Coffee County Court Records Search
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Coffee County is located in southeastern Alabama, with two county seats — Enterprise and Elba — each maintaining separate courthouse facilities. The county falls within Alabama’s 12th Judicial Circuit and supports a multilayered court structure that includes circuit, district, probate, and municipal courts. Because of the dual-seat arrangement, many court offices operate from both the Enterprise and Elba divisions, and records may be maintained at either location depending on where a case was filed. This guide covers the specific steps, offices, fees, and online tools needed to locate and obtain court records in Coffee County.
People looking for court records in Alabama can use a combination of local clerk offices, in-person courthouse visits, and statewide electronic databases. AlabamaCourts.us offers a starting point for identifying court locations, accessing forms, and connecting to the online tools maintained by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts that may assist in locating publicly available case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Coffee County?
The primary online resource for searching Coffee County court records is Alacourt Access, a statewide system operated by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. This on-demand platform provides access to trial court records — including criminal, civil, domestic relations, small claims, child support, and traffic cases — from every Alabama county. Users can search by party name or case number.
Alacourt Access fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| District Court case | $19.99 |
| Circuit Court case | $29.99 |
| Document images | $5.00 for first 20 pages; $0.50 per page after |
An account is required. Users can sign up and purchase access to individual cases. Alacourt Access displays court setting dates, case actions and rulings, party information, financial details, and document images when available.
For probate and land records, the Coffee County Probate Office provides free online searching through the INGRecords portal. Users can view documents at no charge; printing costs $2.00 per page. No registration is required to search or view land records and probate court records.
In-person searches can be conducted at any of the Coffee County courthouses. The Circuit Clerk’s office, which handles criminal and civil filings, operates from both locations:
Coffee County Circuit Clerk — Enterprise
Address: 101 S. Edwards Street, Enterprise, AL 36330
Phone: (334) 347-2519
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Coffee County Circuit Clerk — Elba
Address: 230 Court Avenue, Elba, AL 36323
Phone: (334) 897-2954
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Probate Office operates on a 4/10 schedule (effective September 30, 2024):
Coffee County Probate Office — Enterprise
Address: 101 S. Edwards Street, P.O. Box 311247, Enterprise, AL 36331
Phone: (334) 347-2688
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Fridays
Coffee County Probate Office — Elba
Address: 230-P North Court Street, Elba, AL 36323
Phone: (334) 897-2211
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Fridays
Note that the 4/10 schedule does not affect Circuit Court, District Court, the Circuit Clerk, or the Juvenile Probation Office — those offices remain open on Fridays.
Are Court Records Public in Coffee County?
Alabama law establishes a right of public access to government records. Under Alabama Code §36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state, except as otherwise provided by statute. The Alabama Public Records Law further reinforces that government entities must maintain means through which the public can access records in their custody.
Most court records in Coffee County are available for public inspection. This includes case filings, docket entries, judgments, orders, and other documents in the possession of the Circuit Clerk, District Court, and Probate Court. All estate records on file with the Probate Court are public records.
However, several categories of records are restricted from public access:
- Sealed and expunged records — Cases sealed by court order or expunged under Alabama’s Clean Slate or expungement statutes are removed from public availability
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are confidential
- Confidential personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account details, driver’s license numbers, and state identification numbers must be protected
- Mental health proceedings — Commitment and related mental health case files are restricted
- Active investigation records — Documents connected to ongoing law enforcement or judicial investigations may be exempt
- Protective order and victim information — Sensitive details in domestic violence and protection cases may be restricted
Alabama’s Supreme Court has enacted rules on court-record privacy and confidentiality that require filers to redact or separately file confidential information. Persons seeking records that may be restricted should contact the relevant clerk’s office for guidance.
Coffee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Coffee County is shared between the Circuit Court and the District Court. The Circuit Court handles felonies and cases bound over from preliminary hearings, while the District Court oversees misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and certain violations. Municipal courts in Elba, Enterprise, and Kinston manage municipal ordinance offenses and minor traffic matters.
Searching criminal court records online:
- Go to Alacourt Access and create an account.
- Select Coffee County from the county menu.
- Search by defendant name or case number.
- Purchase access to the case file. District Court criminal cases cost $19.99; Circuit Court cases cost $29.99.
Docket information, case actions, court dates, charges, dispositions, and document images (where available) are displayed through Alacourt Access.
Criminal history background checks
For a statewide criminal background check — distinct from a specific court case lookup — requests go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The process requires:
- Get fingerprinted at a local law enforcement agency. A valid photo ID is required.
- Complete the ALEA application form.
- Include a copy of a current photo ID.
- Enclose a $25 fee by cashier’s check or money order payable to ALEA, Criminal Records and Identification Unit.
- Mail or deliver the application to:
ALEA — Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
ALEA — Physical Address
301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (Adams Avenue side)
Arrest records
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and other law enforcement records. In-person inquiries are accepted during business hours:
Coffee County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1133 East McKinnon Street, New Brockton, AL 36351
Phone: (334) 894-5535
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Municipal courts handling criminal matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Elba Municipal Court | 312 Simmons Street, Elba, AL 36323 | (334) 897-1254 |
| Enterprise Municipal Court | 501 South Main Street, P.O. Box 31100, Enterprise, AL 36331 | (334) 347-1211 |
| Kinston Municipal Court | P.O. Box 2, Kinston, AL 36453 | — |
Coffee County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Coffee County are distributed among the Circuit Court and District Court based on the nature and monetary value of the claim. The Circuit Court hears general civil matters, complex commercial disputes, real estate and boundary cases, and civil equity actions. The District Court handles small claims and civil cases within its jurisdictional limit.
How to obtain civil court records:
- Alacourt Access: Search Alacourt Access by party name or case number. Civil case records include complaints, answers, motions, orders, judgments, and other filings. Access fees apply per case.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at either the Enterprise courthouse (101 S. Edwards Street) or the Elba courthouse (230 Court Avenue) during business hours. Bring identifying information about the case — such as the case number, party names, or approximate filing date — to help staff locate the file.
- Alabama Administrative Office of Courts: The Alacourt website provides general information, forms, and filing instructions relevant to civil proceedings statewide.
The Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian of civil court records for the Court of Common Pleas, maintaining case files at both division locations. Record seekers should note that the Enterprise Division phone is (334) 347-2519 and the Elba Division phone is (334) 897-2954.
For property-related civil records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records — the Probate Court serves as the recording office. These documents can be searched through the Coffee County online records portal or the INGRecords system. Viewing is free; printing costs $2.00 per page. Elba Division property records are listed with an “A” prefix after the book number, while Enterprise Division records are listed without a prefix.
Coffee County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Coffee County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, and paternity actions — are heard by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains all family court filings at both the Enterprise and Elba courthouses.
Divorce records
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. To obtain copies:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk’s office in the division where the case was filed during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
- Search for divorce case docket information through Alacourt Access
Divorce certificates — a summary vital record distinct from the court decree — can also be obtained through the Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. To request by mail:
- Complete the vital records application form in English or Spanish.
- Include a copy of a valid photo ID.
- Enclose a $15 fee by check or money order.
- Mail to: Alabama Vital Records, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625.
Marriage records
Marriage records in Coffee County are maintained by the Probate Court. Copies can be obtained by mail or in person at either probate office location. Mail requests should include a letter specifying the names of the parties and the marriage date, a $3 copy fee, and a stamped self-addressed envelope. Marriage certificates are also available from Alabama Vital Records using the same application form and $15 fee described above.
Birth and death records
These vital records are maintained at the state level by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Birth records less than 125 years old are restricted to the record subject, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Death records are likewise limited to eligible parties. Applications can be submitted using the same vital records form, with a $15 fee, mailed to Alabama Vital Records at P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. In-person requests can be made at the RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.
Coffee County Probate Court Records
The Coffee County Probate Court handles estate administration, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The court also serves as the recording office for land records, including deeds, mortgages, and other property instruments. Probate operations are split between the Enterprise and Elba divisions.
Searching probate records:
The most convenient method is the INGRecords online portal, which provides access to both probate case records and land records. Searching and viewing documents is free; printed copies cost $2.00 per page. No account is required to browse. Users who create an account can access purchased records for 30 days.
When searching, note the following naming conventions:
- Probate cases in the Elba Division begin with PC
- Probate cases in the Enterprise Division begin with PR
In-person requests can be made at either Probate Office location:
Enterprise Division
Address: 101 S. Edwards Street, P.O. Box 311247, Enterprise, AL 36331
Phone: (334) 347-2688
Elba Division
Address: 230-P North Court Street, Elba, AL 36323
Phone: (334) 897-2211
Both offices are open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and closed on Fridays under the current 4/10 schedule.
All estate records on file with the Probate Court are public records and available for inspection. The Probate Court also handles marriage license issuance, certain property transactions, and land records recording. For questions about specific probate filings, contact the relevant division by phone or visit during operating hours. The Coffee County Probate Office website provides additional forms, contact information, and a mobile app for convenient access to court resources.