Find Court Records in Henry County
Court records in Henry County are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Abbeville. This office processes all civil and criminal cases for the 20th Judicial Circuit within Henry County.
Henry County Quick Facts
Henry County Circuit Clerk
The Henry County Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for all court filings in the county. The office sits in the courthouse on Court Square in downtown Abbeville. Staff handle new filings, maintain existing records, and respond to public requests for court documents.
| Office | Henry County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 Court Square Abbeville, AL 36310 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 20th Judicial Circuit |
Henry County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Houston County. The larger city of Dothan serves as the circuit hub, but Henry County maintains its own courthouse and clerk's office in Abbeville. Judges rotate between the two counties on a regular schedule.
Office Functions
The Circuit Clerk performs many duties essential to court operations. The office receives all documents filed in civil and criminal cases, assigns case numbers, and enters information into the court management system. Every motion, order, and judgment becomes part of the permanent case file once processed by the clerk.
Staff assist the public with record searches and copy requests. While they cannot provide legal advice, they can explain procedures, identify required forms, and quote fees. The clerk also collects payments for filing fees, fines, and court costs. Money collected goes to various state and local funds as directed by law.
Behind the scenes, the clerk prepares case files for court hearings, manages jury pools, and ensures documents reach judges and attorneys as needed. When a case is appealed, this office compiles the complete trial record for the appellate court's review.
How to Access Court Records
Henry County court records are open to the public with few exceptions. You can get records through in-person visits, online searches, or written requests. Each method works better for different situations.
In-Person Access
Coming to the courthouse in Abbeville is the most complete way to access court records. The Circuit Clerk's office holds files for all cases going back many years. Current cases are easy to pull up quickly. Older records may be in storage and require advance notice to retrieve.
When you visit, tell the clerk what you are looking for. If you have a case number, that speeds things up. If not, staff can search by name or date range. You can review files at the counter at no charge. If you want copies, fees apply based on the number of pages.
Bring a valid ID. Some records may require you to show a reason for access, particularly if they involve minors or sealed matters. Most civil and criminal records are available without restriction.
Online Through Alacourt
The state's Alacourt Access portal at pa.alacourt.com offers electronic searching of court records. Create a free account to search by name or case number. Basic case data including parties, charges, and outcomes appear in search results.
Full documents may be available for viewing or download, though some require payment. Not every old case has been scanned into the system. If you cannot find what you need online, the physical file at the courthouse may contain more complete information.
Alacourt covers Circuit Court, District Court, and some municipal courts. Henry County records appear alongside records from other Alabama counties, making it useful if you need to search multiple jurisdictions.
Mail Requests
You can write to the Circuit Clerk to request records by mail. State clearly what you need: names of parties, approximate dates, type of case, and whether you want copies or certified copies. Include payment or ask for a fee estimate before processing.
Allow one to two weeks for the clerk to locate records and mail them. Complicated requests take longer. If records cannot be found, the clerk will notify you. Search fees are usually non-refundable even if no records turn up.
Through Legal Counsel
Attorneys have additional tools for accessing court records. The AlaFile system lets them file documents electronically and view case information for matters where they are counsel of record. If you hire a lawyer, they can pull records and documents on your behalf through these channels.
Types of Court Records
Henry County courts handle a range of case types, each creating distinct records. Knowing which court handles what helps you find records faster.
Circuit Court Records
Circuit Court is the main trial court in Henry County. It has jurisdiction over felony crimes, civil cases worth more than $20,000, and all family law matters. Appeals from District Court also come here. Circuit Court records include pleadings, motions, orders, hearing transcripts, and judgments.
Family law files from Circuit Court cover divorces, custody battles, support orders, and adoptions. These often contain financial statements, property inventories, and parenting plans. Some family records may have restricted access to protect children.
District Court Records
District Court hears misdemeanors, traffic cases, civil matters under $20,000, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Small claims up to $6,000 also go through District Court. Records include citations, complaints, and disposition orders.
Many District Court cases resolve quickly. A traffic ticket may produce just a citation and payment record. More contested matters generate additional filings. The District Court shares space in the Abbeville courthouse.
Criminal Case Files
Criminal records document prosecutions from start to finish. They show what someone was charged with, how they pleaded, whether they went to trial, and what sentence they received. These files include arrest warrants, bond information, plea agreements, and probation orders.
Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies commonly search criminal court records. If you need to verify someone's criminal history or your own, the Circuit Clerk can help locate relevant cases. Expunged cases are removed from public access.
Civil Litigation Records
Civil court records track lawsuits between individuals, businesses, or organizations. Contract disputes, injury claims, debt collection, and property fights all create civil records. Files contain the original complaint, the defendant's answer, discovery materials, and the final judgment.
Civil judgments can affect credit and property ownership. Someone with a judgment against them may have liens placed on their assets. These records help creditors, title companies, and others assess legal claims against a person or property.
Probate Records
The Probate Court, separate from Circuit and District courts, handles wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments. Marriage licenses are also issued here. Probate records are available at the Probate Judge's office in the courthouse. They overlap with court records when estate disputes or guardianship conflicts end up in litigation.
Court Record Fees
Henry County follows state fee schedules for court record copies and searches. Costs vary based on what you request and how much work is involved.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Each additional page over 20 | $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document |
| Computer search | $10.00 |
| Archived or paper search | $25.00 |
Pay at the clerk's office by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests should include payment or a request for the clerk to calculate costs before proceeding. Fees are usually collected before records are provided.
Viewing records in person costs nothing. Fees kick in only when you want copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature, verifying they are true copies of what is on file. Many official purposes require certified copies.
Henry County Court System
This image shows the Alacourt interface used to search Henry County court records online.
Alacourt is operated by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. It connects all county court systems in a single searchable database. Henry County records can be found alongside those from every other Alabama county.
Legal Resources
If you need legal help in Henry County, free and low-cost options exist. Legal Services Alabama at 866-456-4995 provides free civil legal aid to those who qualify based on income. They handle family law, housing, consumer issues, and public benefits cases.
For criminal cases, the court appoints attorneys to defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer when jail time is possible. In civil matters, you may represent yourself. Court forms for common procedures are available at eforms.alacourt.gov.
The Alabama State Bar's lawyer referral service can help you find an attorney if you need to hire one. The 20th Judicial Circuit has local rules that apply in Henry County. Review these before filing any case, as they govern deadlines, formatting, and procedures beyond the statewide rules.
Residents near the Houston County line may find additional legal resources in Dothan, where more attorneys and legal aid offices operate. The 20th Circuit includes both counties, so procedures are consistent whether your case is in Abbeville or Dothan.
Nearby Counties
Henry County borders several other counties. Cases involving events or parties from these areas might have records filed in multiple locations.
Major Cities Nearby
Henry County contains no cities over 50,000 population. However, Dothan in neighboring Houston County is the regional hub for southeast Alabama. Court records for cases in Dothan itself are handled by Houston County, not Henry County.