Houston County Court Records Search
AlabamaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on AlabamaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Houston County is part of Alabama’s 20th Judicial Circuit and is served by Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts, all based in and around the city of Dothan. The Circuit Clerk’s Office, located inside the Houston County Courthouse at 114 North Oates Street, functions as the primary custodian for trial court records spanning criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and traffic matters. The Houston County Probate Court, housed in the Administrative Building at 462 North Oates Street, maintains probate filings, land records, and marriage certificates. Together, these offices process thousands of filings each year and provide both in-person and electronic access to the public.
Residents and researchers seeking Alabama court records can begin with the official resources maintained by the state judiciary. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts publishes forms, court directories, and procedural information for all sixty-seven counties. For broader case research across the state, AlabamaCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case information. Records can be searched through clerk offices in person, via the state’s on-demand public access portal, through electronic filing systems, or by contacting the relevant court division by telephone or mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Houston County?
There are several ways to locate a case filed in Houston County’s trial courts, depending on whether you need basic docket information or certified copies of documents.
Online through Alacourt Access
The state judiciary operates the Alacourt Access portal, which provides on-demand electronic access to case records maintained by the Houston County Circuit Clerk. Users can search by party name or case number. Pricing is as follows:
- Name or case number search: $9.99 per case detail report
- Each additional case retrieved in the same session: $9.99
- Document images: $5.00 for the first 20 pages, then $0.50 per page
- Case monitoring (email notifications for the life of a case): $20.00
Search results include baseline case data, party information, court proceedings, setting dates, financial history, and a case action report.
In person at the Circuit Clerk’s Office
Visitors may review records during business hours at the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID. The Clerk’s Office does not accept credit cards for copies; payment must be by money order or cash, and an ATM is available in the courthouse lobby.
Houston County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
Mailing: P.O. Drawer 6406, Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4800
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch)
| Division | Phone | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Civil | (334) 677-4859 | 107 |
| Small Claims / District Civil | (334) 677-4868 | 107 |
| Circuit Criminal | (334) 677-4858 | 108 |
| District Criminal | (334) 677-4869 | 109 |
| Traffic | (334) 677-4870 | 109 |
| Domestic Relations / Child Support | (334) 677-4805 | 105 |
| Juvenile | (334) 677-4880 | 105 |
By telephone or mail
Call the division that handles the record type you need (see table above) to confirm availability and fees before mailing a written request. Include the case number or full party names, specify the documents needed, and enclose a money order payable to “Houston County Circuit Clerk”.
E-filing and e-notice registration
Attorneys are required to file electronically through AlaFile. Pro se litigants who wish to receive electronic copies of court orders can also register on AlaFile and then visit the Clerk’s Office with a state-issued photo ID to complete enrollment.
Are Court Records Public in Houston County?
Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state. Court records filed in Houston County’s Circuit, District, and Probate Courts are presumptively open to the public unless a specific statute or court order restricts access.
Public access may be limited or denied in certain situations:
- A records custodian may require the requester to demonstrate a direct and legitimate interest in the document to prevent frivolous or harmful use.
- Disclosure may be withheld if it would compromise public safety, welfare, or the public interest.
- Business records containing trade secrets or confidential commercial information may be shielded.
- Sensitive personnel records with identifying information can be redacted.
- Records connected to pending criminal investigations may be withheld until the investigation concludes.
- Juvenile proceedings carry heightened confidentiality protections under Alabama law.
- Sealed or expunged records are not available to the general public.
Municipalities and court clerks may also impose reasonable restrictions on when and where records are inspected, typically limiting access to regular business hours. Certified copies of public records can be obtained upon payment of the applicable fee, while restricted records generally require a court order or proof of statutory eligibility before they are released.
Houston County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Houston County are divided between the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over felonies and serious offenses, and the District Court, which handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings. The 20th Judicial Circuit is currently served by five Circuit Judges and two District Judges:
Circuit Judges — Hon. M. John Steensland III (Presiding), Hon. Henry “Butch” D. Binford, Hon. R. Todd Derrick, Hon. J. Kevin Moulton, and Hon. Christopher K. Richardson.
District Judges — Hon. Bart M. Boothe (Presiding Juvenile Judge) and Hon. Benjamin H. Lewis.
All judges are located at 114 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36302.
Searching criminal case records
- Online — Use Alacourt Access to search by defendant name or case number. Fees are $9.99 per case detail; document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
- By phone — Contact Circuit Criminal at (334) 677-4858 or District Criminal at (334) 677-4869 to inquire about specific cases.
- In person — Visit Room 108 (Circuit Criminal) or Room 109 (District Criminal) at the courthouse during business hours.
Alabama criminal history background checks
A statewide criminal history record can be obtained through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) by completing the Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). The process requires:
- A completed CHRI application form
- A set of fingerprints and a copy of a current photo ID
- A fee of $25.00 (money order or cashier’s check), plus $5.00 for each additional copy
Mail the completed package to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Criminal Records and Identification Unit — ATTN: Background Checks
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Phone: (866) 740-4762 or (334) 676-7897
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office handles warrant service, inmate custody, and law enforcement across the county. Arrest-related information may be obtained by contacting the office directly.
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 411 N. Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: (334) 677-4882
Sheriff’s Assistant: (334) 677-4888
Houston County Jail: (334) 712-0762
The Sheriff’s Office website at houstoncosoal.gov provides inmate search functionality, citizen connect services, pistol permit applications, and a sex offender registry lookup.
Houston County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Houston County are heard in the Circuit Court (unlimited jurisdiction) and the District Court (limited civil and small claims jurisdiction). Records of these proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.
Types of civil records available
Civil case files typically contain complaints, answers, motions, orders, judgments, and related exhibits. Small claims filings, landlord-tenant disputes, garnishments, and writs of execution are also part of the civil record.
How to search and obtain civil records
- Alacourt Access — The on-demand portal allows name and case number searches at $9.99 per case, with document images at $5.00 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 per page thereafter.
- In person — Visit the Circuit Civil division in Room 107 at the courthouse. Phone: (334) 677-4859 For small claims or District Civil matters, call (334) 677-4868.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at P.O. Drawer 6406, Dothan, AL 36302, with a money order payable to “Houston County Circuit Clerk”.
Property and land records
Real property records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps are maintained by the Houston County Probate Office’s recording division. The county has partnered with Ingenuity, Inc. to offer online access to land records. Searching and viewing documents is free. Downloads cost $1.00 per page, payable by credit or debit card. Users may search by grantor/grantee name, document type, or recording date.
Recording fees at the Probate Office (effective August 1, 2019) are based on a standard $13.00 filing fee structure consisting of an $8.00 clocking fee, a $3.00 preservation fee, and a $2.00 filing fee, with additional per-page charges depending on the document type. Full details are available on the county’s recording and fees page.
Property tax and assessment records
Property owners and researchers can also search assessment and tax records through the county’s property record search tool, maintained by the Houston County Revenue Commissioner’s Office.
Houston County Family Court Records
Houston County does not operate a standalone family court. Domestic relations matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and related proceedings — are handled by the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations division. Juvenile matters fall under the shared jurisdiction of the Circuit and District Courts.
Divorce filings
The Domestic Relations division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office processes all divorce filings. Key fees are:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic Relations Docket Fee (new divorce) | $214.00 |
| Modification, Enforcement, or Counterclaim Seeking to Modify an Order | $317.00 |
| Dispositive Motion | $50.00 |
| Sheriff Service Fee | $20.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 (+ Sheriff fee if applicable) |
| Garnishment | $30.00 (+ Sheriff fee if applicable) |
| Execution | $30.00 (+ Sheriff fee if applicable) |
| Motion for Judgment (default or summary) | $50.00 |
Uncontested divorces require a 30-day waiting period after filing before a judge may sign the decree. Contested divorces are randomly assigned to a judge, and the defendant has 30 days after service to respond. The Clerk’s Office does not accept faxed or emailed filings; all documents must be originals. Court forms are available in the office and at eforms.alacourt.gov.
To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact the Domestic Relations division at (334) 677-4805 for cost information. Payment is by money order or cash only, payable to “Houston County Circuit Clerk”.
Child support and custody
Child support matters are handled in Room 105 at the courthouse, reachable at (334) 677-4805. Petitions for custody may be filed through the Domestic Relations division or, where paternity establishment is involved, through the child support division.
Marriage certificates
Alabama abolished the traditional marriage license in favor of a marriage certificate recorded at the Probate Court. In Houston County, completed marriage certificates — which must be notarized by an Alabama notary — are recorded at the Probate Office. The marriage certificate page on the county’s website provides guidelines and forms. Fees are:
- Recording of a marriage certificate: $80.00
- Recording of a marriage certificate correction: $80.00
- Certified copy of a marriage certificate (by mail): $3.00 per copy
For mail requests, send a written request including both spouses’ full names, a copy of your photo ID, a money order payable to “Judge Patrick H. Davenport”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Judge Patrick H. Davenport
Judge of Probate
P.O. Drawer 6406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 677-4723
Couples may not sign a marriage certificate within 60 days of a final divorce decree. Age guidelines for applicants 18 and older and for those 16–17 years of age are posted on the county website. The Alabama marriage certificate form is available through the Alabama Department of Public Health portal.
Birth and death certificates
The Alabama Department of Public Health — Vital Records division processes requests for birth certificates and death certificates. The search fee is $15.00, which includes one certified copy or a “Certificate of Failure to Find”. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $6.00 each. Payment must be by check or money order payable to “State Board of Health”; cash is not accepted, and fees are nonrefundable. Requests can be mailed to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Birth certificates are confidential for 125 years from the date of birth, and death certificates for 25 years from the date of death. Within those periods, only eligible individuals — the person named, parents, legal guardians, spouses, siblings, children, or authorized legal representatives — may obtain certified copies. Requesters must provide valid identification.
Houston County Probate Court Records
The Houston County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, and related filings. The court is presided over by Probate Judge Patrick H. Davenport.
Houston County Probate Court
Administrative Building: 462 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
Courthouse location: 114 N. Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303
Mailing: P.O. Drawer 6406, Dothan, AL 36302
Probate Court Phone: (334) 677-4701
License Department Phone: (334) 677-4722
General inquiries: (334) 677-4748 or houstonprobate@gmail.com
Hours:
Administrative Building — Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Courthouse — Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Searching probate records
The Probate Court has partnered with Ingenuity, Inc. to provide online access to probate case records and marriage records. Users can look up land records, probate case records, and marriage records through this portal. Creating an account is optional but allows saved downloads to remain accessible for 30 days.
Selected probate filing fees
The court’s fee schedule lists the following commonly requested items:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Authentication of records | $3.00/page + $2.00/certification |
| Bond increase | $10.00 |
| Claims against estate | $13.00 |
| Name change (including certified copies of decree) | $56.00 |
| Summary distribution (petition through order, certified copies) | $55.00 |
| Temporary guardianship (petition, order, certified copies) | $45.00 |
| Subpoena | $10.00 |
| Motions and extra filings | $3.00/page filed |
Fees for full estate administrations, adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, and wills include bundled costs covering the petition, supporting documents, letters, orders, publication, and certified copies. The Probate Court can provide exact cost estimates upon request.
Municipal Courts in Houston County
For minor offenses handled at the municipal level, the following courts operate within the county:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dothan Municipal Court | 115 W. Adams St., Dothan, AL 36302 | (334) 615-4150 |
| Ashford Municipal Court | 525 N. Broadway St., P.O. Box 428, Ashford, AL 36312 | (334) 899-3366 ext. 114 |
| Cottonwood Municipal Court | 1414 Metcalf St., P.O. Box 447, Cottonwood, AL 36320 | (334) 691-2671 ext. 103 |
| Gordon Municipal Court | 692 Tifton Rd., P.O. Box 46, Gordon, AL 36343 | (334) 522-3113 |
| Taylor Municipal Court | 1469 S. County Rd. 59, Taylor, AL 36301 | (334) 677-5079 |
Municipal court records are maintained independently by each municipality. Contact the relevant court directly for record requests, hearing schedules, and fine payments.