Coffee County Court Records
Court records in Coffee County are maintained at courthouses in both Elba and Enterprise. The county is part of Alabama's 12th Judicial Circuit and has the unusual distinction of having two county seats.
Coffee County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office
The Coffee County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for the county. Because Coffee County has two county seats, there are courthouse facilities in both Elba and Enterprise. The main clerk's office handles filings, maintains case files, and processes record requests. Staff can help you locate documents from civil lawsuits, criminal cases, and family court matters.
Elba Courthouse
| Address | 230 Court Avenue Elba, AL 36323 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 897-2954 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Enterprise Courthouse Annex
| Address | 1206 Boll Weevil Circle Enterprise, AL 36330 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 347-2519 |
| Website | coffee.alacourt.gov |
Having two courthouse locations gives residents options for where to conduct their court business. Call ahead to confirm which office handles your specific type of record. Bring photo identification and any case information you have. Payment methods usually include cash, checks, and money orders.
How to Access Court Records
Online Access Through Alacourt
Coffee County court records are part of the statewide Alacourt Access database at pa.alacourt.com. You can search for cases by name or case number. The system includes civil matters, criminal prosecutions, traffic violations, and family court cases. Results provide basic case information including parties, filing dates, case type, and current status. Criminal searches show charges and dispositions.
Online access works well for quick searches and getting an overview of a case. Recent filings may take a few days to appear in the system. Older records might not be fully digitized. For comprehensive research, combine online searching with direct contact to the clerk's office.
In-Person Requests
You can visit either courthouse to request court records. Staff will search for the files you need and let you review them. You can examine entire case files and order copies of specific documents. This method is particularly useful for older cases or when you need to see everything in a file rather than just selected documents.
Certain records are restricted from public view. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and adoption files cannot be accessed by the general public. Mental health proceedings have confidentiality protections as well. The clerk will inform you if a requested record is restricted.
Written Requests
Mail requests are accepted at the Circuit Clerk's office. Write a letter that specifies what records you need, including names of parties, approximate dates, and case type. Provide your return address and include payment for anticipated fees. The office will process your request and mail the documents to you. Processing typically takes two to three weeks.
Types of Court Records Available
Criminal Case Records
Criminal records from Coffee County cover felonies heard in Circuit Court and misdemeanors from District Court. These files contain arrest documents, charges, bail information, plea agreements, trial records, sentencing orders, and probation documentation. Serious traffic offenses like DUI are processed as criminal cases. Most criminal records are public, though some specific documents may be sealed by court order.
Civil Case Records
Civil records document non-criminal disputes. Contract disagreements, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, foreclosure proceedings, and debt collection cases all fall under civil jurisdiction. Case files include the original complaint, defendant's answer, motions, discovery materials, court orders, and final judgments.
Domestic Relations Records
Family law cases generate frequent record requests. Divorce files contain petitions, financial statements, parenting plans, and final decrees. Child support cases include payment orders and any modifications. Custody and visitation orders document parenting time arrangements. Paternity cases establish legal parentage. Some portions of family files are restricted, particularly when minor children are involved.
Traffic and District Court Records
District Court handles traffic tickets, small claims, and misdemeanor cases. These records are maintained by the same clerk's office that handles Circuit Court files. Traffic violations that do not rise to criminal level are processed here.
Court Record Fees
Coffee County follows Alabama's standard schedule for court record fees. These charges help cover the cost of maintaining the record system and providing copies.
| Record Search | $10.00 - $25.00 |
|---|---|
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional Pages | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Archived Record Retrieval | $25.00 |
Fees are subject to change. Contact the clerk's office to verify current amounts before submitting payment. Alacourt online searches have their own fee structure. Attorneys, case parties, and government agencies may have different fee arrangements.
12th Judicial Circuit
Coffee County shares the 12th Judicial Circuit with Pike County. Circuit judges serve both counties and alternate their schedules between the courthouses. Court sessions do not occur every day in either location. Check the court calendar or contact the clerk to find out when judges will be hearing cases.
The District Attorney for the 12th Circuit handles criminal prosecutions across both counties. Questions about pending criminal matters should go to that office. Civil cases and family law issues require a private attorney or legal aid assistance.
Fort Novosel (Fort Rucker) Area
Coffee County is home to Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), a major Army installation. Military personnel stationed there may have matters in Coffee County courts. The courthouse staff can explain procedures for service members who face unique scheduling challenges.
Legal Resources
Residents who cannot afford legal representation have options. Legal Services Alabama offers free civil legal help to qualifying individuals based on income. They handle family law, housing issues, consumer matters, and public benefits. Contact them at 1-866-456-4995 or through AlabamaLegalHelp.org.
People representing themselves can find court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service that connects people with local attorneys.
Nearby Counties
Court records from surrounding counties are available through their clerk offices or the statewide Alacourt system.