Search Baldwin County Court Records
Court records in Baldwin County are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the 28th Judicial Circuit. There are offices in Bay Minette and Fairhope.
Baldwin County Quick Facts
Baldwin County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office handles all court records for Baldwin County in the 28th Judicial Circuit. The office takes new filings, keeps court files, and gives copies to the public. Baldwin County is the largest county in Alabama by land size. It runs from the Gulf beaches to the Alabama River delta.
Due to its size, the county has two court spots. The main courthouse is in Bay Minette, the county seat. A second office is in Fairhope for folks in the south part. Both can handle record requests. Some old files may only be in Bay Minette though.
| Main Office | 312 Courthouse Square #10 Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
|---|---|
| Bay Minette Phone | (251) 937-9561 |
| Satellite Office | 1100 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL 36532 |
| Fairhope Phone | (251) 928-3002 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | baldwin.alacourt.gov |
Baldwin County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama for years. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach draw tourists and new folks. This growth has raised the court's workload. Real estate fights, traffic cases, and family matters have all gone up with the population.
How to Access Court Records
Online Access
Baldwin County court records are on Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com. The state system lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. Basic searches are free. Full doc access needs a paid account. The system has circuit and district court cases.
The county also has the Open Baldwin data portal. It gives access to public records and data. This can help with property research tied to court cases. The probate court has its own online tools for deeds, mortgages, and estate records.
In-Person Access
Both courthouse spots are open during work hours. The Bay Minette courthouse sits on the main square downtown. Parking is around the square. The Fairhope office is better for folks in the south part of the county.
Staff at both spots can help you search for cases and ask for copies. Public terminals may be there for self-service. If you know the case number, finding records is easy. Name searches take more time, especially for common names. Bring ID and be ready to pay fees for copies.
Mail Requests
Mail requests go to the Bay Minette address. Put in as much info as you have about the case. Give the case number if you know it. Or use party names, dates, and case type. Say what docs you need. Send a check or money order to Baldwin County Circuit Clerk.
Allow one to two weeks for your request. Older records may take longer. If you have a deadline, call first. Staff can tell you if records are ready and give a fee estimate.
Types of Court Records Available
Civil Records
Civil cases include suits for money, property fights, contract claims, and business disputes. Circuit court handles cases over $20,000. District court takes smaller claims. Baldwin County sees a lot of real estate cases due to the busy property market. Hurricane damage and building defect cases are common too.
Criminal Records
Criminal files show prosecutions for Alabama law violations. Circuit court handles felonies. District court handles misdemeanors. The beach towns see more crime in summer. DUI arrests spike during tourist season. Records have charges, bond info, pleas, and sentencing orders.
Family Court Records
Family cases include divorce, child custody, child support, and visits. The growing population means more family court filings. Protection orders are filed here too. Some family court records have limited access to protect kids and abuse victims.
Traffic Cases
Traffic tickets are handled in district court. Beach traffic on Highway 59 and Interstate 10 leads to many tickets, especially in summer. Records show the citation, court date, plea, and outcome. Many traffic cases can be closed by paying fines without going to court.
Property and Real Estate
Probate property records are often tied to civil cases even though they are not court records per se. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements go through probate court. Civil judgments can be recorded as liens on property. The probate court is in the same building as the circuit clerk in Bay Minette.
Fees for Court Records
Baldwin County charges fees for copies and certification. Call the clerk's office for the current fee list. Fees help cover the cost of staff time and supplies used to make copies and handle requests.
| Standard Copies | Contact clerk for current rates |
|---|---|
| Certified Copies | Additional fee for certification |
| Search Fees | May apply for staff-assisted research |
| Payment Methods | Cash, check accepted |
Fees are the same at Bay Minette and Fairhope. If you plan to order many docs, call first for a fee estimate. Big orders may not be ready the same day. You might need to pick them up later or have them mailed.
Baldwin County Court Search Portal
The image below shows the Baldwin County Circuit Court site. It has info on court services and links to Alacourt for online record searches.
Nearby Counties
Baldwin County sits on the east shore of Mobile Bay. It borders Mobile County across the bay and other counties to the north.
Major Cities in Baldwin County
Baldwin County has no cities with over 50,000 people right now. The largest towns are Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach. All court cases from these cities go through the Baldwin County court system.
Even without big cities, Baldwin County has over 230,000 people and keeps growing. Court records for all towns in the county are kept by the circuit clerk at the spots listed above.