Elmore County Court Records Search
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Elmore County encompasses the 19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, with court operations centered in Wetumpka, the county seat. The county maintains two principal court facilities: the Elmore County Judicial Complex at 8935 U.S. Highway 231, which houses the Circuit Court, District Court, and Circuit Clerk’s Office, and the historic Elmore County Courthouse at 100 East Commerce Street, where the Probate Court and its Recording Division operate. Circuit Clerk Michael Dozier serves as the official record keeper for all proceedings held in the Circuit and District Courts, while the Probate Judge oversees estate matters, adoptions, guardianships, and the recording of property documents and marriage certificates.
Alabama court records can be searched through multiple channels, including clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and statewide digital tools provided by the judiciary. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts offers links to electronic filing, court forms, and case search platforms. For an overview of Alabama court resources and case information across all counties, AlabamaCourts.us can serve as a useful reference point when beginning a records search.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Elmore County?
Locating a court case in Elmore County depends on the type of proceeding and which office acts as custodian. Criminal, civil, domestic relations, traffic, juvenile, and child support cases filed in the Circuit or District Courts are managed by the Circuit Clerk. Probate, estate, adoption, and property matters are administered by the Probate Court.
Online Case Searches
The primary statewide tool for accessing trial court records is Alacourt Access, branded as “Just One Look”. This system covers civil, domestic, criminal, and traffic records for all Alabama state courts, including Elmore County. Search fees are:
- Name search: $9.99
- Case number search: $9.99
- Document images: $5.00 for the first 20 pages; $0.50 per page thereafter
Probate Court records — including land records, probate case filings, and marriage certificates — can be searched through the Elmore County Probate Online Services portal. Registered users can view and print documents; the viewing fee is $0.85 per image, and downloading or printing costs $1.00 per image.
In-Person Access
Both court facilities are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding county-recognized holidays. The Recording Division accepts documents for recording until 4:00 p.m.
| Office | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk’s Office | 8935 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092 | (334) 514-3116 |
| Probate Court / Recording Department | 100 E. Commerce Street, Room 100, Wetumpka, AL 36092 | (334) 567-1140 |
| Probate Court Fax | — | (334) 512-0522 |
| Juror Information | — | (334) 567-2202 |
Public viewing stations for recorded documents are available at the historic courthouse in Room 100. Case files held by the Circuit Clerk can be inspected at the Judicial Complex during business hours. Copy fees at the Circuit Clerk’s office are $5.00 for up to 20 pages and $0.50 for each additional page; certified copies cost $10.00.
Mail Requests
Written requests for Circuit or District Court records should be directed to:
Elmore County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 310
Wetumpka, AL 36093
For probate or recorded documents:
Elmore County Judge of Probate
Recording Department
P.O. Box 280
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Include sufficient identifying details — docket number, party names, or instrument type — and enclose the applicable fee. Traffic fines and District Criminal case payments can be submitted online through AlaPay. Attorneys and self-represented parties may file documents electronically using the AlaFile system. Court forms are also available at eforms.alacourt.gov and through Alabama Legal Help.
Are Court Records Public in Elmore County?
Alabama law provides strong public access rights to court records. Under § 36-12-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975, any citizen may inspect and copy public writings, which broadly includes records maintained by the courts. Rule 33 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration reinforces this right by establishing procedures for public access and retrieval of court records. Rule 30 defines the scope of a “court record”, encompassing the entire case file — transcripts, exhibits, dockets, summonses, and documents in any format, whether paper, electronic, audio, video, or microfilm.
Despite this broad access framework, specific categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Sealed records — Any file or document sealed by court order is unavailable until a judge authorizes its release.
- Juvenile records — Dependency and delinquency proceedings involving minors are confidential.
- Adoption records — All adoption files are closed to the general public.
- Unexecuted warrants — Warrants that have not yet been served are withheld from public inspection.
- Confidential personal details — Personal identifying information of case parties, witness testimony in certain proceedings, confidential investigative reports, medical files, and victim information may be redacted or restricted.
Individuals who need access to a restricted record should consult with the custodial office or seek guidance from an attorney regarding the procedures for petitioning the court.
Elmore County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Elmore County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court. The Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions, misdemeanor appeals, and all jury trials. The District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, juvenile delinquency cases, and conducts preliminary hearings and arraignments in felony cases. The Circuit Clerk maintains all criminal case files.
Searching Criminal Dockets
Criminal case records can be searched through Alacourt Access at $9.99 per search. In-person inquiries should be directed to the Circuit Clerk at (334) 514-3116 at the Judicial Complex, 8935 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092.
Key Criminal Court Costs
| Fee Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| District Criminal Docket Fee | $154.00 |
| Felony Docket Fee | $227.00 |
| Traffic Docket Fee | $121.00 |
| Preliminary Hearing Fee | $35.00 |
| Bail Filing Fee | $35.00 |
| Alias Warrant (District) | $37.00 |
| Alias Warrant (Circuit) | $47.00 |
| Subpoena | $8.00 |
| Sheriff Fee (per document) | $20.00 |
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is the central repository for criminal history records. To request a record:
- Complete the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI).
- Include a set of fingerprints on an FBI-approved Applicant Fingerprint Card, taken at any authorized law enforcement agency.
- Attach one copy of a valid photo ID.
- Submit payment of $25.00 (money order or cashier’s check payable to ALEA); additional copies are $5.00 each.
- Mail to: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Criminal Records and Identification Unit, ATTN: Background Checks, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. The physical office is at 301 South Ripley Street (Adams Avenue side), Montgomery, AL 36104. Phone: (334) 676-7897
Employers and authorized entities may also use the Alabama Background Check System online, which requires a $95 annual subscription fee.
Elmore County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office handles local arrest records and maintains a current inmate roster online:
Elmore County Sheriff’s Office
8955 U.S. Highway 231
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: (334) 567-5546
Jail: (334) 567-5441
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Anonymous Tips: (256) 734-0210
The Sheriff’s Civil Division processes service of court papers at $20.00 per document served.
Elmore County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Elmore County is filed in either the Circuit Court or the District Court depending on the amount in dispute. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $6,000, and shares concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for amounts between $6,000 and $20,000. The Circuit Court handles all civil cases above $20,000, injunctive or equitable relief, workers’ compensation, and boundary disputes. Small Claims Court, a division of the District Court, covers disputes up to $6,000.
Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims (up to $1,500) | $52.00 |
| Small Claims ($1,500.01–$3,000) | $126.00 |
| Small Claims ($3,000.01–$6,000) | $215.00 |
| Unlawful Detainer (District) | $285.00 |
| Circuit Civil (up to $50,000) | $284.00 |
| Circuit Civil (over $50,000) | $384.00 |
| Counterclaim / Cross-Claim / Third-Party Complaint | $372.00 |
| Additional Plaintiff (Circuit: $100; Small Claims/District: $50) | varies |
| Additional Defendant | $10.00 |
| Jury Demand | $100.00 |
| Garnishment / Attachment / Execution | $30.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 |
| Motion for Default / Summary Judgment | $50.00 |
| Copies (up to 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Certified Copies | $10.00 |
| Authentication of Records | $5.00 per document |
| Record Search | $10.00–$25.00 |
Civil cases can be searched online through Alacourt Access or in person at the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The full court costs schedule is posted on the Elmore County Court Costs page. Forms for small claims, including the Statement of Claim and Affidavit of Substantial Hardship, are available at eforms.alacourt.gov. Filing fees are non-refundable, and personal checks are not accepted for filing.
Elmore County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, and protection-from-abuse cases are filed with the Circuit Clerk and heard in the Circuit Court under the Domestic Relations division. Paternity cases are adjudicated in the District Court, and juvenile dependency matters fall under the District Court’s jurisdiction as well.
Domestic Relations Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (original complaint) | $232.00 |
| Modification / Enforcement | $335.00 |
| Motion for Default / Summary Judgment | $50.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 each |
| Garnishment / Execution / Attachment | $30.00 |
| Income Withholding Order | $28.00 |
| Copies (up to 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Copies (beyond 20 pages) | $0.50 each |
| Certified Copies (up to 20 pages) | $10.00 |
| Certified Copies (beyond 20 pages) | $0.50 each |
| Child Support (never married) | $132.00 |
| Juvenile Petition | $130.00 |
Divorce and domestic case dockets can be reviewed online through Alacourt Access. In-person requests are handled at the Circuit Clerk’s Office, 8935 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092, Phone: (334) 514-3116
Marriage Certificates
Alabama does not require a ceremony for a valid marriage. The couple completes and signs the required Marriage Certificate form, then submits it to the Probate Court for recording within 30 days. The recording fee in Elmore County is $76.00, payable by cash, money order, or credit card — no personal checks accepted. Marriage records are also accessible through the Probate Online Services portal.
The Alabama Department of Public Health Center for Vital Statistics maintains marriage certificates from August 1936 onward. Certified copies cost $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Requests can be made at the Elmore County Health Department (Phone: (334) 567-1171), by mail using the Vital Records Mail-In Application sent to Alabama Vital Records, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625, or online through the state’s approved third-party vendor. Marriage records before August 1936 must be obtained from the issuing county’s Probate Court.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in Alabama are confidential for 125 years from the date of birth, and death records for 25 years from the date of death. During those restriction periods, only authorized individuals — such as the record subject, parents, legal guardians, spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren (for death records), or authorized legal representatives — may obtain certified copies. Applicants must present a valid photo ID. The birth certificate application and death certificate application can each be submitted in person at the Elmore County Health Department, by mail, or online. The fee is $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, payable by check or money order to the “State Board of Health”.
Elmore County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court of Elmore County handles proceedings involving the probate of wills, estate administration, commitments, partition and condemnation actions, adoptions, conservatorships, guardianships, name changes, and legitimations. The court is presided over by the Probate Judge and is located at:
Elmore County Probate Court
100 East Commerce Street, Room 100
Wetumpka, AL 36092
P.O. Box 280, Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: (334) 567-1140
Fax: (334) 512-0522
Email: probatejudge@elmoreco.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Probate Court does not provide forms and cannot offer legal advice. Individuals needing court forms should visit eforms.alacourt.gov or Alabama Legal Help.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records, land records, and other documents recorded with the Probate Office can be searched through the Elmore County Probate Online Services portal. In-person access is available at the public viewing stations in Room 100 of the historic courthouse. Mail requests should be sent to the Recording Department at the addresses listed above, accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope for document return.
Recording Fees (Selected)
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Recording (1 page) | $4.00 + $6.00 indexing |
| General Recording (over 1 page) | $3.00/page + $6.00 indexing |
| Additional Names (over 2) | $1.00 each |
| Assignment (1 page) | $10.00 |
| Judgment or Lien (1 page) | $9.00 |
| Release — Full (1 page, one mortgage) | $13.00 |
| Release — Partial (1 page) | $10.00 |
| Release — Judgment or Lien (1 page) | $9.00 |
| UCC Financing Statement (first 2 pages) | $25.00 + $2.00 per additional page |
| UCC Continuation / Assignment / Amendment | $25.00 |
| UCC Termination | $5.00 |
| Notary Application with Bond | $21.00 |
| Birth / Death / Medical Certificate (1 page) | $9.00 |
| Copies | $1.00/page |
| Certification of Document | $3.00 each |
| Deed Tax | $1.00 per $1,000 |
| Mortgage Tax | $0.15 per $100 ($1.50 per $1,000) |
All deeds submitted for recording must include a completed Alabama RT-1 form (available from the Probate Office), the preparer’s name and address, and the marital status of all grantors or mortgagors. Documents may also be submitted through approved electronic recording vendors. Residents can sign up for the free Real Estate Activity Alert and Contact Tool (REAACT) notification system to receive alerts when documents are recorded against their name, helping guard against property fraud. Questions about recording requirements or fee calculations can be directed to (334) 567-1140, Ext. 5084.