Escambia County, Alabama Court Records
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Escambia County sits in the southwestern corner of Alabama, with Brewton as its county seat. The county's court system includes the Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, and several municipal courts. Together, these courts generate records that trace the full life of a legal proceeding — from initial filings and motions through hearings, orders, and final judgments. Attorneys, researchers, journalists, litigants, and members of the public regularly rely on these records for verified information about past and pending legal matters.
Because each court in Alabama maintains its own records separately, finding what you need starts with knowing which court handled the case. AlabamaCourts.us can help identify courts and locate publicly available case information within the state's unified judicial system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Escambia County?
There are two practical ways to search Escambia County court records: online through the state's case access portal, or in person at the relevant clerk's office.
Online Search — Alabama Court Access (Alacourt)
The Alabama Court Access portal is the official statewide platform for searching trial court records. It covers criminal, civil, domestic relations, small claims, and traffic cases from courts across Alabama — including Escambia County — and lets you search by party name or case number.
Fee structure for Alacourt searches:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name or case number search | $9.99 |
| Image lookup (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages beyond 20 | $0.50 per page |
| District case monitoring (case lifetime) | $19.99 |
| Circuit case monitoring (case lifetime) | $29.99 |
In-Person Requests — Circuit Clerk's Office
If you need certified copies, detailed record requests, or cases not yet available online, go to the Escambia County Circuit Clerk's office. You'll need to submit a completed Request for Record Search and/or Copies of Court Records form. The office accepts walk-in requests Monday through Friday during regular hours.
Escambia County Circuit Clerk (John R. Fountain)
Address: 314 Belleville Avenue, Room 214, P.O. Box 856, Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 867-0305
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
You can also mail requests to the address above. Include the case number and the names of the parties involved to help the clerk locate the right record.
Are Court Records Public in Escambia County?
Alabama's Open Records Law, Sections 36-12-40 and 36-12-41 of the Code of Alabama 1975, gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state. Court records fall squarely within that definition, and the law expressly recognizes that judicial records are public. Custodians must respond to requests promptly, and copying fees may apply.
That said, certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure in Escambia County — either by statute or court order:
- Juvenile court records — Protected under Alabama law; identifying information about minors in delinquency and dependency proceedings is not publicly accessible.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and unavailable without a court order.
- Domestic violence case records — Withheld to protect victims' safety and privacy.
- Expunged or sealed criminal records — Records removed from public view by court order are no longer accessible through routine searches.
- Unexecuted criminal warrants — Cannot be disclosed, as release could compromise ongoing law enforcement efforts.
- Records related to ongoing investigations — Withheld when disclosure would interfere with active law enforcement activity.
- Nolle-pressed charges — Records of charges formally dropped by prosecutors are generally restricted.
- Financial information in civil cases — Certain personal financial details of parties in civil matters may be protected from broad public disclosure.
If a request is denied, the requestor may seek further review from the relevant court or consult an attorney about their rights under Alabama's open records framework.
Escambia County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court depending on the severity of the offense.
Circuit Court — Felony Cases
The Escambia County Circuit Court, part of the 21st Judicial Circuit, handles all felony prosecutions in the county. It also hears misdemeanor appeals from the District Court. Criminal case files — including indictments, charging documents, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment entries — are maintained by Circuit Clerk John R. Fountain.
Escambia County Circuit Court
Address: 314 Belleville Avenue, P.O. Box 856, Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 867-0225
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
District Court — Misdemeanors and Traffic
The Escambia County District Court shares the courthouse with the Circuit Court and handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. District Court criminal records are also maintained through the Circuit Clerk's office.
Municipal Courts
Three municipal courts operate within Escambia County for city ordinance violations and local misdemeanor matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Atmore Municipal Court | 201 E. Louisville Avenue, P.O. Box 1297, Atmore, AL 36504 | (251) 368-3593 |
| Brewton Municipal Court | 1010 Douglas Avenue, P.O. Box 368, Brewton, AL 36427 | (251) 809-1760 |
| East Brewton Municipal Court | 615 Forrest Avenue, P.O. Box 2010, East Brewton, AL 36427 | (251) 867-4091 |
Arrest Records and Criminal History
Court records and arrest records are separate. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office publishes a public inmate roster on its website, updated with current booking information. The Sheriff's administrative office is reachable at (251) 809-0741, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) administers the Alabama Background Check program. ALEA can be reached at (866) 740-4762 or (334) 676-7897. If you want to review or challenge your own criminal history record, submit a request with a $25.00 administrative fee (money order or cashier's check payable to ALEA) using the ALEA CJIS Form 46.
Escambia County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Escambia County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the dollar amount of the claim.
Circuit Civil Division
The Circuit Civil division handles higher-value civil cases, along with appeals from District Court, administrative agency appeals, workers' compensation claims, and appeals from Probate Court. To request copies of Circuit Court civil records, contact the Circuit Clerk at (251) 867-0305 or submit a written request to Room 214 at the courthouse.
District Civil Division
The District Civil Court in Escambia County handles civil claims valued from $6,000.01 through $20,000.00. You can reach this division directly at (251) 867-0305 ext. 227. Small claims actions involving amounts up to $6,000 also fall within the District Court's jurisdiction.
Searching Civil Records Online
Civil case records can be searched through the Alabama Court Access portal by party name or case number. Court forms for civil filings are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts at alacourt.gov and through the statewide e-forms portal at eforms.alacourt.gov.
Escambia County Family Court Records
Domestic relations matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders — are handled by the Circuit Court's Domestic Relations division. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains these records.
Divorce Proceedings
Divorces in Escambia County are filed with the Circuit Clerk. The base filing fee is $222.00, which covers case number assignment and circuit judge assignment. Additional fees apply depending on how the case progresses:
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service fee (personal service or certified mail) | $30.00 or certified mail cost |
| Motion for judgment or default judgment | $50.00 |
| Income withholding order | $28.00 + service fee |
| Subpoena fee | $12.00 + service fee |
| Modify/Enforce (contempt) action | $325.00 + service fee |
The Circuit Clerk provides a divorce information packet listing the required forms and procedural steps. Key forms include the Complaint (PS-08 for cases without children), the Domestic Relations Information Sheet (CS-47), the Answer & Waiver Affidavit, Testimony of Plaintiff (PS-09), and the Certificate of Divorce. The Certificate of Divorce form is available at eforms.alacourt.gov. Self-represented litigants can also find forms and guidance at AlabamaLegalHelp.org.
The Domestic Relations Division is located at Room 214 of the Escambia County Courthouse.
Contact:
Domestic Relations Division
314 Belleville Avenue / P.O. Box 856, Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 867-0305 ext. 285
Divorce Records for Certified Copies
Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Clerk's office. You can also request divorce records from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) by submitting a completed vital records request form (HS-14) with a $15.00 fee.
Protection From Abuse Orders
Victims of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment may petition the Circuit Court for a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order at no upfront cost. File PFA petitions in person at Room 214 of the courthouse. Three forms are required: the filer information form, the Petition for Protection from Abuse, and the Ex Parte Protection Order form. The clerk's office keeps victims' addresses and phone numbers confidential. Alabama's 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline is available at (800) 650-6522.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained by the Escambia County Probate Office. When making a request, have the full names of both spouses before marriage, the marriage date, and the location of the marriage ready. Contact the Probate Office in Brewton at (251) 867-0301 or the Atmore location at (251) 368-5371. Marriage records from 1908 onward can also be requested through the ADPH vital records office using the HS-14 application form. The fee is $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Escambia County are maintained by the Escambia County Health Department, with records on file from 1908 to the present. Under Alabama law, birth records are restricted for 125 years and death records for 25 years. During the restricted period, only immediate family members and those with demonstrated just cause may obtain copies.
Fees: $15.00 for the first certified copy; $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Escambia County Health Department — Atmore Branch
Address: 8600 Highway 31 North, Atmore, AL 36502
Phone: (251) 368-9188 | Fax: (251) 368-9189
Escambia County Health Department — Brewton Branch
Address: 1115 Azalea Place, Brewton, AL 36426
Phone: (251) 867-5765 | Fax: (251) 867-5179
Requests require a completed vital record application (HS-14) submitted in person along with valid identification.
Escambia County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Escambia County fall under the jurisdiction of the Escambia County Probate Court. The Probate Judge maintains records related to estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and real property instruments. The court operates from two locations to serve the county's geographic spread.
Escambia County Probate Court — Brewton (Main Office)
Address: 314 Belleville Avenue, Suite 205, Brewton, AL 36426
Mailing: P.O. Box 557, Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 867-0301
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Escambia County Probate Court — Atmore Office
Address: 8600 Highway 31, Atmore, AL 36502
Phone: (251) 368-5371
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Online Probate Records
The Escambia County Probate online services portal, operated through Ingenuity, Inc. in partnership with the Probate Judge's office, gives the public online access to probate case records and land records. You can search probate case records, look up marriage records, and access land record accounts through this platform.
What Probate Records Are Available
The Probate Court maintains records for the following proceedings:
- Wills submitted for probate and letters testamentary
- Intestate administration (estates without a will)
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
- Trust filings and related accountings
- Real property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, and deeds of trust
- Marriage licenses and certificates
- Name changes and legitimation proceedings
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Escambia County include a base fee of approximately $105.00 for probating a will or administering an intestate estate, plus recording fees typically assessed at $3.00–$4.00 per page. Publication costs vary. For questions about specific fees or to start an estate matter, contact the Probate Chief Clerk at the Brewton office. The Escambia County government website also provides general guidance on the probate process, including information on small estates and guardianship matters.