Find Court Records in Autauga County
Court records in Autauga County are kept at the courthouse in Prattville. The Circuit Clerk's office handles civil, criminal, and family law cases for the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Autauga County Quick Facts
Autauga County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for Autauga County. This office takes new filings, holds on to case files, and gives copies to lawyers and the public. Staff can help you look for records and tell you about the costs. If you are not sure where to start, just ask at the front desk. They deal with all kinds of requests every day and know how to find what you need fast.
| Address | 176 West 5th Street Prattville, AL 36067 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 358-6800 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | autauga.alacourt.gov |
The Autauga County Courthouse sits on West 5th Street in downtown Prattville. It is the main hub for county services and courts. You can park on the street or in nearby lots. The building has security at the door. Allow extra time for your visit.
The 19th Judicial Circuit
Autauga County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Chilton and Elmore counties. Judges move between these three counties to hear cases. This affects when court is held. Check with the clerk to see when a judge will be in Prattville. The circuit court boss sets the schedule for all three counties.
District Court
District Court handles smaller civil cases, misdemeanors, and traffic tickets. This court also runs first hearings in felony cases. District Court records are kept in the same system as Circuit Court. That makes searches easy.
Probate Court
Autauga County Probate Court deals with estates, wills, and guardianships. You can get marriage licenses here too. Deeds and mortgages are filed with the Probate Judge. These records help with title checks and family history work. A lot of folks use them when buying land or looking up old family ties.
How to Access Court Records
Online Access
Alabama gives online access to court records through Alacourt. Go to pa.alacourt.com to look up cases by name, case number, or date. The system has most civil and criminal cases filed in Alabama courts. You can get some docs for a fee.
Sign up is free for basic searches. You can see case summaries and party info without paying. Getting real docs costs money. Prices vary by doc type and length. Check the site for the current fee list.
In-Person Visits
Walk into the Circuit Clerk's office during work hours to ask for records. Bring a photo ID and any case details you have. Case numbers work best. Names and dates help too. Staff will search and pull files for you to look at.
A public computer is in the courthouse. It lets you search court records for free. Use it to find case info before you decide what copies to get. This saves money versus paying for online access from home.
Mail Requests
Send written requests to the Circuit Clerk at 176 West 5th Street, Prattville, AL 36067. Put in as much detail as you can about what you need. Give your name, address, phone, and payment for fees. The clerk will handle your request and mail docs to you.
Mail requests take one to two weeks. It depends on workload. Hard searches or old records take longer. If the clerk can't find your records or needs more money, they will call you. A phone number or email helps speed things up.
E-Filing
E-filing works through AlaFile at efile.alacourt.gov. Lawyers must e-file most civil docs in Alabama courts. People who file on their own can use it too. E-filing runs 24 hours a day. That helps when you have tight deadlines.
Types of Court Records
Civil Case Records
Circuit Court civil cases are for disputes worth more than $20,000. Common types are contract suits, injury claims, and land disputes. Files hold complaints, answers, motions, and judgments. Most civil records are public unless sealed by the court.
Criminal Case Records
Felony cases go through Circuit Court. Records show indictments, arrest docs, plea deals, trial records, and sentencing orders. Some criminal records have limits on access. This is true for juvenile cases and sealed or expunged records.
Domestic Relations
Family law cases cover divorces, custody fights, child support, and protective orders. These files often have private personal and money info. Alabama law limits access to some domestic records. This is most true when kids are part of the case.
District Court Records
Small claims under $6,000, misdemeanors, and traffic cases go to District Court. These records are public and can be searched on Alacourt. Traffic records are often needed for insurance and jobs.
Probate Records
Estate matters, will filings, and guardianships go through Probate Court. Marriage records are kept here too. Land records like deeds, mortgages, and liens are public and filed with the Probate Judge.
Fees for Court Records
Autauga County charges fees for copies and certifications per Alabama law. You pay when you ask for records. The clerk takes cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices take credit cards with an extra fee.
| Copy Fees (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
|---|---|
| Additional Pages | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Record Search | $10.00 - $25.00 |
Search fees vary based on whether records are in the computer or on paper. Old records stored off-site cost more to get. Staff must go to storage for them. The search fee is not refunded if no records turn up. It covers the work done to look.
Alacourt has its own fees for online doc downloads. The free public terminal at the courthouse saves money if you just need to view records. Some info shows for free on the Alacourt site even without downloads.
Autauga County Court Resources
Court info and local rules are on the Alabama court system site. The state keeps procedures the same across all counties. Some local differences in schedules and practices are allowed though.
Court Forms
Free court forms are at eforms.alacourt.gov. You can get forms for civil cases, divorces, custody, and many other case types. Fill them out on your computer before printing. That makes them easier to read and work with.
Legal Help
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income folks who qualify. Call 866-456-4995 to check if you can get help. The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 392-5660. They can link you with lawyers who handle your type of case.
Self-help info is online at AlabamaLegalHelp.org. The site has info on common legal issues and links to forms. It can't give advice on your case. But it helps you know the procedures and your options.
Nearby Cities
Prattville is the biggest city in Autauga County. It is also the county seat. Court records for Autauga County cases are kept in Prattville no matter where in the county you live. Folks from smaller towns still use the Prattville courthouse for court stuff.
The state capital of Montgomery is close by in Montgomery County. If you need records from a Montgomery case, contact that county's clerk. Each county keeps its own court records.
Nearby Counties
Autauga County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Chilton and Elmore counties. Each county has its own clerk and keeps its own records. Here are links to nearby county pages.