Search Sumter County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Sumter County document lawsuits, judgments, small claims disputes, and other civil matters. The Circuit Clerk office in Livingston keeps all civil case files for this rural west Alabama county. Sumter County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Marengo County. Lakeshia Slade is the Circuit Clerk. She handles new filings, keeps case records, and helps the public see court documents. The courthouse on Washington Street in Livingston is where you go to search records or file new civil actions. You can also search some records online through the statewide Alacourt portal. Staff at the clerk office can help you find case files by party name or case number. They pull documents for review and make copies you need. Whether you are looking for an old judgment, checking on a pending lawsuit, or need certified copies, this office handles all of it.

Sumter County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is your main contact for civil court records in Sumter County. This office keeps all case files from when they are first filed until the case ends and beyond. Staff can help you find cases, get copies, and file new civil lawsuits. The office sits in the Sumter County Courthouse in downtown Livingston. It is a small office, so you will likely deal with the same staff each time you visit. They know the local files well and can often point you in the right direction even with little info to start.

When you visit the clerk office, bring a valid photo ID with you. Having the case number or names of parties helps speed up your search. Staff are used to helping folks who may not know what they need. Do not worry if you only have partial info. The office may close for lunch, so call first if you plan to show up around noon. This is a smaller county office. Wait times tend to be short here. You will not face the long lines that plague busier urban courts.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Sumter County offers online access to civil court records through the statewide Alacourt system. This is the same database used by courts across Alabama. It is useful if you need to check records in more than one county. Many folks find it easier than driving to each courthouse. The system works from any computer with internet access.

Sumter County Alacourt Portal

The Sumter County Alacourt portal lets you search for civil cases by party name or case number. Basic search results are free to view. You can see case listings, filing dates, and parties at no cost. To see the actual documents in a case file, you need to make an account and pay the per-case fee.

Search Fees

Alacourt charges fees on a per-case basis to view detailed records. District court cases cost $19.99 for access, and circuit court cases run $29.99. These fees let you view documents in that particular case. The free search shows you what cases exist, but the paper trail inside those cases is behind the paywall.

What You Can Find Online

The online system includes complaints, motions, court orders, and judgments filed in civil cases. Newer cases tend to have more complete document sets online. Older cases from before the digital switchover may only show basic index data. The actual paper files are stored at the clerk office. If you need something from an older case, you might have to visit or call Livingston. Staff can check what they have on file and let you know.

In-Person Record Requests

For those who prefer face-to-face service, the clerk office in Livingston welcomes walk-in visitors. You can use public computer terminals to search the system. Staff will pull files for cases you want to look at. Getting copies in person is sometimes cheaper than online fees. This is true if you only need a few pages from a file. The staff can tell you what the copy costs will be before you commit.

Types of Civil Cases in Sumter County

Sumter County courts handle a range of civil matters. Which court hears your case depends on how much money is at stake and what type of dispute you have.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

Under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30, circuit court has jurisdiction over civil cases where more than $20,000 is at issue. This covers injury suits, big contract disputes, business fights, and real estate matters. Circuit court also handles equity cases like injunctions and quiet title actions. The dollar amount does not matter for those. Cases here tend to be more complex. They take longer to resolve. In a rural county like Sumter, circuit civil cases often involve land disputes, car wrecks, and contract claims.

District Court Civil Cases

Sumter County District Court takes civil matters up to $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases here include debt collection and landlord-tenant fights. You also see property damage claims and smaller contract disputes. The process moves faster than circuit court. Most district civil cases wrap up in a few months.

Small Claims Court

For disputes under $6,000, the small claims division of district court offers a simpler path. Per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31, small claims is meant to be informal and low cost. You do not need a lawyer to file or argue a small claims case. The court provides forms and basic help for people going it alone. Typical matters include security deposit fights, minor contract issues, and small debts. Many folks handle these cases without any legal training at all.

Domestic Relations

The Circuit Clerk also keeps records of divorces, custody cases, and support orders. These are civil matters handled under family law rules. Sometimes these records connect to other civil disputes, such as when property division leads to liens or collection issues.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Alabama law and court rules govern your right to access civil court records in Sumter County. Understanding these rules helps if you run into any trouble getting the records you need.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives every Alabama citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. The law says courts should read it broadly. The goal is to let people see records. If an agency says no, they have to prove why an exception applies. The burden sits on the government, not you. This applies to civil court records held by the Circuit Clerk in Sumter County.

Court Filing Requirements

Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 sets out the fee schedule for filing civil cases. This statute covers the whole state, including Sumter County. Filing fees help fund court operations. The fees vary based on case type and the amount of money at stake. You can ask the clerk for a current fee schedule before you file anything.

Court Jurisdiction

Circuit court jurisdiction comes from Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. This gives circuit courts authority over civil cases worth more than $20,000. District court jurisdiction under Alabama Code Section 12-12-30 handles civil disputes up to $20,000. Knowing these limits helps you figure out which court has a case you are looking for.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open for inspection unless a statute or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that can be sealed or blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account details. Most civil case documents remain public. You can inspect them at the clerk office.

Statutes of Limitation

Civil lawsuits have to be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you get six years for claims on written contracts. Personal injury claims have a two-year deadline under Section 6-2-38. If you miss these deadlines, you lose your right to sue. These limits affect what active cases you might find in the system at any given time.

How to Get Civil Court Records

In Person

Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 115 Washington Street in Livingston. Bring photo ID with you. Tell the staff what case you need. If you have a case number, that helps a lot. Staff can also search by party names. You can look through the file and ask for copies. Standard copies run about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Most requests get filled the same day if records are on hand.

Online

Visit sumter.alacourt.gov and set up an account. Search by party name or case number. Pay the fee to open a case file and see the documents inside. You can print or save what you find. The online system works around the clock. This helps if you cannot make it to Livingston during office hours. It is probably the fastest way to get records when you know what case you need.

By Mail

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 115 Washington Street, Livingston, AL 35470. Include the names of all parties and a rough date range. Say what type of case it was. Enclose a check or money order made payable to Sumter County Circuit Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply. Expect about 5 to 10 business days for a response. It could take longer if the office is busy.

What Information You Need

To search well, gather as much of this as you can: full names of parties involved, the approximate date the case was filed, the type of case (small claims, civil, domestic), and the case number if you have it. More details mean faster results. Even partial information helps the staff narrow things down.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records often tie into other public records. Checking these sources can give you a more complete picture when you research a person or business.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

When someone wins a civil judgment, they can record it as a lien on the losing party's real estate. These liens get filed with the Sumter County Probate Judge, not the Circuit Clerk. Under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190, judgment liens attach to property in any county where they are recorded. Searching property records might turn up judgments that do not show in a basic court search. It is worth checking both places for a full picture.

Sumter County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions. It also records deeds, mortgages, and other property papers. While these are not civil court records strictly speaking, probate matters sometimes link to civil disputes over inheritances, property transfers, or who gets to be guardian.

Federal Court Records

Sumter County sits in the Southern District of Alabama. The federal courthouse in Mobile handles cases about federal law, bankruptcy, and disputes between people from different states when more than $75,000 is at stake. Check PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov for federal case searches. Some business disputes and bigger civil matters wind up in federal court rather than state court.

Bankruptcy Filings

Bankruptcy can change civil lawsuits in big ways. If someone files for bankruptcy, most civil collection work has to stop automatically. Outstanding judgments might get discharged or restructured through the bankruptcy process. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama keeps these records on PACER.

Alabama Secretary of State

For civil cases that involve businesses, the Alabama Secretary of State maintains business entity records including registered agent info. This can be useful for service of process or finding parties to a lawsuit.

Legal Assistance Resources

If you need help with a civil matter in Sumter County but cannot pay for a private attorney, several groups offer free or low-cost legal services.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Sumter County. They handle housing problems, consumer issues, family law matters, and benefits cases. Call their statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 to check if you qualify. Income limits apply. They help many folks who otherwise could not get a lawyer.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer 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 an attorney who handles your type of case. This helps when you need some advice but are not sure if you need full help. The lawyer can look at your case and tell you what your options are.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help offers free guides, court forms, and information for people handling civil matters on their own. The site covers small claims steps, landlord-tenant law, consumer rights, and other common topics. If you are going to represent yourself in a civil case, this is a solid place to start learning the process.

University of West Alabama

Livingston is home to the University of West Alabama. While the school does not have a law clinic, students and faculty sometimes participate in community legal education programs. Check with the university about any upcoming workshops or resources that might help with understanding your legal options.

Search Civil Court Records

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

Cities and Towns in Sumter County

Sumter County includes Livingston as the county seat along with smaller communities like York, Emelle, Cuba, Geiger, and Gainesville. Civil court records for residents of all these places are kept at the county level by the Circuit Clerk in Livingston. None of the municipalities in Sumter County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. This is a sparsely populated rural county, so the courthouse in Livingston serves everyone. The nearest larger cities include Tuscaloosa to the northeast and Meridian, Mississippi to the west.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Sumter County or are close by. Each one has its own Circuit Clerk office that handles civil court records for that area. If you need records from a case filed in a neighboring county, you will have to contact that county directly.