Autauga County Court Records Search

Autauga County, located in central Alabama with its county seat in Prattville, operates a multi-level court system under the 19th Judicial Circuit. Court records generated within the county span a range of case types handled by the Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and two Municipal Courts. These records encompass case dockets, pleadings, motions, judgments, orders, warrants, and exhibits filed or produced during legal proceedings. Whether you need to verify a case disposition, obtain a certified copy of a court order, or research property filings, understanding which office holds the records and how to access them is the first step.

Residents and researchers in Alabama can begin locating court records through several channels, including clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and electronic search tools maintained by the state judiciary. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts operates statewide case-management platforms that cover circuit and district court filings. For broader guidance on locating publicly available court case information across the state, AlabamaCourts.us may also serve as a useful starting point. In Autauga County specifically, the Circuit Clerk’s office and the Probate Court each maintain distinct categories of records and offer separate search resources.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Autauga County?

Autauga County court cases can be searched online, in person, or by contacting the appropriate clerk’s office directly. The method depends on the type of case and whether you have a case number or party name.

Online Searches

The primary electronic tool for Autauga County Circuit and District Court records is Alacourt Access, which covers criminal, civil, domestic relations, child support, traffic, and small claims filings statewide. Searches may be conducted by party name or case number. The service is fee-based:

Name search: $9.99
Case number search: $9.99
Document images: $5.00 for the first 20 pages, $0.50 per page thereafter

An account must be created before searching. For traffic citations specifically, defendants can look up and pay tickets through AlaPay using a ticket or case number.

For probate matters, the Autauga County Probate Court maintains a separate Probate Case Lookup and a Land Records search through its online services portal.

In-Person Searches

Records can be reviewed at the Autauga County Courthouse during regular business hours. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors should go to the appropriate division within the Circuit Clerk’s office:

Division	Phone	Room
Circuit Criminal (CC)	(334) 358-6807	117
District Criminal (DC) / Traffic (TR)	(334) 358-6802	117
Domestic Relations (DR) / Child Support (CS)	(334) 358-6809	108
Circuit Civil (CV) / District Civil (DV)	(334) 358-6806	114
Small Claims (SM) / Evictions	(334) 358-6805	114
Juvenile (JU)	(334) 358-6803	107

Autauga County Courthouse
Address: 134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6800

Autauga County Probate Court
Address: 176 West 5th Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-3728
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Are Court Records Public in Autauga County?

Alabama law establishes a general right of public access to government records, including court records. Under Section 36-12-40 of the Code of Alabama, every citizen may inspect and copy any public writing of the state, except where expressly restricted by statute. This framework applies to filings maintained by the Circuit Clerk, Probate Court, and other record custodians in Autauga County.

However, several categories of court records are restricted from public access:

Sealed records — A court may seal records only upon a written finding, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that disclosure would cause specific harm (e.g., trade secrets, threats of harassment, wholly private family matters). This standard follows the Alabama Supreme Court’s holding in Holland v. Eads.
Juvenile case records — Records involving minors adjudicated as delinquent, dependent, or in need of supervision are confidential under Ala. Code § 12-15-133.
Adoption proceedings — Adoption files are sealed and restricted to parties directly involved.
Child abuse and neglect records — Reports and related court filings remain confidential.
Expunged records — Criminal records that have been expunged under Ala. Code § 15-27-1 et seq. are not subject to public disclosure. Unauthorized release of expunged records is a Class B misdemeanor under § 15-27-7.

The Alabama Supreme Court enacted comprehensive Rules of Record Privacy and Confidentiality that apply to all appellate, circuit, district, juvenile, small claims, municipal, and probate courts. Rules 201 and 202 identify 96 categories of privileged or confidential information under state law. The person or entity filing a document is responsible for redacting confidential information, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical records, before submission.

Autauga County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Autauga County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on severity. The Circuit Court holds jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions, while the District Court handles misdemeanor charges (offenses carrying a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine), traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Two Municipal Courts — in Prattville and Autaugaville — adjudicate municipal ordinance violations within their respective jurisdictions.

Searching Criminal Case Records

Online: Use Alacourt Access to search by defendant name or case number. Results include docket entries, court actions, hearing dates, party details, and financial information. Document images are available for a fee.
In person: Visit the Criminal Division of the Circuit Clerk’s office at the Autauga County Courthouse, Room 117. Circuit criminal inquiries can be directed to (334) 358-6807; district criminal and traffic matters to (334) 358-6802.
Online payments: Outstanding traffic tickets and district criminal fines may be paid via AlaPay or by calling (877) 252-7294.

Municipal Courts

Prattville Municipal Court
Address: 101 West Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 595-0450
Fax: (334) 361-3696

Autaugaville Municipal Court
Address: P.O. Box 237, Autaugaville, AL 36003
Phone: (334) 365-9335

Statewide Criminal History Records

For a comprehensive criminal background check that includes arrest records from all Alabama jurisdictions, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) maintains the Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system. To request a personal review of your criminal history:

Complete the ALEA Application to Review Alabama CHRI.
Provide a copy of valid photo identification.
Submit fingerprint scans.
Include a $25.00 fee by money order or cashier’s check.
Mail or deliver the packet to:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit
301 South Ripley Street, P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511

Sheriff’s Office

The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office may hold arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records for matters originating within its jurisdiction.

Autauga County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 162 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-2500

Autauga County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Autauga County is filed in either the Circuit Court or the District Court depending on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil matters where the claim exceeds $10,000, while the District Court handles civil disputes under $15,000 (with small claims capped at $6,000). The two courts share concurrent jurisdiction for claims between $10,000 and $15,000.

Types of Civil Records

Civil case files typically contain the complaint or petition, answers, motions, discovery documents, court orders, and final judgments. Common civil matters in Autauga County include contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant actions (unlawful detainers/evictions), and debt collection suits.

How to Obtain Civil Court Records

The Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of all civil filings in both the Circuit and District Courts. Requests may be made:

In person at Room 114 of the Autauga County Courthouse, 134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067. Civil division Phone: (334) 358-6806 Small claims and eviction inquiries: (334) 358-6805.
Online through Alacourt Access, which provides docket information, case summaries, and document images for all civil divisions (circuit civil, district civil, and small claims).

Filing and Court Forms

Legal and court-related forms for civil actions can be obtained through Alabama Legal Help and the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The Circuit Clerk’s office can accept filings in person; electronic filing is also available through the AlaFile system maintained by the state courts.

Property-Related Civil Records

Civil judgments and liens filed in Autauga County may also be recorded at the Probate Court. The county’s real property search portal — operated by the Revenue Commissioner — provides assessment information, tax details, and property ownership data. Land records, including deeds, mortgages, and instruments, can be searched through the Probate Court’s online services portal.

Autauga County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Autauga County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division and, for cases involving minors, the Juvenile Court. The Domestic Relations Division handles divorce, custody, visitation, alimony, and child support proceedings. The Juvenile Court adjudicates dependency, delinquency, and child-in-need-of-supervision (CHINS) petitions.

Divorce and Custody Records

Divorce case files — including the complaint, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final decrees — are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Requests should be directed to the Domestic Relations Division:

Domestic Relations / Child Support Division
Room 108, Autauga County Courthouse
134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6809

Divorce records can also be searched through Alacourt Access under the Domestic Relations case type. For a verification copy of a divorce certificate (for divorces from 1950 forward), the Alabama Department of Public Health maintains statewide records. A completed Vital Record Request Form and $15.00 fee (check or money order payable to the Center for Health Statistics) should be mailed to:

Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625

Additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously cost $6.00 each.

Marriage Records

Autauga County no longer issues marriage licenses or performs marriage ceremonies through the Probate Court. Instead, Alabama requires couples to complete and file a marriage certificate form directly. For information, contact the Probate Office at (334) 361-3732. The recording fee schedule lists $40.00 for a marriage license (plus a $5.00 special Judge of Probate fee) and $3.00 for a marriage certificate copy. Marriage records from August 1936 forward may also be obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health for $15.00 per certified copy. Walk-in requests can be made at any county health department, including:

Autauga County Health Department
219 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-3743

Birth and Death Records

Alabama birth certificates are confidential for 125 years after the date of birth, and death certificates are restricted for 25 years. Eligible requesters (the person named, parents, spouse, siblings, children, or a legal representative) may obtain certified copies from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics at $15.00 per copy ($6.00 each additional). Applications can be submitted by mail, in person at any county health department, or online through VitalChek (additional service fees apply).

Juvenile Court Records

Juvenile proceedings in Autauga County are handled at the courthouse by Judge Jessica K. Sanders and support staff. Cases include delinquency (Ala. Code § 12-15-102(6)-(7)), dependency (§ 12-15-102(8)), and CHINS (§ 12-15-102(4)) petitions. These records are confidential under § 12-15-133 and are not available for public inspection. Parties and their attorneys may contact:

Juvenile Clerk — Brittney Petty
Room 103, 134 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6803
Email: brittney.petty@alacourt.gov

Juvenile Court Services: (334) 358-6860

Autauga County Probate Court Records

The Autauga County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and involuntary commitment proceedings. The court also serves as the county’s recording office for land records, business filings, and marriage certificates. Probate Judge Al Booth (or the current sitting judge) presides over these matters from the Probate Court offices on West 5th Street.

Autauga County Probate Court
Address: 176 West 5th Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-3728
Probate Court line: (334) 361-3730
Email: autaugaprobate@yahoo.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case records — including estate administrations, will filings, guardianship petitions, and conservatorship proceedings — can be searched online through the court’s Probate Case Lookup. The portal allows users to search by party name or case number.

Land records filed with the Probate Court, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings, can be accessed through the court’s online land records search. The court also offers the REAACT (Real Estate Activity Alert and Contact Tool) program as a free service to alert property owners when a document is recorded against their name.

Requesting Copies

Copies of probate records may be requested in person at the Probate Court or by mail to 176 West 5th Street, Prattville, AL 36067. For questions about fees and processing, contact the Probate Records division at (334) 361-3728. Documents requiring the judge’s seal or probate seal carry a fee of $3.00 per seal.

Recording Fee Schedule (Selected Items)

Document Type	Fee
Filing fee (deeds, mortgages, etc.)	$3.00 per instrument
Recording fee	$3.00 per page
Indexing — additional names beyond one grantor/grantee pair	$1.00 per name
Special Judge of Probate fee	$5.00 per instrument
Mortgage tax	$0.15 per $100
Deed tax	$0.50 per $500
UCC-1 / UCC-3 filing (up to 2 pages)	$20.00
UCC pages over two	$2.00 per additional page
Notary public appointment	$15.00 + $5.00 Judge of Probate fee

A more detailed recording fee schedule is published on the Autauga County website. Note that all schedules are subject to change and should be confirmed with the Probate Court before submission.

Wills and Estate Administration

When a decedent’s will is filed for probate, the case file becomes part of the public record (unless sealed by court order). Estate administration records include inventories, accountings, petitions for distribution, and final settlement documents. Persons seeking copies should contact the Probate Clerk or use the online case lookup.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

Petitions for guardianship of a minor or incapacitated adult, as well as conservatorship petitions for managing another person’s financial affairs, are filed with the Probate Court. These filings are generally accessible to the public, though certain medical or financial details within the file may be subject to confidentiality protections under the Alabama Rules of Record Privacy and Confidentiality.