Access Madison Court Records
Court records for Madison city residents are maintained by the Madison County Circuit Clerk at the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville. The 23rd Judicial Circuit serves Madison County.
Madison Quick Facts
Which County Handles Your Records
The city of Madison lies primarily within Madison County, with a small portion extending into Limestone County. Most court records for Madison residents are maintained by the Madison County Circuit Clerk in Huntsville. This is where civil lawsuits, criminal cases, and family court matters are filed and stored.
Madison is a fast-growing suburb of Huntsville and ranks among the largest cities in the state. Despite its size, Madison does not have its own circuit court. All significant legal matters must be handled at the county level in Huntsville.
| Court | Madison County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 23rd Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Debra Kizer |
| Address | Madison County Courthouse 100 Northside Square, Room 217 Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3390 |
For residents in the Limestone County portion of Madison, some matters may fall under Limestone County jurisdiction. The Limestone County Courthouse is located in Athens. However, most Madison residents deal exclusively with Madison County courts.
How to Access Court Records
Court records for Madison can be accessed through several channels. Each method has its advantages depending on what you need.
Online Search via Alacourt Access
The Alacourt Access system at pa.alacourt.com provides online access to Madison County court records. You can search by party name or case number. The system returns case type, filing dates, party names, and current status.
Fees apply for Alacourt searches. A name search costs $9.99. District Court case reports run $19.99 and Circuit Court reports cost $29.99. Payment is by credit card. Results include case summaries and some documents may be available for viewing or download.
In-Person at Madison County Courthouse
You can visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Madison County Courthouse to search records. The courthouse is located at 100 Northside Square in downtown Huntsville. This is approximately 10 miles from the city of Madison.
Bring government-issued identification and any case information you have. The clerk's staff can help locate records and provide copies. A public access terminal may be available for searching the electronic system.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding state holidays.
Written Requests by Mail
You can submit a written request to the Madison County Circuit Clerk for court records. Include the full names of all parties, approximate dates, case type if known, and a return address. Enclose payment by check or money order. Mail to: Madison County Circuit Clerk, 100 Northside Square, Room 217, Huntsville, AL 35801. Allow one to three weeks for processing.
Madison Municipal Court
The City of Madison operates its own municipal court that handles city ordinance violations and traffic tickets issued within Madison city limits. These records are separate from county court records.
| Municipal Court Website | madisonal.gov/160/Municipal-Court |
|---|
Court Records Fees
Madison County has established fees for court record services. These apply when requesting copies or searches from the Circuit Clerk's office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages (21+) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Computerized Records Search | $10.00 |
| Paper Records Search | $20.00 |
| Archived Records | $25.00 |
Types of Court Records Available
Madison County courts handle various case types. Understanding the court structure helps you locate records more efficiently.
Circuit Court Records
Circuit Court handles civil cases exceeding $10,000, all felony criminal prosecutions, divorce and custody matters, and appeals from District Court. These are the most serious cases in the state court system. Records include complaints, answers, motions, orders, judgments, and related documents.
District Court Records
District Court maintains records for civil cases under $20,000, misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The court processes thousands of cases annually. These records are available through the same Alacourt system as Circuit Court records.
Family Court Records
Madison County has a Family Court Division that handles domestic relations matters including divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and domestic violence cases. Family court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.
Probate Court Records
The Madison County Probate Court handles wills and estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, and marriage licenses. Property records including deeds and mortgages are also recorded with the Probate Court. These records are maintained separately from Circuit and District Court records.
Courthouse Information
Madison County Courthouse
The Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville serves all residents of the city of Madison. The building is located in the downtown Huntsville square area.
| Address | 100 Northside Square Huntsville, AL 35801 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk Office | Room 217 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3390 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Directions from Madison
From the city of Madison, take US-72 East toward Huntsville. Continue on US-72 until you reach downtown Huntsville. The courthouse is located on Northside Square, which surrounds the Big Spring Park area. Parking is available in nearby public lots and garages. The drive takes approximately 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Legal Aid Resources
Legal assistance is available to Madison residents who cannot afford an attorney. Several organizations serve the Huntsville metro area.
Legal Services Alabama - Huntsville Office
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to low-income residents in civil matters including family law, housing, consumer issues, and public benefits.
| Statewide Hotline | 866-456-4995 |
|---|---|
| Website | legalservicesalabama.org |
AlabamaLegalHelp.org
This free website provides legal information, guides, and court forms. Topics include divorce, custody, landlord-tenant law, debt issues, and more.
| Website | alabamalegalhelp.org |
|---|
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar can refer you to attorneys in the Madison-Huntsville area who handle your type of case.
| Phone | 1-800-392-5660 |
|---|
Court Forms
Free court forms are available through the Administrative Office of Courts at eforms.alacourt.gov. Forms cover divorce, custody modifications, name changes, small claims, and many other case types.
Federal Court Records
Madison and Madison County fall within the Northern District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Federal cases include matters involving federal law, bankruptcy, and disputes between parties from different states.
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. The system charges $0.10 per page with fees waived for accounts under $30 per quarter.
Search Court Records
Use our search tool to find court record information for Madison and Madison County.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Other major Alabama cities with court record information:
Madison County
The city of Madison is located in Madison County. For comprehensive county court information, visit the county page.