Clarke County Court Records Search
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Clarke County, Alabama, covers a large stretch of the state's southwestern region, situated between the Alabama River to the east and the Tombigbee River to the west. The county seat of Grove Hill is home to the county's principal courts, all sharing the same courthouse address at 114 Court Street. Records from those proceedings — criminal dockets, civil judgments, divorce filings, probate inventories, and traffic matters — are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and the Probate Office, with much of that information accessible remotely through the state's electronic infrastructure.
Locating court records in Alabama typically involves some combination of in-person visits, clerk-office requests, and online tools. The state judiciary's resources, accessible through AlabamaCourts.us, include case-lookup portals, downloadable court forms, and guidance on fees. Clerk offices at the county courthouse and public access terminals inside the building offer free case-docket viewing during business hours. For remote access, the state provides paid online case-search tools covering civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic records statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clarke County?
Clarke County trial court records are indexed electronically and available through several channels:
| Search Method | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| In-person clerk counter | Circuit Clerk, 114 Court Street, Grove Hill | Copying fees apply; viewing free |
| Public access terminals | Clarke County Courthouse, same location | Free viewing; per-page fee for prints |
| Just One Look portal | Online — pa.alacourt.com | $9.99 per name or case-number search; document images $5.00 for first 20 pages, $0.50 per additional page |
| Case monitoring alerts | Same portal | $19.99/month (District); $29.99/month (Circuit) |
| AlaFile | Online — attorneys and registered pro se users | Per-document fees; access to filings in your own case |
| Mail request | Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 921, Grove Hill, AL 36451 | Written request + money order + SASE |
Clarke County Circuit Clerk — Summer Scruggs Padgett
Address: Clarke County Courthouse, P.O. Box 921, Grove Hill, AL 36451
Phone: (251) 275-3363 | Fax: (251) 275-3271
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM–1:00 PM for lunch)
Having a case number, party name, or approximate filing date ready before contacting the clerk will substantially speed up your search. The clerk's office maintains separate divisions for Civil, Criminal, Domestic Relations, Child Support, Traffic, Juvenile, and Warrants cases.
Are Court Records Public in Clarke County?
Code of Alabama § 36-12-40 establishes the foundational right of every citizen to inspect and copy public writings held by state or county government entities, including court records. Clarke County courts operate under this statute, meaning most case records are open to anyone who requests them during regular business hours.
That access right does have defined boundaries. The following categories of records are withheld from routine public inspection in Clarke County:
- Juvenile records — delinquency, dependency, and child-in-need-of-supervision cases are confidential under Alabama law
- Adoption records — sealed to protect the identities of all parties involved in the proceeding
- Medical and mental health evaluations — health-related materials filed as part of any proceeding are restricted
- Confidential witness statements — materials that could identify protected witnesses or endanger public safety
- Active criminal investigation files — records tied to ongoing law enforcement inquiries that have not yet resulted in court filings
- Expunged records — once expungement is granted, those case materials are removed from public view
Restricted records may only be released to the parties of record, their legal representatives, or third parties who obtain a court order demonstrating compelling need. Clerks are prohibited by state law from providing legal advice, though they can explain filing procedures and copy fee schedules.
Clarke County Criminal Court Records
Court Jurisdiction
Felony criminal cases — those carrying potential sentences of more than one year — are heard by the Clarke County Circuit Court, which is part of Alabama's First Judicial Circuit. The District Court handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions. Both courts operate from the same courthouse at 114 Court Street, Grove Hill.
Clarke County Circuit Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 114 Court Street, P.O. Box 921, Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Phone | (251) 275-3163 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
Clarke County District Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 114 Court Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Phone | (251) 275-8296 |
Requesting Criminal Records
Criminal case files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are searchable by party name or case number. In-person requests at the clerk counter are accepted during business hours. Copy fees are $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus per-page fees. Mail requests must include a written description of the record sought, a money order payable to Clarke County Circuit Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
For statewide criminal record lookups, the Just One Look portal at Alacourt.com allows single-case searches at $9.99 per search, covering all Alabama trial court dockets including Clarke County's criminal divisions.
Arrest Records
Arrest records and booking information are maintained by the Clarke County Sheriff's Department, not the Circuit Clerk. The Sheriff's Office handles records for incidents in unincorporated areas and serves all subpoenas, arrest warrants, and court process for both the District and Probate Courts throughout the county. Contact the Sheriff's Department for arrest log requests:
Clarke County Sheriff's Department
Address: 114 Court Street, P.O. Box 913, Grove Hill, AL 36451
Phone: (251) 275-4254
Jail: 149 Clark Street, P.O. Box 913, Grove Hill, AL 36451 | (251) 275-3773
For traffic citation payments, the Alabama Traffic Court portal accepts credit card payments online or by phone at (866) 954-9399, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Standard criminal court forms — including hardship affidavits and appeal notices — are available at no cost through AOC E-Forms.
Clarke County Civil Court Records
Jurisdiction
Civil cases in Clarke County are split between two courts based on the dollar value of the dispute. The District Court hears civil claims ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, while the Circuit Court handles all civil actions exceeding $20,000, along with declaratory judgment actions and non-monetary civil matters. Small claims — capped at $6,000 — are filed as a specialized track within the District Court and follow simplified, informal procedures without a jury.
Filing Fees
| Case Type | Certified Mail Service | Sheriff Service |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims (up to $1,500) | $54.00 | $69.00 |
| Small Claims ($1,501–$3,000) | $128.00 | $143.00 |
| Small Claims ($3,001–$6,000) | $217.00 | $232.00 |
| District Civil ($6,001–$20,000) | $284.00 | $299.00 |
| Circuit Civil (up to $50,000) | $283.00 | $298.00 |
| Circuit Civil (over $50,000) | $383.00 | $398.00 |
Additional fees include $30.00 per additional defendant, $50.00 per additional plaintiff (capped at $500 per case), $50.00 for garnishments or executions, $32.00 per subpoena, and $100.00 for a civil jury demand.
How to File a Small Claims Case
- Obtain the Statement of Claim form from the Circuit Clerk's counter at 114 Court Street, or download it from AOC E-Forms
- Complete the form with the defendant's full name and current address or place of employment
- Submit the completed form to the Circuit Clerk and pay the applicable filing fee (non-refundable)
- If the fee creates a financial hardship, request an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship form at the clerk's counter or through AOC E-Forms
- The clerk processes the filing, assigns a case number, and sends the complaint for service on the defendant
- The defendant has 14 calendar days after service to file an Answer; failure to do so allows the plaintiff to request a default judgment
- If answered, trial is typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after the answer is received
- Either party may appeal a small claims judgment to the Circuit Court by filing a Notice of Appeal within 14 calendar days of the judgment; the Circuit Court appeal filing fee is $306.00 for a non-jury trial or $406.00 for a jury trial
Civil case records, once filed, are accessible through the clerk counter, public terminals at the courthouse, or through the Just One Look portal for remotely accessible docket information.
Clarke County Family Court Records
Divorce and Domestic Relations
All divorce filings, legal separation petitions, and related domestic relations matters in Clarke County are handled by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's Domestic Relations Division maintains these case files, which include divorce decrees, child custody orders, child support calculations, and contempt petitions. The filing fee for an original domestic relations action is $231.00 by certified mail service or $246.00 with Sheriff service. Modification or enforcement (contempt) filings carry a fee of $334.00 by certified mail or $349.00 with Sheriff service.
Uncontested divorces are subject to a mandatory 30-day waiting period from filing before a judge may sign the decree, provided all paperwork is complete. Contested divorces are assigned to a Circuit Court judge, with the defendant having 30 days to respond after service. Clarke County's Circuit Clerk does not accept faxed or emailed filings — all original documents must be submitted in person or by mail.
Copies of divorce decrees cost $0.50 per page plus $5.00 for certification. Mail requests should be sent to the Circuit Clerk's Domestic Relations Division at the courthouse address above, with a money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Self-help forms for pro se divorce and custody filings are available through AOC E-Forms and through Alabama Legal Help.
Protection from Abuse Orders
Clarke County residents experiencing domestic violence or stalking may petition the Circuit Court for a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order under Alabama's Protection from Abuse Act. Emergency ex parte orders can be issued the same day when a judge determines immediate danger exists. PFA forms are available from the AOC E-Forms civil section and the Circuit Clerk's counter.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Certified marriage certificates from August 1936 forward and divorce certificates from 1950 forward are held by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. For events before those dates, contact the Clarke County Probate Office for pre-1936 marriage records, or the Circuit Clerk for pre-1950 divorce records. The fee is $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
Requests may be submitted in person at the Clarke County Health Department (22600 Highway 84 East, Grove Hill, AL 36451; phone (251) 275-3772), by mailing a completed Vital Records Application Form to the Center for Health Statistics (P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625), or online through VitalChek.
Birth and Death Records
Birth certificates are restricted for 125 years and death certificates for 25 years from the date of the event. During those confidentiality windows, only close family members — including spouses, parents, adult children, and siblings — or authorized legal representatives may obtain copies. Both are available from the Clarke County Health Department at the address above or by mail through the Center for Health Statistics at the same fee schedule of $15.00 per certificate.
Clarke County Probate Court Records
Jurisdiction
The Clarke County Probate Court, presided over by Probate Judge Stephanie Kemmer, has original jurisdiction over wills and estate administration, adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, marriage license issuance, and property instrument recordings such as deeds and mortgages. Since 1989, vehicle tag and business license work has been handled by a separate License Commission, keeping the Probate Office focused on judicial and recording functions.
Clarke County Probate Court
Address: 114 Court Street, P.O. Box 10, Grove Hill, AL 36451
Phone: (251) 275-3251 | Fax: (251) 275-8427
Email (Recording Clerk): sfuller@clarkecountyal.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (documents for hand delivery must arrive by 4:30 PM)
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Estate (intestate) | $145.00 |
| Last Will and Testament | $145.00 (add $3.00/page for wills over 5 pages) |
| Adoption — child born in Alabama | $305.00 (includes GAL fee) |
| Adoption — child born out of state | $295.00 (includes GAL fee) |
| Conservatorship | $350.00 |
| Final Settlement of Conservatorship | $150.00 |
| Guardianship | $350.00 |
| Final Settlement of Guardianship | $150.00 |
| Guardianship and Conservatorship combined | $350.00 |
| Temporary Guardianship | $275.00 |
| Name Change (adult) | $75.00 |
| Foreign Will / Ancillary Probate | $45.00 |
| Petition to Sell Property | $250.00 |
| Petition for Exempt Property | $75.00 |
| Correction of Marriage Record | $15.00 |
All checks must be made payable to Clarke County Probate Court. No personal out-of-state checks are accepted, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with adequate postage must accompany any mailed filings.
Accessing Probate Records Online
Probate case records from 1996 to the present are searchable through the Clarke County Probate online portal after registering for a free user account. Records from 1819 to 1995 are accessible through RecordHub, which hosts scanned historical instruments and index entries. For records not available through either portal, in-person requests at the Probate Office during business hours are the most reliable option.
Recording and Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording — first page | $6.00 |
| Recording — each additional page | $3.00 |
| Extra index reference (beyond 2nd name) | $1.00 each |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $3.00 certification + $1.00 per page |
| Deed tax | $0.50 per $500 of value (approx. $1.00 per $1,000) |
| Mortgage recording tax | $0.15 per $100 of indebtedness |
| UCC filing (up to 2 pages) | $20.00 |
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments — are part of the Probate Court's land records. The county's public GIS system allows free parcel searches by owner name or parcel number. For deeper historical searches, the Alabama Department of Archives and History holds microfilm copies of Clarke County deed volumes, and the Alabama Secretary of State maintains digitized tract books online.