Baldwin County Court Records Search

Baldwin County, located along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, is the largest county in the state by land area and one of the fastest-growing in population. The county seat is Bay Minette, where the primary courthouse and most court administrative offices are situated. Baldwin County’s judicial system operates within Alabama’s Unified Judicial System and includes a Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court, each maintaining distinct categories of records. Residents, attorneys, and members of the public regularly need access to these records for purposes ranging from background verification and litigation research to estate administration and family law matters.

Court records in Alabama can be searched through a combination of official clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and online lookup tools offered at both the county and state levels. The website AlabamaCourts.us provides a starting point for locating publicly available case information across Alabama’s trial and appellate courts. For Baldwin County specifically, the offices of the Circuit Clerk, District Court Clerk, and Probate Judge each serve as custodians for records falling within their respective jurisdictions, and several electronic systems support remote case searches.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Baldwin County?

Finding a court case in Baldwin County requires identifying the correct court division and using the appropriate search method. The following resources and procedures cover the primary avenues available.

Online Case Search

The Alacourt.com system is Alabama’s statewide electronic case management platform. It provides public access to case information for circuit and district courts across all 67 counties, including Baldwin County. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. A subscription or per-search fee applies for detailed record access.

For a no-cost alternative, the Alabama Appellate Courts maintain an online case search covering appeals that may have originated from Baldwin County trial courts.

Court Locations and Contact Information

Court	Address	Phone
Baldwin County Circuit Clerk	312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10, Bay Minette, AL 36507	(251) 937-0280
Baldwin County District Court	312 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507	(251) 937-0280
Baldwin County Probate Court	312 Courthouse Square, Suite 12, Bay Minette, AL 36507	(251) 937-0260
Baldwin County Satellite Courthouse (Fairhope)	200 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532	(251) 928-2668
Baldwin County Satellite Courthouse (Foley)	201 E. Section Ave., Foley, AL 36535	(251) 943-5061

Baldwin County Circuit Clerk’s office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Satellite courthouses in Fairhope and Foley handle certain proceedings and provide limited clerk services; contact each location for available services.

In-Person Searches

Walk-in visitors may search case records at public access terminals located in the Circuit Clerk’s office in Bay Minette. Staff can assist with locating case numbers and directing requests to the correct division. Bring as much identifying information as possible, including full party names, approximate filing dates, and case type.

Mail and Written Requests

Written requests for court records should be directed to the appropriate clerk’s office. Include the full case number (if known), names of all parties, case type, and a daytime phone number. Enclose payment for any applicable copy or certification fees. Requests can be mailed to:

Baldwin County Circuit Clerk
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 10
Bay Minette, AL 36507

Search Tips

Baldwin County Circuit Court case numbers typically begin with “05” (the county’s FIPS code) followed by a two-letter case-type prefix (e.g., CV for civil, CC for criminal circuit, DR for domestic relations).
For older records predating electronic indexing, an in-person visit to the clerk’s office may be necessary.
Real property records, including deeds and mortgages, are filed with the Baldwin County Probate Court rather than the Circuit Clerk.

Are Court Records Public in Baldwin County?

Alabama law establishes a general presumption that court records are open to public inspection. This principle is supported by several constitutional and statutory provisions that govern access to judicial records in Baldwin County.

Legal Framework for Public Access

The Alabama Constitution of 1901, as amended, guarantees open courts. Section 13 protects the right of citizens to access the judicial system, and this extends to the records generated by that system. Additionally, Alabama’s public records statutes and court rules create a framework for requesting and obtaining court documents.

Key provisions include:

Alabama Code § 12-20-22 — Authorizes the clerk of the circuit court to provide certified copies of court records to any person upon payment of the required fee.
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 — Alabama’s general public records statute, which provides that every citizen has a right to inspect and copy public writings, including court records, unless otherwise restricted by law.
Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 3 — Governs access to court records in the state’s unified judicial system.

Categories of Public Records

The following court records are generally accessible in Baldwin County:

Criminal case filings, indictments, pleas, sentences, and judgment entries
Civil complaints, motions, orders, and final judgments
Domestic relations decrees and modification orders (with certain personal information restrictions)
Probate filings including wills admitted to probate, estate inventories, and letters of administration
Court dockets, calendars, and case indexes
Traffic and municipal ordinance violation records

Restricted and Confidential Records

Certain categories of court records are sealed or restricted by statute or court order:

Juvenile records — Proceedings and records in juvenile court are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133 and are not open to general public inspection.
Adoption records — Sealed upon finalization under Alabama Code § 26-10A-32; accessible only by court order or through the Alabama Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.
Sealed criminal records — Records subject to expungement under the Alabama Expungement Statute (§ 15-27-1 et seq.) are removed from public access upon court order.
Grand jury proceedings — Secret by law and not subject to public records requests.
Youthful offender records — Cases adjudicated under youthful offender status (Alabama Code § 15-19-1 et seq.) are sealed.
Mental health records — Involuntary commitment proceedings and related evaluations are confidential.

Redaction of Personal Identifiers

Alabama courts require the redaction or omission of Social Security numbers, dates of birth (in certain filings), financial account numbers, and names of minor children from publicly filed documents. Parties and attorneys bear the initial responsibility for redacting protected information before filing. A motion to seal or restrict access may be filed if sensitive information appears in a public filing.

Baldwin County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Baldwin County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court for felony cases and the District Court for misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and municipal ordinance violations. The Circuit Clerk’s office is the official custodian of all records generated in both courts.

Felony Cases — Baldwin County Circuit Court

The Baldwin County Circuit Court, part of Alabama’s 28th Judicial Circuit, has exclusive jurisdiction over felony prosecutions. Felony charges are initiated by indictment through the Baldwin County Grand Jury or, in limited circumstances, by information filed by the Baldwin County District Attorney. Circuit criminal case records include indictments, arraignment entries, pretrial motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts (when ordered), verdict forms, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings.

To search criminal circuit court records:

Visit Alacourt.com and search by defendant name or case number using the “05-CC” prefix for circuit criminal cases.
Contact the Circuit Clerk’s office at (251) 937-0280 to request specific case documents.
Visit the clerk’s office in Bay Minette for in-person access to case files.

Misdemeanor and Traffic Cases — Baldwin County District Court

The District Court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. District Court criminal case records can also be searched through Alacourt using the county code and the appropriate case-type prefix (e.g., “05-DM” for District Court misdemeanors, “05-TR” for traffic).

Arrest and Jail Records

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and inmate information independently from the court system. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:

Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office
200 Hand Ave.
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 937-0202

An arrest record does not necessarily correspond to a court filing; only cases formally charged and filed with the clerk become part of the court record.

Criminal Background Checks

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is responsible for maintaining statewide criminal history records. Formal background checks require fingerprint submission through an authorized channeler. Baldwin County courts can provide case-specific disposition information but do not issue comprehensive criminal history reports.

Expungement

Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-16, eligible individuals may petition to expunge certain criminal records, including non-convictions, some misdemeanor convictions, and specified felony charges that did not result in conviction. Petitions are filed in the court where the case was adjudicated. A filing fee applies, and the district attorney must be served with notice. The Administrative Office of Courts provides general information about the expungement process.

Baldwin County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Baldwin County is divided between the Circuit Court, which handles matters involving amounts exceeding $20,000, and the District Court, which has concurrent jurisdiction for claims up to $20,000. Small claims cases are heard in District Court for amounts up to $6,000.

Circuit Court Civil Records

The Circuit Court adjudicates a broad range of civil matters, including breach of contract, personal injury, medical malpractice, real estate disputes, foreclosures, and declaratory judgment actions. Civil case records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and can be accessed through Alacourt using the “05-CV” case prefix for circuit civil matters.

Civil case files typically contain:

Complaints, answers, and counterclaims
Motions, briefs, and court orders
Discovery-related filings (when filed with the court)
Jury verdicts and bench trial findings
Final judgment entries and post-judgment motions

District Court Civil Records

The District Court handles civil actions within its monetary jurisdiction, including landlord-tenant disputes (unlawful detainer), debt collection, and small claims. District Court civil cases carry the “05-DV” prefix for general civil and “05-SM” for small claims.

Filing Fees

Civil filing fees in Alabama are governed by statute and vary by case type and court. Common fee ranges include:

Circuit Court civil filing fee: approximately $306 (includes filing fee plus administrative costs)
District Court civil filing fee: approximately $211
Small claims filing fee: approximately $81

Fee amounts are subject to legislative adjustment. Contact the Circuit Clerk at (251) 937-0280 for the most current schedule, or consult the Alabama Unified Judicial System fee schedule published by the Administrative Office of Courts.

Judgments and Liens

Civil judgments entered in Baldwin County courts become a lien on real property owned by the judgment debtor within the county once properly recorded. Judgment records can be searched through the Circuit Clerk’s office. For real property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Baldwin County Probate Court serves as the recording office.

Forms and Self-Help Resources

The Alabama State Law Library provides access to court forms, including standardized civil cover sheets and certain filing templates. Baldwin County does not maintain its own publicly available form library for civil matters; litigants should consult the Administrative Office of Courts or seek legal assistance for case-specific documents.

Baldwin County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Baldwin County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division. Alabama does not operate a separate family court; instead, domestic relations cases are heard by circuit judges assigned to handle the domestic relations docket.

Domestic Relations Cases

The Domestic Relations Division, accessible through the Circuit Clerk’s office, handles the following matter types:

Divorce (contested and uncontested)
Legal separation
Annulment
Child custody and visitation
Child support establishment and modification
Spousal support (alimony)
Property division
Protection from abuse (PFA) petitions

Domestic relations case records are identified by the “05-DR” prefix in Alacourt. While docket entries and court orders are generally public, personal financial disclosures, income affidavits, and child-related evaluations may be restricted from general public access.

Filing for Divorce in Baldwin County

Alabama requires that at least one spouse be a bona fide resident of the state for six months prior to filing for divorce. The complaint must be filed in the county where the defendant resides or, if the defendant is a non-resident, in the county where the plaintiff resides. Required documents typically include a complaint for divorce, a Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CS-41), and a Child Support Information Sheet (when minor children are involved).

Filing fees for domestic relations cases in Circuit Court are comparable to other civil filings. Contact the Circuit Clerk for the current amount.

Child Support

The Alabama Department of Human Resources administers the state’s child support enforcement program. Court-ordered child support is typically paid through the Alabama State Disbursement Unit. The court record will contain the support order, any modification petitions, and enforcement actions, which can be accessed through the Circuit Clerk.

Protection Orders

Petitions for protection from abuse are filed in Circuit Court and are governed by the Alabama Protection from Abuse Act (Alabama Code § 30-5-1 et seq.). Ex parte temporary protection orders can be issued without notice to the respondent, followed by a hearing within ten days. Protection order records are generally public, though victim addresses and certain safety information may be restricted.

Adoption Records

Adoption proceedings are handled by the Circuit Court and are confidential by statute. Upon finalization, adoption records are sealed under Alabama Code § 26-10A-32. Access is available only through a court order showing good cause or through the Alabama Adoption Registry administered by the Department of Human Resources.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Baldwin County are issued by the Baldwin County Probate Court. Since the passage of Alabama Act 2019-340, which took effect August 29, 2019, Alabama eliminated the requirement for a marriage ceremony. Instead, both parties complete and submit an Affidavit of Marriage form, which is recorded by the Probate Judge. Marriage records on file with the Probate Court are public records.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are not maintained by the courts. Certified copies are available from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. The Baldwin County Health Department in Robertsdale can also assist with vital record requests.

Baldwin County Probate Court Records

The Baldwin County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, commitments, adoptions (shared with Circuit Court), name changes, and the recording of real property instruments. The Probate Judge also serves as the county’s chief election official.

Probate Court Location

Baldwin County Probate Court
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 12
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 937-0260

Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Types of Probate Cases

The Probate Court handles proceedings in the following categories:

Decedent’s estates: Full administration, administration with will annexed, summary distribution, and small estate proceedings
Wills: Filing wills for safekeeping and admitting wills to probate
Guardianships: Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults (person and/or estate)
Conservatorships: Management of property for protected persons under Alabama Code § 26-2A-130 et seq.
Name changes: Legal name change petitions for adults and minors under Alabama Code § 6-3-21
Involuntary commitments: Mental health and substance abuse commitment proceedings (records are confidential)
Recording functions: Recording of deeds, mortgages, plats, and other land instruments

Searching Probate Records

Probate case information can be obtained by contacting the Probate Court directly at (251) 937-0260 or visiting the court office in Bay Minette. Unlike circuit and district court records, probate cases in Alabama are not always available through Alacourt. Many probate courts maintain their own case management systems.

For recorded instruments (deeds, mortgages, liens), the Baldwin County Probate Court maintains land records that may be searchable through the county’s recording system. Contact the Probate Court office for information about online access to recorded documents.

Steps to Obtain Probate Records

Identify the decedent’s name (or ward’s name for guardianship matters) and approximate date of death or filing.
Contact the Probate Court at (251) 937-0260 to determine whether the estate was probated in Baldwin County.
Request copies of specific documents, providing the case number if available.
Pay applicable copy fees — standard copy fees and additional certification fees apply.
For mailed requests, send a written request with the relevant identifying information and payment to the Probate Court address above.

Estate Administration Overview

When a Baldwin County resident dies, the personal representative (executor or administrator) typically files a petition to open the estate in the Probate Court. The court then issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, authorizing the representative to act on behalf of the estate. Key documents in an estate file include the petition, the will (if any), inventory of assets, claims against the estate, accountings, and the final settlement. These records are generally public and available for inspection, though the court may restrict access to certain financial information upon motion.

Guardianship Records

Guardianship proceedings generate records including the petition, investigation reports, letters of guardianship, annual status reports, and accountings. Records for guardianships of incapacitated adults are generally accessible, though medical evaluations and certain personal information within the file may be subject to restriction. Guardianship of minors may involve additional confidentiality protections, particularly when related to dependency or abuse proceedings that originated in juvenile court.

Baldwin County’s court system provides multiple avenues for accessing judicial records, whether through electronic databases, in-person visits to clerk offices in Bay Minette, Fairhope, or Foley, or written requests submitted by mail. Identifying the correct court division and using the appropriate search tools will ensure the most efficient path to locating the records you need. When specific procedures or current fee amounts are unclear, contacting the relevant clerk’s office directly remains the most reliable approach.