Baldwin County Court Records

Baldwin County stretches along Alabama's Gulf Coast and is the largest county in the state by land area, as well as one of the fastest-growing by population. The county seat is Bay Minette, home to the main courthouse and most of the court offices you'll deal with. As part of Alabama's Unified Judicial System, the county runs a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court, and each one keeps its own kinds of records. People turn to these files for all sorts of reasons, from checking someone's background and researching a lawsuit to settling an estate or handling a family law case.

You can reach Alabama court records in a few different ways: through the clerk's offices directly, at public terminals inside the courthouse, or through online lookup tools run at the county and state level. The website AlabamaCourts.us is a good place to start when you're trying to locate publicly available case information across Alabama's trial and appellate courts. In Baldwin County, the Circuit Clerk, the District Court Clerk, and the Probate Judge each hold the records tied to their own court, and several electronic systems let you search remotely.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Baldwin County?

The first step is figuring out which court handled your case, then choosing the search method that fits what you already know. The resources below cover the main ways to find a case.

Online Case Search

Alabama's statewide electronic case system is Alacourt.com. It gives public access to circuit and district court case information across all 67 counties, Baldwin included, and you can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Keep in mind that a subscription or a per-search fee applies once you want detailed record access.

If you'd rather not pay, the Alabama Appellate Courts run a free online case search covering appeals that may have started in 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

The Circuit Clerk's office is generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on state holidays. The Fairhope and Foley satellite courthouses handle certain proceedings and offer limited clerk services, so call ahead to each location to confirm what they can actually do for you.

In-Person Searches

If you walk in, you can search case records yourself at the public access terminals in the Circuit Clerk's office in Bay Minette. Staff can help you track down case numbers and steer your request to the right division. Bring as much identifying detail as you can, including full party names, roughly when the case was filed, and the case type.

Mail and Written Requests

To request records by mail, write to the clerk's office that holds the file. Include the full case number if you have it, the names of everyone involved, the case type, and a daytime phone number, and enclose payment for any copy or certification fees. Send requests to:

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

Search Tips

Baldwin County Circuit Court case numbers usually start with "05" (the county's FIPS code), followed by a two-letter prefix that tells you the case type, such as CV for civil, CC for criminal circuit, and DR for domestic relations.
Older records from before the county indexed things electronically may only be findable with an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
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 starts from the assumption that court records are open for the public to inspect. Several constitutional and statutory provisions back up that presumption when it comes 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 reach the judicial system, and that right carries over to the records the courts produce. On top of that, Alabama's public records statutes and court rules lay out how you actually request and obtain court documents.

The key provisions include:

Alabama Code § 12-20-22 — Lets the clerk of the circuit court provide certified copies of court records to anyone who pays the required fee.
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 — Alabama's general public records statute, which gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public writings, including court records, unless another law restricts them.
Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 3 — Sets the rules for accessing court records in the state's unified judicial system.

Categories of Public Records

You can generally get to the following records 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

Some categories are sealed or restricted by statute or by court order:

Juvenile records — Juvenile court proceedings and records are confidential under Alabama Code § 12-15-133 and are not open to general public inspection.
Adoption records — Sealed once an adoption is finalized under Alabama Code § 26-10A-32; you can reach them 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 pulled from public access once a court orders it.
Grand jury proceedings — Secret by law and off-limits to public records requests.
Youthful offender records — Cases handled under youthful offender status (Alabama Code § 15-19-1 et seq.) are sealed.
Mental health records — Involuntary commitment proceedings and the related evaluations are confidential.

Redaction of Personal Identifiers

Alabama courts require certain personal details to be redacted or left out of publicly filed documents, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth (in certain filings), financial account numbers, and the names of minor children. The parties and their attorneys are responsible in the first place for redacting protected information before they file. If sensitive information does show up in a public filing, someone can file a motion to seal or restrict access to it.

Baldwin County Criminal Court Records

In Baldwin County, felony cases go to the Circuit Court, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and municipal ordinance violations. The Circuit Clerk's office is the official custodian of the records from 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 usually begin with an indictment from the Baldwin County Grand Jury or, in limited situations, with an information filed by the Baldwin County District Attorney. A circuit criminal file can include the indictment, arraignment entries, pretrial motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts (when they've been ordered), verdict forms, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings.

To search criminal circuit court records:

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

Misdemeanor and Traffic Cases — Baldwin County District Court

The District Court takes all misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and the preliminary hearings in felony matters. You can search these records through Alacourt as well, using the county code with the right case-type prefix (for example, "05-DM" for District Court misdemeanors and "05-TR" for traffic).

Arrest and Jail Records

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, booking logs, and inmate information separately from the court system. You'll find the Sheriff's Office at:

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

Remember that an arrest record doesn't always line up with a court filing. Only cases that are formally charged and filed with the clerk become part of the court record.

Criminal Background Checks

For statewide criminal history records, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is the office in charge. A formal background check calls for fingerprint submission through an authorized channeler. Baldwin County courts can tell you the disposition of a specific case, but they don't put out comprehensive criminal history reports.

Expungement

Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-16, eligible people can petition to expunge certain criminal records, including non-convictions, some misdemeanor convictions, and specified felony charges that didn't lead to a conviction. You file the petition in the court that handled the case. A filing fee applies, and the district attorney has to be served with notice. The Administrative Office of Courts offers general information about how the expungement process works.

Baldwin County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Baldwin County split between the Circuit Court, which handles matters over $20,000, and the District Court, which shares jurisdiction for claims up to $20,000. Small claims cases go to the District Court for amounts up to $6,000.

Circuit Court Civil Records

The Circuit Court hears a wide range of civil disputes, from breach of contract, personal injury, and medical malpractice to real estate disputes, foreclosures, and declaratory judgment actions. The Circuit Clerk keeps the civil case records, and you can reach them through Alacourt using the "05-CV" prefix for circuit civil matters.

A civil case file usually holds:

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

District Court Civil Records

The District Court takes civil actions within its dollar limits, including landlord-tenant disputes (unlawful detainer), debt collection, and small claims. District Court civil cases carry the "05-DV" prefix for general civil matters and "05-SM" for small claims.

Filing Fees

Alabama sets civil filing fees by statute, and they vary by case type and court. Common amounts include:

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

The legislature can adjust these amounts, so check with the Circuit Clerk at (251) 937-0280 for the current schedule, or look at the Alabama Unified Judicial System fee schedule published by the Administrative Office of Courts.

Judgments and Liens

A civil judgment entered by a Baldwin County court becomes a lien on real property the judgment debtor owns in the county once it's properly recorded. You can search judgment records through the Circuit Clerk's office. For the underlying real property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Baldwin County Probate Court is the recording office.

Forms and Self-Help Resources

The Alabama State Law Library offers court forms, including standardized civil cover sheets and certain filing templates. Baldwin County doesn't run its own public form library for civil matters, so if you need case-specific documents, check with the Administrative Office of Courts or get legal help.

Baldwin County Family Court Records

Family law cases in Baldwin County fall under the Circuit Court's Domestic Relations Division. Alabama doesn't run a separate family court; instead, circuit judges assigned to the domestic relations docket hear these matters.

Domestic Relations Cases

The Domestic Relations Division, which you reach through the Circuit Clerk's office, handles matters such as:

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 records carry the "05-DR" prefix in Alacourt. Docket entries and court orders are generally public, but personal financial disclosures, income affidavits, and child-related evaluations may be kept out of general public access.

Filing for Divorce in Baldwin County

Alabama requires at least one spouse to have been a bona fide state resident for six months before filing for divorce. You file the complaint in the county where the defendant lives, or, if the defendant lives out of state, in the county where the plaintiff lives. The paperwork usually includes a complaint for divorce, a Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CS-41), and, when minor children are involved, a Child Support Information Sheet.

Filing fees for domestic relations cases in Circuit Court run about the same as other civil filings. Contact the Circuit Clerk for the current amount.

Child Support

The Alabama Department of Human Resources runs the state's child support enforcement program. Court-ordered support is usually paid through the Alabama State Disbursement Unit. The court record will hold the support order, any modification petitions, and enforcement actions, all reachable through the Circuit Clerk.

Protection Orders

You file petitions for protection from abuse in Circuit Court, under the Alabama Protection from Abuse Act (Alabama Code § 30-5-1 et seq.). A court can issue an ex parte temporary protection order without notifying the respondent first, followed by a hearing within ten days. These records are generally public, though victim addresses and certain safety information may be restricted.

Adoption Records

The Circuit Court handles adoption proceedings, and they're confidential by statute. Once an adoption is finalized, the records are sealed under Alabama Code § 26-10A-32. You can reach them only through a court order showing good cause or through the Alabama Adoption Registry administered by the Department of Human Resources.

Marriage Records

The Baldwin County Probate Court issues marriage licenses. Since Alabama Act 2019-340 took effect on August 29, 2019, the state no longer requires a marriage ceremony. Instead, both parties fill out and submit an Affidavit of Marriage form, which the Probate Judge records. Marriage records kept by the Probate Court are public records.

Vital Records

The courts don't keep birth and death certificates. For certified copies, go to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. The Baldwin County Health Department in Robertsdale can also help with vital record requests.

Baldwin County Probate Court Records

The Baldwin County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, commitments, adoptions (shared with the 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

The office is generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Types of Probate Cases

The Probate Court's caseload falls into these 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

To find probate case information, contact the Probate Court directly at (251) 937-0260 or visit the court office in Bay Minette. Unlike circuit and district court records, Alabama probate cases aren't always available through Alacourt, since many probate courts run their own case management systems.

For recorded instruments like deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Baldwin County Probate Court keeps land records that may be searchable through the county's recording system. Ask the Probate Court office about online access to recorded documents.

Steps to Obtain Probate Records

Identify the decedent's name (or the ward's name for a guardianship matter) and roughly when the person died or the case was filed.
Contact the Probate Court at (251) 937-0260 to find out whether the estate was probated in Baldwin County.
Request copies of the specific documents you need, providing the case number if you have it.
Pay the copy fees — standard copy fees plus additional certification fees apply.
For mailed requests, send a written request with the identifying information and payment to the Probate Court address above.

Estate Administration Overview

When a Baldwin County resident dies, the personal representative — the executor or administrator — usually files a petition to open the estate in the Probate Court. The court then issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, which authorize the representative to act for the estate. An estate file typically includes the petition, the will (if there is one), an inventory of assets, claims against the estate, accountings, and the final settlement. These records are generally public and open for inspection, though the court may restrict access to certain financial information if someone files a motion asking for it.

Guardianship Records

A guardianship file includes records such as 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 details in the file may be restricted. Guardianship of minors can carry additional confidentiality protections, especially when it's tied to dependency or abuse proceedings that started in juvenile court.

Baldwin County gives you several ways to reach judicial records, whether through electronic databases, in-person visits to the clerk offices in Bay Minette, Fairhope, or Foley, or written requests by mail. Pinning down the right court division and using the matching search tools is the quickest route to the records you're after. When a procedure or a current fee isn't clear, calling the relevant clerk's office directly is still the most reliable way to get an answer.