Search Hoover Court Records
Court records for Hoover residents are maintained by the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk and Shelby County Circuit Clerk. The city spans both counties, so the location of your case determines which courthouse holds the records.
Hoover Quick Facts
Which County Handles Your Records
Hoover straddles the line between Jefferson County and Shelby County. This means court records for Hoover residents may be filed in either county depending on where the incident occurred or where the parties reside. Most of Hoover lies within Jefferson County, which handles the bulk of court filings.
When you need to find a court record, the first step is figuring out which county has jurisdiction. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the alleged crime took place. Civil cases can be filed in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose. Domestic relations matters like divorce are typically filed in the county where either spouse resides.
Jefferson County (Primary)
The majority of Hoover falls within Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk maintains all Circuit Court and District Court records for the Birmingham Division of the 10th Judicial Circuit. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and appeals from lower courts.
| Court | Jefferson County Circuit Court - Birmingham Division |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 10th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Jackie Anderson-Smith |
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420 Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
Shelby County (Eastern Portion)
A smaller portion of Hoover extends into Shelby County. Residents in that area may have their court records maintained by the Shelby County Circuit Clerk in Columbiana. The 18th Judicial Circuit serves Shelby County.
| Court | Shelby County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 18th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Mary H. Harris |
| Address | 112 North Main Street, Room 1F Columbiana, AL 35051 |
How to Access Court Records
There are three main ways to search for court records involving Hoover residents. The method you choose depends on how much information you have about the case and whether you need certified copies.
Online Search via Alacourt Access
The fastest way to find court records is through the Alacourt Access system at pa.alacourt.com. This statewide database contains records from both Jefferson County and Shelby County courts. You can search by party name or case number.
Search fees apply when using Alacourt Access. A basic name search costs $9.99. District Court case reports run $19.99 and Circuit Court case reports cost $29.99. The system returns case type, filing dates, party names, charges or claims, and current status. Some documents may be available for download.
In-Person at the Courthouse
You can visit the Circuit Clerk's office in person to search records and request copies. Jefferson County maintains a public access computer terminal in the clerk's office where you can search the system without paying online fees. Bring government-issued ID and any case information you have.
The Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana keeps similar hours. Both offices are closed on state holidays.
Written Request by Mail
If you cannot visit in person, you can submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk. Include the full names of parties, approximate dates of the case, case type if known, and a return address. Enclose payment by check or money order. Processing typically takes one to three weeks.
Mail requests for Jefferson County go to: Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420, Birmingham, AL 35203.
Types of Court Records Available
Alabama courts maintain several categories of records. The type of case determines which court has jurisdiction and which records exist.
Circuit Court Records
Circuit Courts handle civil cases over $10,000, all felony criminal cases, divorce and custody matters, appeals from District Court, and equity cases. These are courts of general jurisdiction. Most serious legal matters end up in Circuit Court.
District Court Records
District Courts maintain records for civil cases under $20,000, misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. These courts handle high volumes of routine cases.
Municipal Court Records
The Hoover Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and traffic tickets issued within Hoover city limits. These records are separate from the county court system. You can access Hoover Municipal Court information through the city website at hoover.org/departments/courts.
Probate Court Records
Probate Courts handle wills and estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, and marriage licenses. Property records including deeds are also maintained by the Probate Court. Jefferson County has an extensive probate records system accessible through LANDMARK WEB.
Courthouse Information
Jefferson County Courthouse
The main courthouse serving most Hoover residents is the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. The building houses the Circuit Clerk's office, courtrooms, and related county offices.
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Public Access | Computer terminal available in clerk's office |
Jefferson County Family Court
Family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases are handled at the Jefferson County Family Court facility.
| Address | 120 2nd Court North Birmingham, AL 35204 |
|---|---|
| Juvenile Docket | (205) 325-5444 |
| Adult Docket | (205) 325-5803 |
Hoover Municipal Court
For city-level matters like traffic tickets and ordinance violations within Hoover, contact the Hoover Municipal Court directly.
| Website | hoover.org/departments/courts |
|---|
Legal Aid Resources
If you need help understanding court records or navigating the legal system, several organizations provide free or low-cost assistance to qualifying individuals.
Legal Services Alabama - Birmingham Office
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to low-income residents in civil matters including family law, housing, consumer issues, and public benefits. They serve all 67 Alabama counties.
| Address | 1820 7th Ave North, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 328-3540 |
| Statewide Hotline | 866-456-4995 |
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
The Birmingham Bar Association operates a volunteer lawyer program that connects eligible individuals with attorneys who provide pro bono legal services.
| Phone | (205) 250-5198 |
|---|
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
If you need to hire an attorney, the Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service that can connect you with attorneys in your area who handle your type of case.
| Phone | 1-800-392-5660 |
|---|
Online Legal Resources
AlabamaLegalHelp.org provides free legal information, self-help resources, and court forms. The site covers topics like divorce, child custody, landlord-tenant issues, and consumer rights. Court forms are available through the Administrative Office of Courts at eforms.alacourt.gov.
Search Court Records
Use our search tool to find court record information for Hoover and surrounding areas.
Nearby Cities
Other major Alabama cities with court record information available on this site:
Related Counties
Court records for Hoover residents are maintained by these counties: