Chilton County Court Records
Court records in Chilton County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Clanton. The county is part of Alabama's 19th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Autauga and Elmore counties.
Chilton County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office
The Chilton County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of all court records in the county. This office handles filing of new cases, maintains case files, issues subpoenas, and processes requests for copies of court documents. Staff can help you find records for civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, and family law matters such as divorce and custody disputes. The clerk's office is on the second floor of the Chilton County Courthouse in downtown Clanton.
| Address | 500 2nd Avenue North Clanton, AL 35045 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 755-1551 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | chilton.alacourt.gov |
When visiting the clerk's office, bring valid photo identification. Cash, checks, and money orders are the standard payment methods for copies and search fees. Some courts now accept debit or credit cards too, but call ahead to verify. The office may close for lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, so plan your visit accordingly. Staff members cannot provide legal advice, but they can explain court procedures and help locate specific case files if you have a case number or party name.
How to Access Court Records
Online Access Through Alacourt
The fastest way to search Chilton County court records is through the state's Alacourt Access system at pa.alacourt.com. This online portal contains records from all Alabama trial courts. You can search by name or case number. The system includes civil cases, criminal cases, traffic matters, and domestic relations files. Results show basic case information including filing dates, parties, charges, and current status. Some searches require a small fee.
Alacourt is available around the clock, which makes it handy if you need information outside regular business hours. Keep in mind that the most recent filings may take a few days to appear in the system. For real-time information on pending cases, contact the clerk's office directly.
In-Person Record Requests
You can visit the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours to request court records. Tell the staff what you need, whether that is a specific case file, copies of certain documents, or help finding records related to a particular person. If you know the case number, that speeds things up considerably. The staff will retrieve the file and let you review non-confidential portions. You can then request copies of any documents you need.
Some records are not available to the public. Juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, and sealed records are restricted by law. Adoption records are generally confidential. The clerk will let you know if any requested records fall into a restricted category.
Mail and Written Requests
The Circuit Clerk accepts record requests by mail. Write a letter that includes the full names of the parties involved in the case, approximate dates if known, what type of record you need, and your return address. Include a check or money order for the estimated fees. The office will process your request and mail back the documents. Allow two to four weeks for processing. If the fees exceed what you sent, the clerk will contact you for additional payment before releasing the records.
Types of Court Records Available
Criminal Case Records
Criminal records from Chilton County include felony cases heard in Circuit Court and misdemeanor cases from District Court. Files contain arrest information, charging documents, plea agreements, trial transcripts (if a trial occurred), sentencing orders, and probation records. Traffic violations that rise to the level of criminal offenses, such as DUI charges, are also in this category. The public can access most criminal records, though some documents within a case file may be sealed by court order.
Civil Case Records
Civil court records cover disputes between parties that do not involve criminal charges. This broad category includes contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property disagreements, debt collection actions, and landlord-tenant matters. Circuit Court handles civil cases involving more than a certain dollar amount, while smaller claims go through District Court. Civil case files include the complaint, answer, motions, discovery documents, orders, and final judgments.
Domestic Relations Records
Family law cases are among the most frequently requested records. Divorce files contain the petition, financial disclosures, property settlement agreements, and the final decree. Child custody and visitation orders are part of these records too. Child support cases include payment histories and modification orders. Paternity actions establish legal fatherhood. Some portions of domestic relations files may be restricted, particularly those involving minor children or sensitive financial information.
Probate Court Records
While the Probate Court operates separately from the Circuit Court, it handles important records. Wills, estate administrations, guardianship cases, and conservatorship matters fall under probate jurisdiction. Marriage licenses are issued through Probate Court in Alabama. These records are available at the Probate Judge's office in the courthouse.
Court Record Fees
Chilton County charges fees for court record services as authorized by Alabama law. These fees help cover the cost of maintaining records and providing copies.
| Record Search | $10.00 - $25.00 depending on search type |
|---|---|
| Copy Fee (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional Pages | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Archived Record Retrieval | $25.00 |
Fees are subject to change, so verify current rates before submitting payment. The Alacourt online system has its own fee structure for electronic searches. Government agencies, attorneys of record, and parties to a case may have different fee arrangements. Indigent individuals may request a fee waiver by filing an affidavit of substantial hardship with the court.
19th Judicial Circuit Information
Chilton County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit along with Autauga County and Elmore County. Circuit judges rotate among the three counties to hear cases. This arrangement means that the judge assigned to your case may not always be physically present in Clanton. Check the court calendar for scheduling information.
The District Attorney's office for the 19th Circuit handles criminal prosecutions across all three counties. Their office can provide information about pending criminal cases and victim services. For civil matters and family law cases, private attorneys or legal aid organizations can assist with your court needs.
Legal Resources
If you need legal help but cannot afford an attorney, several options exist. Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents. They can help with family law matters, housing issues, and consumer problems. Contact them at 1-866-456-4995 or visit AlabamaLegalHelp.org for information.
The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service that can connect you with attorneys who handle your type of case. Some attorneys offer free initial consultations. The Chilton County Bar Association may also have resources for finding local legal help.
Nearby Counties
Court records for cases filed in neighboring counties are available through their respective Circuit Clerk offices.