Covington County Court Records Search
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Covington County, located in south Alabama, is served by a layered court system that handles everything from traffic citations to complex civil litigation and estate proceedings. Court records generated through these proceedings — including case filings, hearing schedules, orders, judgments, and sentencing information — are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and various other judicial offices across the county. These documents form the official record of legal proceedings and are essential for anyone conducting background research, resolving legal disputes, or verifying the outcome of a case.
Residents and researchers looking for court records in Alabama have several pathways available to them. Public access terminals, clerk’s office visits, and written requests are all viable options, and many records can be located using online tools. AlabamaCourts.us can help users identify which courts handle specific case types and point them toward publicly available case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Covington County?
The Circuit Clerk’s office is the central records custodian for both Circuit and District Court cases in Covington County and serves as the primary starting point for most records inquiries. Court records are electronically imaged, making retrieval more efficient for court staff and members of the public alike.
Online Search Options
The most convenient way to search Covington County cases remotely is through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The Alabama Judicial System website offers a “Just One Look” feature that provides on-demand access to Alabama state trial court records on a per-case basis — fees apply for this service. The 22nd Judicial Circuit’s On-Demand docket search allows users to pull docket information for Covington County cases by case type and party. The AlaFile system enables registered users to file and retrieve service copies of court documents electronically; pro se litigants can register online and then bring a printed confirmation with a state-issued photo ID to the clerk’s office during normal business hours to complete enrollment.
In-Person Search
Anyone wishing to examine records directly can visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at the Covington County Courthouse during regular business hours. Staff can assist with locating cases across the ten divisions maintained by the office, which include civil, criminal, domestic, child support, traffic, juvenile, and warrant-related records.
Covington County Circuit and District Court
Address: Covington County Courthouse, 1-K North Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428-2520
Fax: (334) 428-2531
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mail Requests
Written requests for specific records may be directed to the Circuit Clerk’s office at the address above. Requesters should include the case number, full names of the parties, and the approximate filing date to help expedite retrieval. Fees may apply for copies.
Are Court Records Public in Covington County?
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state, except where expressly prohibited by statute. This means that the majority of court records in Covington County — including civil filings, criminal case outcomes, and court orders — are accessible to the public upon request.
However, certain categories of records are protected from public disclosure:
- Juvenile case records — proceedings involving minors are sealed by default under Alabama law
- Sealed court documents — records sealed by court order are inaccessible to the public
- Ongoing investigation materials — case information that could compromise active investigations
- Sensitive personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers and financial account data subject to redaction
- National security matters — records that implicate federal or state security interests
- DD-214 military discharge records — recorded but sealed at the Covington County Probate Office per state and federal policy
When a record is public but contains restricted information, courts are required to redact the protected data before providing access. Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the appropriate court or invoke rights under Alabama’s public records statutes. Additional legal information and standardized forms for court-related matters are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.
Covington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Covington County are divided between the Circuit Court, which handles felonies, and the District Court, which presides over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings. Both courts operate out of the Covington County Courthouse in Andalusia. The District Court is currently presided over by the Honorable Julie S. Moody, while Circuit Court judges handle felony-level matters for the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information can be accessed through the following channels:
- Just One Look on alacourt.gov — per-case fee applies for on-demand access to trial court records statewide
- Covington County docket search — searchable by case type and party name
- In-person review at the Circuit Clerk’s office, 1-K North Court Square, Andalusia
Criminal History Background Checks
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is the authorized state agency for criminal history record information in Alabama. Individuals may request their own criminal history through the Alabama Background Check (ABC) portal or by submitting an online records request form. A non-refundable minimum processing fee of $25.00 is required when submitting the background check application form. Requests that require extensive processing time may incur higher costs.
Mail requests for ALEA background checks may be sent to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Criminal Records and Identification Unit
ATTN: Background Checks
Address: P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Traffic Court
Traffic violations in Covington County are handled through the 22nd Judicial Circuit’s traffic division. Questions about traffic fines and payments may be directed to the Alabama Traffic Service Center or by calling the Circuit Clerk’s office at (334) 428-2520.
Municipal Courts
Several municipalities within Covington County operate their own courts for ordinance violations and minor traffic matters:
| Municipal Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusia Municipal Court | 102 Opp Ave, P.O. Box 429, Andalusia, AL 36420 | (334) 222-3311 |
| Opp Municipal Court | 101 N Main St, P.O. Box 610, Opp, AL 36467 | (334) 493-1831 |
| Florala Municipal Court | 22654 Wall Ave, P.O. Box 351, Florala, AL 36442 | (334) 858-2791 |
| Gantt Municipal Court | 28826 Commerce St, P.O. Box 8, Gantt, AL 36038 | (334) 388-4786 |
| Lockhart Municipal Court | 1548 Chippeway St, Lockhart, AL 36455 | (334) 858-6744 |
| Red Level Municipal Court | 29098 Smiley St, P.O. Box 236, Red Level, AL 36474 | (334) 469-5351 |
| River Falls Municipal Court | 24681 Firehouse Rd, P.O. Box 17, River Falls, AL 36476 | (334) 222-3510 |
Covington County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Covington County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and small claims — falls under the jurisdiction of either the Circuit Court or the District Court depending on the dollar amount at issue. The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains records for both divisions and divides civil case files into distinct categories including general civil, domestic, and child support matters.
How to Access Civil Records
- Online: Use the Just One Look feature at alacourt.gov to retrieve individual case records for a per-case fee. The docket search portal allows broader searches by county and case type.
- E-Filing and Document Retrieval: Attorneys and registered pro se litigants can file documents and access service copies through AlaFile, the Alabama court system’s electronic filing platform.
- In-Person: Visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at the courthouse between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Staff can direct you to the appropriate division and assist with copy requests.
- By Mail: Submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 1-K North Court Square, Andalusia, AL 36420, including as much case-identifying information as possible.
The Circuit Clerk’s office also handles judicial sales, appeal bond approvals, and the preparation of appeal transcripts. Standard copy fees apply for all record reproductions; contact the clerk’s office directly at (334) 428-2520 for the current fee schedule.
Covington County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Covington County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and domestic violence proceedings — are primarily handled through the Circuit Court’s domestic division. These records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and may be searched through the same channels as other civil records.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are initiated and heard in the Covington County Circuit Court. For divorces finalized after 1950, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) also maintains certified records. The search fee through ADPH is $15.00, which includes either one certified copy of the divorce certificate or a “Certificate of Failure to Find”. Additional certified copies cost $6.00 each, and expedited service carries a $15.00 surcharge. Requests may be submitted online through VitalChek, in person at any county health department location, or by mailing a completed vital records request form to:
Center for Health Statistics
Address: P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
For divorces prior to 1950, the Covington County Circuit Court is the repository of record.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued through the Covington County Probate Court. The fee for a standard adult marriage certificate is $75.50; marriages involving minors carry a fee of $78.50 and require supplementary documentation. Certified copies are also accessible through the ADPH at the same fee structure used for divorce records ($15.00 for the first copy, $6.00 per additional copy). Requests to ADPH may be submitted using the same application form noted above.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Covington County are maintained by the Alabama Department of Public Health. A certified birth certificate costs $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Access to birth records is restricted to the person named on the record (if of legal age), immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Death certificates carry the same fee structure and are available to immediate family, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrable legitimate interest.
Adoption, Guardianship, and Child Support
Adoption petitions in Covington County are filed through the Probate Court, while child custody and support enforcement matters are tracked in the Circuit Court’s domestic and child support divisions. These case types may carry additional access restrictions; contact the Circuit Clerk’s office or Probate Court directly for guidance on retrieving specific records.
Covington County Probate Court Records
The Covington County Probate Court, currently presided over by Judge Stacey B. Brooks, handles a defined set of proceedings under Alabama law. These include the administration of estates, the probating of last wills and testaments, adoptions, guardianships and conservatorships, involuntary mental health commitments, land condemnations, and name changes.
Probate Court
Address: Covington County Courthouse, 1-K North Court Square, P.O. Box 789, Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 428-2512
Fax: (334) 428-2535
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
The Probate Recording Division also serves as the public records repository for Covington County. Real property instruments such as deeds and mortgages, business formation documents, and UCC-1 filings are all recorded here and become public records upon recording. Approximately 30 years of records have been digitized, with ongoing work to add historical documents from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Records can be accessed in two primary ways:
- Online: View records free of charge or download them for a fee through the Covington County Probate records portal. A flat-rate monthly subscription is also available for high-volume users.
- In-Person: Visit the Probate Recording Division during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) to search and photocopy documents. The office accepts cash, MasterCard, Visa, and checks. Contact the Recording Division at (334) 428-2518 or (334) 428-2519 with questions.
To request a specific probate case record — such as an estate filing or guardianship order — provide the full name of the decedent or subject of the proceeding, the approximate filing date, and the case number if available. Probate court records that are public may also be searched using the AlaFile judicial search portal for cases entered into the electronic system. Note that DD-214 military discharge forms, while recorded by the Probate Office, are sealed and unavailable to the public.