Find Civil Court Records in St. Clair County

Civil court records in St. Clair County track lawsuits, judgments, contract disputes, and other legal matters filed in the 30th Judicial Circuit. What makes this county stand out is that it has two county seats. Ashville and Pell City both have courthouses. You can file cases and get records at either one. This is one of only two Alabama counties with dual seats. The Circuit Clerk keeps all civil case files, handles new filings, and gives copies to the public. You can search records online through Alacourt. You can also visit either courthouse in person or send a request by mail. Both spots offer the same services, so pick whichever works best for you.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk serves as the official keeper of all civil court records in St. Clair County. Kathryn Burke holds this job. Her office handles case filings, keeps court files, and issues certified copies of documents. Because St. Clair County has two county seats, there are two clerk office spots. You can do business at either one. The staff at both sites can help you find what you need and answer questions about the filing process.

Ashville Courthouse

The Ashville courthouse serves the northern part of St. Clair County. This was the first county seat when the county was formed in 1818. The building sits right on the town square. If you live in or near Ashville, Ragland, Springville, or the northern parts of the county, this spot is likely closer to you. Parking is free near the courthouse and there is usually space open during normal hours.

Pell City Courthouse

The Pell City courthouse serves the southern part of St. Clair County. Pell City became a second county seat due to the county's size and growing population in the south. People who live in Pell City, Moody, Odenville, Leeds (St. Clair portion), and nearby areas will find this spot more handy. The building is on Cogswell Avenue and has plenty of parking out front.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

St. Clair County gives you online access to court records through the statewide Alacourt system. You do not need to visit either courthouse in person. You can search for case info and view documents from home or the office. This saves time for people who just need to look up a case.

Alacourt Public Access Portal

The Alacourt Public Access portal for St. Clair County lets you search civil court records online. You can look up cases by party name or case number. District court cases cost $19.99 to view. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. You need to make an account to see full records. The system has both current and old case info going back many years.

What You Can Find Online

Through Alacourt, you can see case filings, court orders, judgment records, and docket info. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and party names. You can also check if judgments have been paid or if appeals were filed. Keep in mind that some papers may be blocked based on privacy rules or court orders. Not all documents are public.

In-Person Record Requests

Walk-in requests are taken at both clerk offices during regular hours. Bring a valid ID and know as much about the case as you can. Party names help a lot. So do rough dates when something was filed. The staff can help with searches. Most basic copies are ready the same day. Certified copies might take more time based on what you need.

Mail Requests

You can ask for civil court records by mail if you cannot visit in person or use the online system. Send your request to either courthouse. Include the names of all parties and the rough filing date. Note the type of case too. Send payment by check or money order to the Circuit Clerk. You should hear back in 5 to 10 business days in most cases.

Types of Civil Cases in St. Clair County

The St. Clair County Circuit Court handles a range of civil matters based on the amount of money involved and the type of legal issue. Alabama Code Section 12-11-30 establishes the circuit court's general jurisdiction over civil cases.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Circuit court hears civil lawsuits where more than $20,000 is at stake. These tend to be the bigger fights. Personal injury claims from car wrecks or slip and falls often end up here. So do major contract disputes and business fights. Property conflicts come to circuit court too. Medical malpractice cases and product claims also go here. If the case has hard issues or large sums, it belongs in circuit court.

Equity Matters

The circuit court has sole power over equity cases. These do not always involve money. Instead, they ask the court to order someone to do something or stop doing something. Injunctions fit here. So do cases asking for someone to follow through on a contract. Quiet title actions to clear up who owns a property are equity matters. Cases where parties want the court to spell out their rights also fall under equity.

District Court Civil Cases

St. Clair County District Court handles civil cases up to $20,000. Debt collection cases are common here. Landlord-tenant fights over deposits or lease issues are frequent. Smaller contract disputes, property damage claims, and consumer complaints land in district court. The process is a bit less formal than circuit court. Cases often move faster too.

Small Claims Court

Small claims is a part of district court for civil disputes under $6,000. Per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31, the process is meant to be simple and cheap. Many people handle small claims without a lawyer. Common cases include minor contract disputes, deposit fights, and collection of small debts. Filing fees are lower. The rules are more relaxed too.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in St. Clair County follow the statewide schedule set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees are the same whether you file in Ashville or Pell City.

Copy Fees

Getting copies at the clerk's office costs about $0.50 to $1.00 per page for basic copies. If you need a certified copy with a seal, expect to pay $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a cert fee. The exact cost depends on what you need. Ask the clerk for current rates when you make your request. Prices can change so it helps to check first.

Fee Waivers for Hardship

If you truly cannot pay filing fees, you may ask the court for a waiver. You will need to fill out a form that explains your money situation. The judge looks at these requests and can approve or deny them. Fee waivers are not given to all who ask. But they are there for people who truly need help and meet the rules.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Your right to access civil court records in St. Clair County comes from Alabama law and court rules. Knowing these laws helps you understand what you can get and what might be restricted.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. This includes court records. The law says that doubts should go in favor of letting people see records. If someone says no to your request, they have to prove an exception applies. Most civil court records are public unless a judge sealed them or a law protects them.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy went into effect on January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says that court records are open to view and copy unless a law or court order says no. The rules list types of info that may be cut out. Social Security numbers get cut. So do bank account numbers and certain facts about minors. Money info in some cases may also be kept private.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Some civil court files are not open to the public. Judges can seal records when there is good cause. Settlement deals are sometimes sealed at the parties' request. Cases with trade secrets or private business info may have protective orders. Mental health records and juvenile matters have special rules under state law. If you hit a sealed file, you may be able to ask the court for access in rare cases.

Statutes of Limitations

If you are looking into old disputes, know that Alabama has time limits for filing lawsuits. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to sue on a written contract. Personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years per Section 6-2-38. These limits matter. You will only find court records for cases that were actually filed before the deadline ran out.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records sometimes connect to records kept by other offices. These additional sources can give you a fuller picture of a legal matter or the parties involved.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment for money, they can record it as a lien against the debtor's property. The St. Clair County Probate Judge maintains these records. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, a judgment lien attaches to real property in any county where it is recorded. If you are researching someone's financial situation or checking for liens before a property purchase, these records matter.

Probate Court Records

The Probate Judge in St. Clair County handles estate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships. These can intersect with civil disputes. Will contests are essentially civil litigation. Creditor claims against estates involve civil debts. If you are tracking assets or debts, probate records may hold relevant information.

Federal Court Records

St. Clair County falls within the Northern District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Some civil cases go to federal court instead of state court. This happens when federal law is at issue or when the parties are from different states and more than $75,000 is at stake. Federal records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Cases cost $0.10 per page to view.

Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy filings can affect civil cases in big ways. If someone you sued files bankruptcy, collection efforts stop. Judgments may be discharged. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District covers St. Clair County. These records are also on PACER. Check bankruptcy status if you are trying to collect on a judgment.

Legal Assistance Resources

Several organizations offer free or low-cost legal help to St. Clair County residents who need assistance with civil court matters but cannot afford a private attorney.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal aid to low-income families across the state, including St. Clair County. They help with housing problems, family law matters, consumer issues, and public benefits. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to see if you qualify.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help is a website with free self-help guides, court forms, and legal information. If you are handling a civil matter without an attorney, this site can walk you through the process. It covers small claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer problems, and other common civil topics. The site is run by Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Access to Justice Commission.

Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham

Although based in Birmingham, Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham may assist residents of nearby counties including St. Clair in some circumstances. This program connects low-income people with pro bono attorneys. Call (205) 250-5198 to ask about eligibility and services available for St. Clair County residents.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You pay at most $50 for an initial 30-minute consultation. This can help you find an attorney for a civil case if you do not qualify for free legal aid. The service operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Search Civil Court Records

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from St. Clair County and other Alabama locations.

Cities in St. Clair County

St. Clair County includes several municipalities. Civil court records for residents of all these cities are maintained at the county level by the Circuit Clerk. The county has two county seats: Ashville in the north and Pell City in the south.

Major communities in St. Clair County include Pell City, Moody, Springville, Ashville, Odenville, and Ragland. Parts of Leeds also extend into St. Clair County, though Leeds residents may need to check which county their address falls in for court purposes. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so civil court business is handled at the county courthouses rather than municipal courts.

The nearest major city is Birmingham in neighboring Jefferson County. Birmingham residents dealing with St. Clair County matters would use the Pell City courthouse, which is about 30 miles east of downtown Birmingham via Interstate 20.

Nearby Counties

St. Clair County shares borders with several other counties. Each has its own Circuit Clerk office that maintains civil court records. If your case involves parties or property in multiple counties, you may need to check records in more than one location.