Lauderdale County Court Records
Court records for Lauderdale County are maintained at the courthouse in Florence. The Circuit Clerk's office manages all case filings and record requests for the 31st Judicial Circuit.
Lauderdale County Quick Facts
Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk
The Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records for the county. The office sits on South Court Street in Florence. Staff take care of case management, filing papers, and helping the public get records. With more than 93,000 people here, Lauderdale is one of the bigger counties in northwest Alabama, so the courts stay pretty busy year round.
| Office | Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 S Court St Florence, AL 35630 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 31st Judicial Circuit |
Lauderdale shares the 31st Judicial Circuit with Colbert County to the south. Judges move between Florence and Tuscumbia on a set plan. Since Lauderdale has more people, court runs more often here. Call the clerk to find out when court dates are set if you have to show up.
Office Services
The clerk's office does a lot. Staff take in filings for civil and criminal cases, hand out case numbers, and log documents on the docket. The office keeps records in both digital and paper form. Old files sit in archives but you can still get them if you ask.
The clerk also takes in money. Filing fees, fines, court costs, and restitution all get paid here. They take cash, checks, and money orders. Some card options may work too. Just ask at the window what they accept right now.
The office supports court operations by preparing files for hearings, managing jury pools, and coordinating with judges and attorneys. When cases are appealed, the clerk compiles the trial record and transmits it to the appropriate appellate court.
Public service is a major function. Anyone can visit and request access to court records. Staff search for cases, retrieve files, and make copies. They explain fees and procedures but cannot give legal advice about what to file or how to present a case.
How to Access Court Records
You can get court records in Lauderdale County a few ways. Pick based on how soon you need them and if you must have certified copies or plain ones will work.
Visit the Courthouse
The courthouse on South Court Street in Florence is where you will find the clerk. Walk in when they are open and say what you want. With a case number, it goes fast. Without one, staff can look by name or date range.
Looking at records costs nothing. You can flip through files at the counter for free. Fees kick in when you want copies to take home. Bring your ID. Most files are open to anyone, though some that deal with kids or sealed stuff have limits.
Old cases might be stored off site. Call first so staff can grab them before you show up. This saves time if you want files from cases over ten years old or dead matters not kept up front anymore.
Search Online
Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com lets you look up court records from every Alabama county, Lauderdale included. Make an account and search by name, case number, or other fields. Basic case info shows up in your results.
Full docs may cost extra to view or download. Not all papers from all cases are online. Really old files or special docs might only be on paper at the courthouse. Use Alacourt for quick checks and to see where a case stands.
Request by Mail
You can mail a request to the clerk. Add party names, case numbers if you have them, rough dates, and what docs you want. Say if you need plain or certified copies. Put in payment or ask for a cost quote first.
Mail requests take a week or two based on how busy the office is. Staff find the records, make copies, and mail them once your check clears. If nothing turns up, they let you know. Search fees usually stay with them even if the search finds nothing.
Attorney Access
Lawyers use the AlaFile electronic filing system for cases where they represent parties. This system allows attorneys to file documents, view case information, and receive court notices electronically. If you have a lawyer, they can obtain records on your behalf through these channels.
Types of Court Records
Courts in Lauderdale County hear many kinds of cases. Each court level covers different things, and the records they make vary too.
Circuit Court Records
Circuit Court serves as the general trial court with broad jurisdiction. Felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $20,000, domestic relations matters, and appeals from District Court all go through Circuit Court. Records include complaints, answers, motions, court orders, trial transcripts, and final judgments.
Circuit Court handles all family law cases regardless of dollar amount. Divorce, custody, child support, and spousal support cases produce extensive records including financial disclosures, parenting plans, and detailed settlement agreements or trial orders.
District Court Records
Lauderdale County District Court hears misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, civil cases under $20,000, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. District Court records tend to be less extensive. A traffic ticket produces a citation and disposition. A small claims case has the complaint, any answer, and the judge's ruling.
Preliminary hearings in felony cases occur in District Court before cases are transferred to Circuit Court for trial. Records of these hearings remain with the District Court file while the main prosecution record is in Circuit Court.
Criminal Records
Criminal court records track cases from arrest through final disposition. They document charges, bond information, plea negotiations, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentences. Post-conviction matters like probation terms and any violations also appear in criminal files.
Folks look up criminal records for background checks, job screening, and just to know. The file shows if charges led to a conviction, an acquittal, or got dropped. If a record is expunged, it will not show up in public searches anymore.
Domestic Relations Records
Family court records cover divorce, annulment, separation, custody, visitation, support, and adoption. These files often contain sensitive personal and financial information. While generally public, some portions may be restricted, especially when children or abuse allegations are involved.
Divorce records show the grounds alleged, property division, debt allocation, and any support orders. Custody files contain parenting plans, psychological evaluations, and modifications over time. Adoption records may be sealed except to parties involved.
Civil Litigation Records
Civil cases between individuals, businesses, or organizations generate records documenting the dispute and resolution. Contract cases, personal injury claims, debt collection, and property disputes all produce civil court records. Files include pleadings, discovery materials, settlement agreements, and judgments.
Civil judgments can affect the defendant's credit and property. Judgment creditors may place liens on real estate or other assets. People reviewing title or credit history often search civil court records for outstanding judgments.
Fees for Court Records
Lauderdale County uses the standard fee list for copies and searches. State law sets these rates, so they match what you would pay in most other Alabama counties.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages over 20 | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Computerized search | $10.00 |
| Paper/archived search | $25.00 |
Payment is accepted at the clerk's window by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests should include payment or ask for a fee calculation before processing. Copies are not released until payment is received.
Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature attesting they are true copies of records on file. Regular copies work for personal reference. Certified copies are required for most official purposes like court filings elsewhere or licensing applications.
Lauderdale County Court System
The image below shows the Alacourt portal interface for searching Lauderdale County court records online.
Through Alacourt, you can search court records from Lauderdale County and all other Alabama counties without visiting the courthouse. The system is maintained by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.
Legal Help Resources
Help is out there if you live in Lauderdale County and lack funds for a lawyer. Legal Services Alabama at 866-456-4995 gives free civil legal aid to people who meet income limits. They handle family law, housing woes, consumer fights, and benefit claims. Worth a call if you are in a tight spot.
Defendants in criminal cases facing potential jail time who cannot afford counsel will have attorneys appointed by the court. Request appointed counsel at your first court appearance or contact the clerk's office about the process beforehand.
Self-represented parties can access court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides standardized forms for common procedures including divorce, name changes, small claims, and more. Instructions accompany the forms but do not replace legal advice.
The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service to help people find attorneys. Florence has a good selection of attorneys handling various practice areas. The 31st Judicial Circuit has local rules applicable in both Lauderdale and Colbert counties. Review these rules before filing any case.
Nearby Counties
Lauderdale County sits in northwest Alabama along the Tennessee River. Several neighboring counties share borders. Court records involving events or parties from border areas might exist in more than one county.
Regional Cities
Lauderdale County is part of the Shoals region of northwest Alabama. While Florence is the largest city in the county, the closest major cities over 50,000 population are Huntsville and Decatur to the east. Court records for events in those cities are handled by their respective counties.