Search Tuscaloosa County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Tuscaloosa County show lawsuits, contract disputes, small claims cases, and other civil matters filed in the county's circuit and district courts. The Circuit Clerk's office at 714 Greensboro Avenue keeps all civil case files. They give public access to court docs. Tuscaloosa County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit and serves the city of Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama. You can search records online through Alacourt. You can also go to the courthouse in person during work hours. The clerk's staff can help you find cases by party name or case number. They will give you copies of docs if you ask.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Tuscaloosa County. Magaria H. Bobo serves as the current Circuit Clerk. The office handles filing of new civil cases, keeps case files, works on document requests, and issues certified copies of court records. Staff can help with record searches. They also explain how to get specific docs. If you call ahead, they can often pull files for you before you arrive at the courthouse. This saves time when you visit in person.

Courthouse Location

The Tuscaloosa County Courthouse sits at 714 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. The building holds the Circuit Clerk's office, courtrooms, and other county offices. You can park in nearby lots or use on-street meters. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to ask for court records. Security screening is needed at the entrance, so plan to arrive a few minutes early if you have a deadline. The staff at the front desk can point you to the right office once you get inside.

Online Civil Court Records Access

You can search Tuscaloosa County civil court records online through Alacourt. This is the main statewide court records database. The county also has its own portal at tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov for local case searches.

Alacourt Public Access

The Alacourt Public Access portal lets you search civil court records from all 67 Alabama counties. That includes Tuscaloosa. You need to make a free account to use it. Search by party name or case number. District court case lookups cost $19.99. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. The fee lets you view and print court docs from that case. Once you pay, you can come back and view the same case again without paying more.

Tuscaloosa County Court Portal

The Tuscaloosa County Court Portal gives direct access to local court records. This system is part of the Alacourt network. It uses the same login info. The local portal may have some extra features just for Tuscaloosa County courts.

What You Can Find Online

Online records often include case filing info, party names, hearing dates, judgments, and some court orders. Not all docs are on the web. Older cases and some sealed filings may only exist in paper form at the courthouse. For a full case file, you may need to visit the Circuit Clerk's office in person. Paper files go back many years, and staff can help you find what you need if the online system comes up short.

Types of Civil Cases in Tuscaloosa County

Civil court records cover many kinds of legal disputes. One party seeks money or other relief from another. Tuscaloosa County courts handle civil matters at different levels based on how much money is at stake.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court has power over civil cases where the amount at stake is more than $20,000 under Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. These include personal injury lawsuits, medical malpractice claims, major contract disputes, business fights, real property disputes, and class action lawsuits. Circuit court also handles all equity matters like injunctions. Cases at this level often need lawyers. They may take months or years to wrap up.

District Court Civil Cases

District court handles civil matters where the amount is $20,000 or less as set in Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common case types include landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, debt collection, minor contract disputes, property damage claims, and consumer complaints. District court tends to move faster than circuit court. It is also less formal. Many cases wrap up in a few months or less.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is a part of district court. It handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. The process is meant to be simple and quick. Many people go to court on their own without a lawyer. Common small claims matters include security deposit disputes, minor car crash damage, unpaid bills, and broken verbal deals. Filing fees are lower here. Cases are often heard within a few weeks.

How to Search Civil Court Records

There are several ways to find civil court records in Tuscaloosa County. It depends on what you need and how fast you need the info.

In-Person Searches

Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse during work hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the staff as much info as you have about the case. This includes party names, rough dates, and case type. They can search and pull case files for you to look at. Standard copies cost about $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies have an extra fee on top of that.

Online Searches

Use Alacourt Public Access at pa.alacourt.com or the Tuscaloosa County portal at tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov. Make an account, search by name or case number, and pay the fee to view docs. This is the fastest way if you know the case details. You can do it from home any time of day.

Written Requests

Mail a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 714 Greensboro Ave Rm 214, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Include full party names, rough filing date range, case type, your return address, and a check or money order for fees. Make it payable to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. Allow 5 to 10 work days for a response.

Public Records Requests

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, you have the right to look at and copy public records. Send a formal request if the usual search methods do not work. The law says agencies must lean toward letting you see records. If they say no, they have to show why an exception applies.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Alabama are set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These fees apply across the whole state. That includes Tuscaloosa County.

Copy and Certification Fees

Standard copies of court docs cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee that varies. Online access through Alacourt costs $19.99 for district cases and $29.99 for circuit cases. Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (205) 464-8259 for current fee info. Fees can change, so it is wise to check before you pay.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay filing fees, you can ask the judge to waive them. You must file an affidavit of hardship. This shows that paying fees would be a burden. The judge looks at your income, expenses, and assets before making a call. Fee waivers are allowed under Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. The clerk's office can give you the form you need to apply.

Legal Aid and Free Resources

Several groups give free or low-cost legal help to Tuscaloosa County residents who need aid with civil court matters. The University of Alabama is here. That means there are extra resources you will not find in other counties.

Legal Services Alabama - Tuscaloosa Office

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal aid to low-income residents who qualify. Their Tuscaloosa office handles cases about housing, family law, consumer issues, public benefits, and other civil matters. Call the office at (205) 758-7503 for intake and screening. You can also call the statewide line at 1-866-456-4995.

University of Alabama Law Clinics

The University of Alabama School of Law runs several legal clinics. Law students, watched over by licensed lawyers, give free legal help to clients who qualify. The clinics handle civil matters like housing, consumer issues, and family law. Call the law school clinics at (205) 348-4960 to learn what services are on hand and who can use them.

Free Counsel Clinics

The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association and Legal Services Alabama host free counsel clinics at the Courthouse Annex. Volunteer lawyers give brief talks and legal advice to people who cannot pay for a lawyer. These clinics are held a few times a year. Call Legal Services Alabama at (205) 758-7503 or the Circuit Clerk's office to find out when the next clinic will be. Getting there early is a good idea since spots can fill up fast.

Alabama Legal Help

Alabama Legal Help is a free online site with self-help info, court forms, and legal guides. The site covers topics like landlord-tenant law, small claims court, debt collection, and family law. This is a good place to start if you need to handle a civil matter on your own.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. You pay up to $50 for a 30-minute talk with a lawyer in your area. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This is a fast way to get some basic advice before you decide whether to hire someone.

Alabama Laws Governing Civil Court Records

Several Alabama laws control how civil court records are made, kept, and accessed. Knowing these laws helps you understand your rights when asking for records.

Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to look at and copy public records. The law says it must be read broadly to favor letting people see records. When an agency says no, they must show that a specific exception applies. This law covers court records unless another statute makes them private.

Court Record Fees

Alabama Code Section 36-12-41 lets agencies charge fair fees for copies of public records. The fees must match real costs. They cannot be used to block access. Most Circuit Clerk offices charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per page for standard copies.

Court Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. Rule 104(A) says court records are open to view unless a law, rule, or court order says otherwise. The rules list 91 types of info that may be private or blacked out. This includes social security numbers, bank account numbers, and some juvenile records.

Statutes of Limitations

Civil lawsuits must be filed within time limits set by Alabama law. Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, written contract claims have a six-year limit. Personal injury and property damage claims under Section 6-2-38 have a two-year limit. Medical malpractice has a two-year limit with a four-year outer cap under Section 6-5-482. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue.

Start Your Search

Use our search tool to find civil court records from Tuscaloosa County and other spots in Alabama.

Cities in Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County includes the city of Tuscaloosa and several smaller towns. Civil court records for residents of all these places are handled by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk.

Other towns in Tuscaloosa County include Northport, Cottondale, Brookwood, Coaling, Coker, Lake View, Moundville, Vance, and Woodstock. Civil cases that involve residents of these areas are filed at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

Nearby Counties

If your civil matter involves parties from nearby counties, you may need to search court records in those places too.