Blount County Court Records
Court records for Blount County are maintained at the courthouse in Oneonta. The Circuit Clerk manages all civil, criminal, and domestic filings for the 27th Judicial Circuit.
Blount County Quick Facts
Blount County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court records in Blount County. This office processes new filings, keeps existing case files, and provides copies to those who request them. Staff members can help you locate records and explain the fees.
| Address | 220 2nd Avenue East Oneonta, AL 35121 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 625-4153 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | blount.alacourt.gov |
The Blount County Courthouse is on 2nd Avenue East in downtown Oneonta. This is the main government center for the county. Street parking and public lots are nearby. All visitors go through security at the entrance, so plan a few extra minutes for your visit.
The 27th Judicial Circuit
Blount County shares the 27th Judicial Circuit with Marshall County. Judges rotate between the two counties to handle cases. This shared arrangement means court schedules vary. Call ahead to verify when judges will be available in Oneonta if you have a hearing scheduled.
District Court
District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases under $20,000. Preliminary hearings for felonies also happen here. District Court records are part of the unified court system and accessible through the same office.
Probate Court
The Probate Court manages estates, wills, guardianships, and mental health cases. Marriage licenses are issued here. Property records including deeds and mortgages are filed with the Probate Judge. These records are valuable for real estate transactions and genealogy research.
How to Get Court Records
Online Access
Blount County court records can be searched online through Alacourt Access. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search by party name, case number, or date. Basic case information is available for free. Downloading actual documents costs money.
The Alacourt system covers Circuit Court, District Court, and some municipal court records. Not everything is online, particularly older records and sealed documents. The system updates regularly but may not show filings made within the last day or two.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Circuit Clerk at 220 2nd Avenue East in Oneonta during regular hours. Bring photo ID and information about the case you need. Case numbers work best, but party names and dates help too. Staff will search for your records and make copies while you wait.
The courthouse may have a public access terminal for free record searches. This helps you identify what documents you need before paying for copies. Ask the clerk's staff about using the public terminal when you arrive.
Mail Requests
You can request records by mail. Write to the Circuit Clerk at 220 2nd Avenue East, Oneonta, AL 35121. Include case numbers if known, or provide party names and approximate dates. Add your contact information and payment for estimated fees.
Allow one to two weeks for processing. More complex requests take longer. The clerk will contact you if more payment is needed or if they have questions. A phone number speeds up communication.
E-Filing
AlaFile allows electronic filing at efile.alacourt.gov. Attorneys must e-file most civil documents. Self-represented parties can use it too. The system runs around the clock for convenient filing at any time.
Types of Court Records
Civil Cases
Circuit Court civil cases involve disputes exceeding $20,000. These include contract disagreements, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, and business conflicts. Files contain complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments. Most civil records are public unless the court has sealed them.
Criminal Cases
Felony prosecutions go through Circuit Court. Records include indictments, arrest documents, bail records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Some criminal records are restricted, especially those involving juveniles or expunged cases.
Domestic Relations
Family law matters include divorces, child custody, child support, and protective orders. These files often contain sensitive financial and personal information. Alabama law restricts some domestic records, particularly when children are involved.
District Court Records
Small claims up to $6,000, misdemeanors, and traffic cases are in District Court. These records are generally public. Traffic records are commonly requested for insurance and employment background checks.
Probate Records
Estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships are handled by Probate Court. Marriage license records are here too. Property documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens are public records filed with the Probate Judge.
Court Record Fees
Blount County charges fees established by Alabama law for court record services. Payment is required when you request records. The clerk accepts 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 not readily in the system. Archived records cost more because staff must retrieve them from storage. Search fees are non-refundable regardless of whether records are found.
Alacourt charges separately for online downloads. Using the free public terminal at the courthouse saves money if you only need to view records without getting official copies.
Blount County Court Resources
Blount County courts are part of the Alabama Unified Judicial System. Standard state procedures apply with some local variations in scheduling.
Court Forms
Free Alabama court forms are at eforms.alacourt.gov. These include civil complaint forms, divorce petitions, custody papers, and many other documents. Forms can be filled out on your computer before printing.
Legal Help
Legal Services Alabama provides free legal help to low-income residents. Call 866-456-4995 to check if you qualify. The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral service at (800) 392-5660 connects you with attorneys for your type of case.
AlabamaLegalHelp.org has self-help information on common legal matters. The site explains procedures and provides links to forms and resources. It cannot advise on specific cases but helps you understand your options.
Location and Access
Blount County is north of Birmingham in the Appalachian foothills. The closest large city is Birmingham in Jefferson County, about 35 miles to the south. Huntsville is to the north in Madison County. If you need records from those cities, contact their respective county clerks.
Nearby Counties
Blount County shares the 27th Judicial Circuit with Marshall County. Each county has its own clerk and maintains separate records. Here are links to neighboring county pages.