Find Court Records in Madison County

Court records for Madison County are filed with the Circuit Clerk at the 23rd Judicial Circuit, located in the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville.

Madison County Circuit Clerk

Debra Kizer serves as Circuit Clerk for Madison County. Her office is responsible for all court records in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, domestic relations cases, and appeals from lower courts. The clerk's office maintains both paper files and electronic records, with most recent cases available through the statewide Alacourt system.

The Madison County Courthouse sits on the north side of the downtown square in Huntsville. It is one of the oldest courthouses still in use in Alabama. The building has been renovated several times but keeps its historic character. The clerk's office is on the second floor in Room 217.

The Family Court Division handles divorce, custody, and child support cases. These records may have restricted access when children are involved. Staff can explain what records are available and what restrictions apply to your specific request.

How to Access Court Records

Online Access

Madison County court records are searchable through Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com. The "Just One Look" feature on alacourt.gov also provides basic case information. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Basic search results are free, but viewing full documents requires a subscription.

The online system covers cases from circuit court and district court. It includes civil, criminal, traffic, and small claims cases. Family court cases appear in the system, but some details may be restricted. Older cases may not be fully digitized and might require an in-person visit to view.

In-Person Access

The courthouse is open to the public during business hours. You can use the public terminals in the clerk's office to search for cases. Staff are available to help if you have trouble finding what you need. Bring your own paper if you plan to take notes, as printers charge per page.

Parking downtown can be tricky. There are several public lots within walking distance. Metered street parking is also available but has time limits. The courthouse has security screening at the entrance. Do not bring weapons, and be prepared to have bags scanned.

Mail Requests

You can request records by mail. Send your request to the clerk's office with as much detail as possible about the case. Include payment for the estimated fees. Checks should be made payable to the Madison County Circuit Clerk. The office will process your request and mail copies back to you.

Processing time varies depending on the age of the records and how busy the office is. Simple requests for recent cases might be done in a few days. Older records or complex requests can take longer. Call ahead if you need to know the timeframe for your request.

Types of Court Records Available

Civil Records

Civil case files document lawsuits between individuals, businesses, or government entities. These include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, and debt collection cases. Circuit court handles cases over $20,000. District court handles smaller amounts. Each file contains the complaint, answer, motions, discovery documents, and final judgment or dismissal order.

Criminal Records

Criminal cases involve violations of Alabama state law. Felony cases are heard in circuit court. Misdemeanors go to district court. The records include the charging document, bond information, plea agreement if any, trial record, and sentencing order. Some records may be sealed by court order or expunged under Alabama expungement laws.

Family Court Records

Domestic relations cases include divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, child support, and visitation matters. Adoption records are also part of this docket but are typically sealed. Protection from abuse orders are filed here too. Many family court records have access restrictions to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Traffic and Small Claims

District court handles traffic violations and small claims cases. These records are available through the same systems as other court records. Traffic cases include citations for moving violations, accidents, and license issues. Small claims covers civil disputes under the monetary threshold for circuit court.

Appeals

Appeals from district court come to circuit court. Appeals from circuit court go to the state appellate courts in Montgomery. The circuit clerk maintains the record on appeal until it is transmitted to the higher court. You can view appeal records at the circuit clerk's office.

Fees for Court Records

Madison County has a published fee schedule for court records. These fees help cover the cost of maintaining records and processing requests. Here are the standard fees as of the most recent schedule.

Fees can change, so call the clerk's office to confirm current rates before sending payment. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for in-person transactions. Mail requests should include a check or money order. Credit card payments by phone may be available for some services.

Madison County Court Search Portal

Below is a screenshot of the Madison County Circuit Court website. This site provides links to court services and connects to the statewide Alacourt system for record searches.

Nearby Counties

Madison County shares borders with several other counties. Cross-border cases may have records in multiple jurisdictions.

Major Cities in Madison County

Madison County is home to Huntsville, the largest city in Alabama by population. The following cities in Madison County have populations over 50,000.

Both Huntsville and Madison have grown significantly in recent years. The City of Madison is separate from Madison County and should not be confused with the county as a whole. Court cases are filed based on where the incident occurred or where the defendant resides.