Find Court Records in Limestone County
Court records for Limestone County are maintained at the courthouse in Athens. The Circuit Clerk handles all filings and record requests for cases in the 39th Judicial Circuit.
Limestone County Quick Facts
Limestone County Circuit Clerk
The Limestone County Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all court cases filed in the county. Located on West Washington Street in downtown Athens, this office manages substantial court activity given the county's population of over 106,000. Growth in the region has increased caseloads in recent years.
| Office | Limestone County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 W Washington St Athens, AL 35611 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 39th Judicial Circuit |
Limestone County is the only county in the 39th Judicial Circuit. This dedicated circuit means court sessions happen more frequently than in multi-county circuits where judges travel between locations. The circuit judge handles cases exclusively in Athens.
Office Responsibilities
The Circuit Clerk's office handles multiple essential functions. On the administrative side, staff accept filings for new cases, assign case numbers, and enter data into the court management system. Every motion, response, and order filed after that becomes part of the permanent record.
The office also manages finances for the court. Filing fees, court costs, fines, and restitution payments all come through here. Staff collect money, track payments, and distribute funds according to statutory requirements. If you owe money related to a court case, this is where you pay.
Jury administration falls to the clerk as well. The office maintains the jury pool, mails summons, and organizes panels when trials are scheduled. For appeals, the clerk compiles the complete trial court record and sends it to the appropriate appellate court in Montgomery.
Public access is a major function. The clerk's office helps people find court records, request copies, and understand what is available. Staff answer questions about procedures and fees. They cannot give legal advice about what you should file or how to argue your case, but they can explain the process.
How to Access Court Records
Limestone County court records are available to the public through several methods. Most records are open, though juvenile cases, sealed matters, and certain other categories have restrictions.
At the Courthouse
Visiting the Limestone County Courthouse on Washington Street in Athens gives you direct access to court files. Walk into the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours and tell staff what you need. Having a case number speeds up retrieval, but they can search by party name or date range.
Recent cases are usually available right away. Files from older cases may be in archives. Calling ahead is smart if you need records from cases that are several years old or no longer active. Staff can have files ready when you arrive.
Viewing records is free. Fees apply only when you want copies to take with you. Bring identification. Most civil and criminal files are fully accessible. Cases involving children, abuse victims, or sealed orders may have limited availability.
Online Access
Alabama's Alacourt Access system at pa.alacourt.com provides electronic searching of court records statewide. Limestone County records are included. Create an account and search by party name, case number, or other criteria.
Basic case information shows in search results. More detailed documents may require payment to view or download. Not all records have been digitized, especially older cases. If you need complete files from cases predating electronic records, contact the clerk's office directly.
Alacourt is useful for quick lookups, checking case status, and finding case numbers before requesting full documents. The system covers Circuit Court, District Court, and some municipal court records.
By Mail
Written requests for records can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk. Provide full party names, case numbers if known, approximate dates, and specify what documents you need. Say whether you want regular or certified copies. Include payment or ask for a fee quote.
Mail requests typically take one to two weeks. The clerk locates records, prepares copies, and mails them once payment is received. If records cannot be found, they will let you know. Search fees usually are not refunded if the search turns up nothing.
Attorney Access
Lawyers practicing in Limestone County access records through the AlaFile electronic filing system. This platform lets attorneys file documents, view case information, and receive notices for cases where they represent parties. If you have a lawyer, they can obtain records on your behalf.
Types of Court Records
Different courts in Limestone County handle different types of cases. Understanding the court structure helps you find the records you need.
Circuit Court Records
Circuit Court serves as the main trial court with broad jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits exceeding $20,000, and all domestic relations matters. Appeals from District Court decisions come to Circuit Court as well.
Circuit Court records are comprehensive. Criminal files contain indictments, arrest warrants, bond documents, discovery materials, plea agreements or trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Civil cases have complaints, answers, motions, depositions, and judgments. Family law files include petitions, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and detailed orders.
District Court Records
Limestone County District Court handles misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, civil cases up to $20,000, small claims up to $6,000, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. District Court records tend to be shorter than Circuit Court files.
Traffic cases often consist of just the citation and disposition. Small claims files have the plaintiff's claim, any defendant response, and the judge's ruling. Contested cases generate more documents, but overall District Court records remain less extensive than those from Circuit Court.
Criminal Records
Criminal court records track cases from arrest through final disposition. They document what someone was charged with, how they pleaded, trial outcomes if any, and sentences imposed. Post-conviction matters including probation terms and violations also appear in these files.
People search criminal records for background checks, employment verification, and personal knowledge. Records reveal whether charges resulted in conviction, dismissal, or acquittal. Expunged records no longer appear in public files.
Domestic Relations Records
Family law cases go through Circuit Court. Divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and alimony cases all generate records. Files include petitions, responses, financial statements, settlement agreements, and court orders on custody and support.
While generally public, family court records may have sealed portions. Information about children, abuse victims, or sensitive personal details may be restricted. Ask the clerk what is accessible for any specific family case.
Civil Judgment Records
Civil cases produce records of lawsuits and outcomes. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, debt collection, and property disagreements generate civil court files. Records show what was claimed, defenses raised, and the final judgment.
Judgments from civil cases can become liens on property. People researching real estate, conducting credit checks, or assessing someone's legal exposure often search civil court records for outstanding judgments or litigation history.
Court Record Fees
Limestone County charges standard fees for copies and searches of court records. These fees are set by Alabama law.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages beyond 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 office by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include payment or request a fee estimate. Copies are not provided until payment is complete.
Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature attesting authenticity. Regular copies work for personal review. Certified copies are required for official purposes such as filings in other courts or licensing applications.
Limestone County Court System
The image below shows the Alacourt system interface for searching Limestone County court records electronically.
Alacourt connects all Alabama county court systems in one searchable database. Limestone County participates fully in this statewide system, allowing remote access to case information without visiting Athens.
Legal Help Resources
Several options exist for Limestone County residents needing legal assistance. Legal Services Alabama at 866-456-4995 provides free civil legal help to income-eligible individuals. They assist with family law, housing, consumer disputes, and public benefits.
Defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford attorneys and face potential jail time may have counsel appointed. Inform the judge at your first court appearance if you need a public defender. The clerk can explain the appointment process.
Self-represented parties can access court forms at eforms.alacourt.gov. These standardized forms cover common matters like divorce, small claims, and name changes. Instructions accompany the forms, but they do not replace legal advice for complicated situations.
The Alabama State Bar offers a lawyer referral service to help people find attorneys. Athens and the surrounding area have attorneys handling most practice areas. The 39th Judicial Circuit has local rules governing procedures. Review these before filing any case in Limestone County.
Nearby Counties
Limestone County sits in north Alabama near the Tennessee border. Several counties share borders. Court records involving events or parties from border areas may exist in multiple jurisdictions.
Major Cities
Limestone County is adjacent to Madison County, which contains Huntsville, Alabama's largest city. Many Limestone County residents work or do business in Huntsville. Court records for events occurring in Huntsville are maintained by Madison County, not Limestone County. Decatur in Morgan County is also nearby.