Access Barbour County Court Records
Court records for Barbour County are kept at the courthouse in Clayton. The Circuit Clerk handles all civil, criminal, and domestic cases for the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Barbour County Quick Facts
Barbour County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk keeps all court records in Barbour County. This office takes new case filings, holds on to files, and gives copies to anyone who needs them. Staff can help you find records and tell you about fees. They deal with all sorts of requests and know the system well.
| Address | 1 Court Square Clayton, AL 36016 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 775-8371 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | barbour.alacourt.gov |
The Barbour County Courthouse sits on Court Square in downtown Clayton. This old building is the center of county government. You can park around the square. There is security at the entrance like all Alabama courthouses.
The 5th Judicial Circuit
Barbour County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit with Bullock, Chambers, Macon, Randolph, and Tallapoosa counties. Judges rotate among these counties to hear cases. Check with the clerk about court schedules. Judges are not in Clayton every day.
District Court
District Court handles misdemeanors, small civil disputes, and traffic tickets. First hearings in felony cases happen here too before they go to Circuit Court. District Court records are at the same clerk's office.
Probate Court
Probate Court in Barbour County handles estate matters, wills, guardianships, and mental health cases. Marriage licenses come from here. Deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Probate Judge. These records go back many years and are great for research.
How to Get Court Records
Online Access
Barbour County court records are online through Alacourt Access. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search. You can look up records by name, case number, or date. Basic case info is free. Getting docs costs money.
Alacourt has records from Circuit Court, District Court, and some city courts. Not every doc is online. Old records and sealed docs must come from the clerk's office in person. The system updates often but may not show the newest filings right away.
In-Person Requests
Go to the Circuit Clerk's office at 1 Court Square in Clayton during work hours. Bring a photo ID and any info about the case. Case numbers help most. Names and dates work too. Staff will search for records and make copies while you wait.
A public computer may be there for free record searches. This helps you find out what docs you need before paying for copies. Ask staff about the public terminal when you get there.
Mail Requests
You can ask for court records by mail. Send your request to the Circuit Clerk at 1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36016. Put in the case number if you know it. Or give party names and dates. Add your contact info and payment for fees.
Allow two to three weeks for mail requests. If the clerk needs more info or payment, they will contact you. A phone number or email helps speed things up if there are questions.
Electronic Filing
AlaFile is Alabama's e-filing system for court docs. Get to it at efile.alacourt.gov. Lawyers must e-file most civil docs. People filing on their own can use it too. E-filing runs all day and night. That helps when you have deadlines.
Types of Court Records
Civil Cases
Circuit Court civil cases are for money disputes over $20,000. These cover contract suits, injury claims, property fights, and business matters. Files hold the complaint, answer, motions, and judgments. Most civil records are public unless sealed by the court.
Criminal Cases
Felony cases go through Circuit Court. Records show indictments, arrest warrants, bail docs, plea deals, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Some criminal records are limited. This is true for juvenile cases and expunged records.
Domestic Relations
Family law matters cover divorces, child custody, visits, child support, alimony, and protective orders. These files often have personal money info and details about kids. Alabama law limits access to some domestic records to protect privacy.
District Court Cases
Small claims up to $6,000, misdemeanors, and traffic tickets go to District Court. These records are public and can be searched online. Traffic records are often needed for insurance or job background checks.
Probate Records
Estate files have wills, inventories, accounts, and distribution records. Guardianship records are in Probate Court too. Property records here include deeds and mortgages. Marriage license records go back many years.
Court Record Fees
Barbour County charges fees for copies and certifications. These fees are set by Alabama law. You pay when you submit your request. The clerk takes cash, checks, and money orders.
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
|---|---|
| Additional Pages | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Record Search | $10.00 - $25.00 |
Search fees apply when staff must look for records that are hard to find. Old records in storage cost more to get. The search fee is not refunded. It covers the time spent looking even if no records turn up.
Alacourt has its own fees for downloading docs online. Check the site for current prices. Viewing case info is often free. Getting copies of docs costs money through the online system too.
Barbour County Court Resources
Barbour County courts are part of the Alabama court system. Procedures are the same across the state. There are some local differences in schedules and practices though.
Court Forms
Free Alabama court forms are at eforms.alacourt.gov. You can get forms for civil complaints, answers, motions, divorce filings, and more. Fill them out on your computer. That makes them easier to read.
Getting Legal Help
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to low-income folks. Call 866-456-4995 to see if you qualify. The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral at (800) 392-5660 can help you find a lawyer for your case type.
AlabamaLegalHelp.org has self-help info on common legal issues. The site explains procedures and links to forms. It can't give advice on your case. But it helps you know your options and how court works.
Local Resources
Barbour County is a rural county in southeast Alabama. Clayton is a small town. Court may run on a shorter schedule than in bigger counties. Call first to check hours and when the judge is there. This is key if you are coming from far away.
The nearest big city is Dothan in Houston County. If you need Houston County records, contact that county's clerk. Each Alabama county keeps its own court records.
Nearby Counties
Barbour County shares the 5th Judicial Circuit with other counties. Each county has its own clerk and keeps separate records. Here are links to nearby county pages.