Search Huntsville Court Records

Court records for folks in Huntsville are kept by the Madison County Circuit Clerk. You can look them up online through Alacourt or go in person to the Madison County Courthouse downtown.

Which County Handles Huntsville Court Records

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. All court records for Huntsville folks get filed at the Madison County Courthouse. The city does reach into parts of Limestone, Morgan, and Marshall Counties too. Most people fall under Madison County though. If you live on the edge in one of those other areas, your records might be filed in that county instead.

The 23rd Judicial Circuit serves Madison County. It handles all circuit court work here. This means big criminal cases, civil suits over $20,000, family cases like divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts. The circuit clerk keeps records for all these kinds of cases.

How to Access Court Records in Huntsville

You have a few ways to get court records in Huntsville. What you pick depends on what you need and how soon you need it. Some folks like to search from home while others want to go to the courthouse. Mail requests work too if you have time to wait.

Online Access Through Alacourt

The state runs Alacourt Public Access at pa.alacourt.com. This is the quickest way to find case info from home or work. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The site shows case summaries, court dates, and how things turned out. Keep in mind that some records are sealed due to privacy laws, so you might not see all of them.

Basic searches on Alacourt are free. You can see case info on your screen at no cost. Want to print papers or get certified copies? That costs money. The site has circuit court, district court, and some municipal court records from all over the state.

In-Person at the Courthouse

Stop by the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville if you want to look at records in person. The Circuit Clerk's office sits on the first floor. Staff there can help you find cases and make copies of what you need. Just bring a good photo ID with you.

The courthouse has public computers you can use. Search the records yourself if you want. This helps when you have to look through lots of cases or want to browse on your own without asking staff for help each time.

By Mail

Cannot visit in person? Request records by mail instead. Write to the Circuit Clerk's office with all the details you can give. Put in the names of folks in the case, rough dates, and case numbers if you know them. Add a check or money order to cover the search fee and copy costs.

Fees for Court Record Requests

Types of Court Records Available

Criminal Court Records

Criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor cases in Madison County courts. These files show what charges got filed, court dates, pleas, trial results, and jail time. Big crimes go to circuit court. Most smaller ones go through district court. For arrest records, booking info, and jail records, check with the Madison County Sheriff's Office instead of the court clerk.

Civil Court Records

Civil cases are fights between people, firms, or groups. Circuit court takes cases over $20,000. District court deals with smaller claims and renter disputes. Civil files have the complaint, answers, motions, orders, and the final ruling. Most of them are open to anyone. A judge can seal them though, and then you cannot look.

Family Court Records

The Family Court part of circuit court deals with divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and abuse cases. Some of these files have blocked access to keep kids and abuse victims safe. You might have to show a good reason why you need to see certain family court records.

Traffic and Municipal Court Records

Huntsville Municipal Court handles traffic tickets, parking fines, and city rule breaks within city limits. For those, call municipal court, not the circuit clerk. District court takes traffic crimes outside city limits and worse stuff like drunk driving.

Probate Court Records

Probate records go through a different court in Madison County. The Probate Judge runs wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health cases. You also get marriage licenses there. These records are kept apart from what the circuit clerk has, so you have to ask probate if that is what you need.

Courthouse Information

Madison County Courthouse

The main courthouse sits on the north side of the old courthouse square in downtown Huntsville. Go here for most record requests, to file a case, or to show up for court. The building has been around a long time and is easy to find once you get to the square.

Huntsville Municipal Court

Got a traffic ticket or city fine? Head to the municipal court instead of the county courthouse. The two are not the same place, so make sure you go to the right one or you might end up wasting a trip across town.

Madison County Courts Online Portal

The Madison County Courts site has info on court schedules, clerk help, and how to get records. You can find phone numbers, forms, and answers to common questions there. It is a good spot to start if you are not sure what to do next.

Legal Aid Resources in Huntsville

Need help with a court case but cannot pay for a lawyer? A few groups give free or cheap legal aid to folks who qualify. Check these out if you are on a tight budget and have a legal issue to deal with.

Legal Services Alabama - Huntsville Office

Legal Services Alabama gives free civil legal help to low-income folks. They take cases about family law, housing, public aid, and buyer issues. They do not do criminal work, so if you got charged with a crime you need to look somewhere else.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

The state bar has a referral service. They can hook you up with lawyers in the Huntsville area. You pay a small fee for the first meeting, but after that you and the lawyer work out the rest of the cost on your own.

Madison County Bar Association

The local bar group might help you find a lawyer. They also know about free legal programs in the area. Give them a call and see what kind of help they can point you to.

Self-Help Resources

The state has court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. You can grab and fill out a lot of common forms on your own if you plan to go to court by yourself. AlabamaLegalHelp.org also has guides and info on common legal stuff that might help you out.

Nearby Cities

Here are some other big Alabama cities. We have court records pages for each one on this site.

Search Court Records

Use our search tool to find court records for Huntsville and Madison County. Type in a name and see what shows up.