes tie to records kept by other offices. These can give you more info about a case or the people in it. Looking at related records often fills in gaps that court files leave out. A full picture takes more than one source.

Property Records and Judgment Liens

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien on the losing party's land. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, this lien sticks to property in the county where it is recorded. The Shelby County Probate Judge keeps these records. A property search can show if someone owes money from a lawsuit.

Federal Court Records

Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. This happens when the case involves federal law. It also happens when the parties are from different states. Shelby County falls in the Northern District of Alabama. Search federal records through PACER at $0.10 per page.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil lawsuits. A bankruptcy may stop collection on a judgment. It may also wipe out a debt. Federal bankruptcy records for Alabama are on PACER. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama covers Shelby County. If you are trying to collect a judgment and the other party files bankruptcy, you need to check these records right away.

Legal Help and Resources

If you need help with a civil court matter, several groups offer free or low cost help to Shelby County residents. Going to court without a lawyer is hard. These resources can make a big difference in how your case turns out.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low income families. They handle housing fights, consumer issues, family law, and public benefits cases. Call their statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify. Income limits apply so not everyone can use this service.

Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham

Since Shelby County is part of the Birmingham metro area, residents can use the Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham program. Call (205) 250-5198 for referral to a pro bono attorney. This program helps people who cannot pay for a lawyer but make too much for Legal Services Alabama.

Alabama Legal Help

The Alabama Legal Help site has self help tools for people handling cases without a lawyer. Find court forms, legal info, and step by step guides. This free site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get linked with a private attorney. First talks cost up to $50 for 30 minutes. The service runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Court Record Privacy Rules

Alabama courts try to balance public access with privacy concerns. Most civil court records are open to the public. But some info is protected. Knowing what is public and what stays private helps you understand what you can and cannot get from the clerk.

Public Access Right

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every Alabama resident has the right to look at and copy public records. The law says courts should read it broadly in favor of access. Anyone who says no to a records request must prove why. The state allows fair copy fees under Section 36-12-41.

Court Record Privacy and Confidentiality Rules

As of January 1, 2025, the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality set what info stays private. Rule 104(A) says court records are open unless a law, rule, or court order says no. The rules list 91 types of info that may be blacked out or sealed. These include social security numbers, bank account numbers, and records about minors.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Shelby County and across Alabama.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County has several growing cities in the Birmingham metro area. Civil cases from these cities are filed with the Shelby County Circuit Clerk in Columbiana. The county has seen a lot of growth in recent years. More people means more court cases, so the clerk's office stays busy.

Note: Part of the city of Hoover is also in Shelby County. Hoover folks should check whether their case goes to Shelby or Jefferson County based on their address.

Nearby Major City

Shelby County borders Jefferson County to the north. Birmingham is the closest big city with more than 100,000 people. Many Shelby County residents work in Birmingham and may have business ties that lead to civil cases there.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Shelby County. Each keeps separate civil court records through their own Circuit Clerk. If you need records from a case in one of these counties, you have to contact that county's clerk, not Shelby County.