Jefferson County Court Records Search
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Jefferson County is the most populous county in Alabama, encompassing Birmingham and more than 30 other municipalities. Its court system operates under the Tenth Judicial Circuit and is divided into two geographic divisions — the Birmingham Division and the Bessemer Division — each with its own courthouse, clerks, and court staff. The county maintains Circuit Courts for felony, civil, and domestic relations cases, District Courts for misdemeanors and small claims, a Family Court handling juvenile and certain domestic matters, a Probate Court managing estates and land records, and more than two dozen Municipal Courts. Court records generated across these tribunals are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in each division, the Family Court Clerk and Registrar, and the Probate Judge’s office.
Individuals seeking Jefferson County court records can use a combination of official online tools and in-person visits to clerk offices throughout the county. AlabamaCourts.us provides statewide judicial information, including court directories, rules, and links to the electronic filing and case access systems. Locally, the Tenth Judicial Circuit’s website offers filing fee schedules, courtroom calendars, and judge rosters for both divisions. The statewide Alacourt Access portal enables online searches of civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic case records across all Alabama trial courts, including Jefferson County. Record seekers may also visit the relevant clerk’s office during business hours or submit written requests by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County provides several pathways for locating court case information, depending on the court and the type of record.
Statewide Online Case Search
Alacourt Access is the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts’ public access portal covering all state trial court records, including those in Jefferson County. Users can search civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic dockets by case number, party name, or attorney name. The system requires registration. Fees may apply for viewing or downloading certain documents.
County-Specific Online Resources
- Adult Civil and Criminal records — The Jefferson County government provides an Adult Civil and Criminal online lookup tool for records held by the Circuit and District Courts.
- Family Court dockets — The Clerk and Registrar page provides contact information for the juvenile docket at (205) 325-5444 and the adult docket at (205) 325-5803.
- Probate and land records — The Landmark Web Official Records Search offers a searchable index of instruments recorded in the Probate Court, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records.
- Jail records — The Sheriff’s Office maintains a County Jail inmate search page.
In-Person Requests
All courthouses accept walk-in records requests on weekdays. Standard hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Circuit and District Clerks, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Probate Court and Family Court. A valid photo ID may be required. Key office locations:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk — Birmingham | 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Room 400, Birmingham, AL 35203 | (205) 325-5355 |
| Circuit Clerk — Bessemer | 1851 2nd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020 | (205) 497-8510 |
| District Court — Birmingham (Criminal Justice Center) | 801 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 | (205) 325-5285 |
| Family Court — Birmingham | 120 2nd Court N., Birmingham, AL 35204 | (205) 325-5491 |
| Family Court — Bessemer | 1801 3rd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020 | (205) 744-3500 |
| Probate Court — Birmingham | 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., #115, Birmingham, AL 35203 | (205) 325-5420 |
| Probate Court — Bessemer | 1801 3rd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020 | (205) 481-4100 |
Service Fees for Record Copies
District Court copy and search fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (1–20 pages) | $5.00 (additional pages $0.50 each) |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Computerized records search | $10.00 |
| Paper records search | $20.00 |
| Archived/microfilmed records search | $25.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Jefferson County?
Court records in Jefferson County are presumptively open to public inspection. Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code grants every Alabama resident the right to inspect and copy public writings maintained by government agencies, including the courts. The Alabama Supreme Court has further addressed the balance between transparency and privacy through the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality, which took effect in recent years and apply to civil court records statewide.
Records generally open to the public include:
- Civil case pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments
- Criminal case docket sheets, indictments, and sentencing records
- Domestic relations filings (subject to certain redactions)
- Probate filings including wills, estate inventories, and guardianship petitions
- Land records and instruments filed with the Probate Court
Records that may be restricted or sealed:
- Juvenile court proceedings, which are confidential under Alabama law
- Adoption records, accessible only to parties and by court order
- Records sealed by court order, which require a written finding of clear and convincing evidence justifying the seal
- Grand jury proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Documents containing sensitive personal information subject to redaction (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors)
Under the Privacy and Confidentiality Rules, court records may not be disclosed to the public if they are sealed, exempted from public access by statute, or otherwise restricted. Any person may petition the court for access to sealed records, and the court must balance the public interest against privacy concerns before ruling. Certain information deemed confidential by statute, including trade secrets, the identity of crime victims in specific cases, and details about child welfare proceedings, is excluded from public disclosure regardless of whether a formal seal has been ordered.
Jefferson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Jefferson County are handled by the Circuit Courts (for felonies) and the District Courts (for misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings). Each division — Birmingham and Bessemer — maintains its own criminal dockets.
Courts with criminal jurisdiction:
- Circuit Courts — Felonies, appeals from District Court, and certain serious misdemeanors. The Birmingham Division Criminal Justice Center is at 801 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203, Phone: (205) 325-5285, Fax: (205) 325-8754 The Bessemer Justice Center is at 1851 2nd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020, Phone: (205) 497-8510
- District Courts — Misdemeanors, violations, preliminary hearings, and small claims. Located at both the Birmingham Criminal Justice Center and the Bessemer Justice Center.
- Municipal Courts — Ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors within city limits. More than 20 Municipal Courts operate across Jefferson County.
Searching criminal records online. The Adult Civil and Criminal platform provides access to criminal court records maintained by the Birmingham Division. The statewide Alacourt Access portal also covers criminal dockets for both divisions. Users can search by defendant name, case number, or charge.
Sheriff’s Office records. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and incident reports. The office accepts criminal justice records requests through its online records request portal, where the public can request mugshots, arrest and release dates, background checks, case reports, body-worn camera footage, and detention documents.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
2200 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr., Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5700
Email: info@jeffcosheriffal.com
Criminal records requests typically require the subject’s full name, date of birth (if known), and a valid ID from the requester. Fees vary depending on the type and volume of records sought. Because criminal records involve sensitive information, requesters should expect identity verification at the point of release.
Jefferson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Jefferson County is distributed between the Circuit Courts and District Courts based on the dollar amount in controversy.
Circuit Courts exercise general civil jurisdiction over cases exceeding $20,000 and have exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters including land title disputes and election contests. Civil cases are heard in both the Birmingham and Bessemer divisions.
District Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters involving up to $20,000, small claims, and unlawful detainer (eviction) cases.
Circuit Court Civil Filing Fees (Birmingham Division)
The Tenth Judicial Circuit’s fee schedule lists the following rates:
| Filing Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| One plaintiff, one defendant — up to $50,000 | $251.00 |
| One plaintiff, one defendant — over $50,000 or unspecified | $351.00 |
| Additional defendant | $10.00 each |
| Additional plaintiff | $100.00 (up to $1,000 max) |
| Jury demand | $100.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 |
| Garnishment | $30.00 |
| Execution | $30.00 |
| Motion for default/summary judgment | $50.00 |
| Appeal to Court of Civil Appeals or Supreme Court | $200.00 |
| Service by Jefferson County Sheriff | $10.00 per document |
District Court Civil Filing Fees:
| Amount in Controversy | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,500 | $61.00 |
| $1,500.01–$3,000 | $135.00 |
| $3,000.01–$6,000 | $224.00 |
| $6,000.01–$20,000 | $256.00 |
| Unlawful detainer | $256.00 |
| Appeal with jury | $360.00 |
| Appeal without jury | $260.00 |
Accessing civil records. The Adult Civil and Criminal online platform and Alacourt Access both provide searchable civil case data. Requesters can also visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Room 400, Birmingham, AL 35203, or call (205) 325-5355. Copies are $5.00 for the first 20 pages, $0.50 per page thereafter, plus $5.00 for certification.
Property and land records. Real property instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded through the Probate Court and searchable via Landmark Web. The Jefferson County government also offers a Citizen Access Portal for viewing parcel data, property addresses, and ownership details.
Jefferson County Family Court Records
Jefferson County operates a dedicated Family Court with locations in both the Birmingham and Bessemer divisions. The Family Court handles juvenile delinquency, dependency, child-in-need-of-supervision (CHINS) cases, and certain domestic matters. Domestic relations cases involving divorce, custody, and support among adults are handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court.
Family Court Locations:
Birmingham Family Court
120 2nd Court N.
Birmingham, AL 35204
Phone: (205) 325-5491
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bessemer Family Court
1801 3rd Ave. N.
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 744-3500
Domestic Relations Division
2124 7th Ave. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5400
Searching Family Court records. The Clerk and Registrar page provides online access to Family Court docket information. The juvenile docket can be reached at (205) 325-5444 and the adult docket at (205) 325-5803 for specific case inquiries. The Family Court is open to accept requests between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Domestic Relations filing fees from the Tenth Judicial Circuit fee schedule include: original complaint ($199.00), modification/rule nisi/enforcement ($302.00), subpoena ($12.00), garnishment ($30.00), and default judgment motion ($50.00). Sheriff service within Jefferson County is $10.00 per document.
Divorce records. Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in the Domestic Relations Division. The Jefferson County Department of Health Vital Records office also provides certified copies of divorce certificates.
Marriage records. The Probate Court issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The Jefferson County Probate Court website provides tools to search marriage licenses and order marriage certificates.
Birth and death records. The Jefferson County Department of Health Vital Records office holds birth certificates dating back to 1908. The search fee is $15.00 for each record type (birth, death, marriage, or divorce), which includes one certified copy or a Certificate of Failure to Find. Additional copies of death certificates are $6.00 each.
JCDH Vital Records Office
1400 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 930-1106
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
A valid government-issued photo ID is required. Requests can also be submitted by mail using the application form available from JCDH, or through the Alabama Department of Public Health for statewide records.
Jefferson County Probate Court Records
The Jefferson County Probate Court operates from two divisions — Birmingham and Bessemer — both under the authority of the elected Probate Judge. The court handles the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, condemnation proceedings, and the recording of land instruments.
Probate Court Locations:
Birmingham Division
716 N. Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5420
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bessemer Division
1801 3rd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 481-4100
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Probate Filing Fees (effective October 15, 2025):
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate of Will | $175.00 |
| Administration | $57.00 |
| Adoption (set for hearing) | $175.00 |
| Appointment of Guardian/Conservator | $175.00 |
| Adult name change (set for hearing, cash only) | $125.00 |
| Minor name change (over counter, cash only) | $27.00 |
| Final/Partial Settlement | $125.00 |
| Summary Distribution / Alabama Small Estates Act | $50.00 |
| Termination of Parental Rights | $175.00 |
| Trust Cases | $198.00 + hearing court cost |
| Sale of Land / Notice of Sale | $175.00 |
| Successor Letters | $56.00 |
| Condemnation | $440.00 |
| Insolvency | $150.00 |
| Notice to Creditors | $95.00 |
| Bond Approval and Recording | $21.00 |
| Inventory (first page) | $14.00 ($3.00 per additional page) |
| Claims | $14.00 |
Service fees: copies are $1.00 each, certification is $3.00 per document, double certification is $6.00, final record copies are $3.00 per page, and updated letters are $3.00 each. Certified/registered mail service is $10.00 per recipient.
Searching probate records. The Probate Court’s Archives page allows online record requests. The Landmark Web official records search tool covers land instruments and other documents recorded through the Probate Court. For case-specific inquiries, contact the probate assistance line at the Birmingham or Bessemer division. Filing fee checks should be paid separately from service fee checks.
Adoption records maintained by the Probate Court are sealed and accessible only to the parties involved or by court order. Guardianship and conservatorship records are generally public but may contain confidential medical evaluations or financial disclosures subject to redaction. Estate files including wills, inventories, and settlement accounts are available for public inspection at the Probate Court clerk’s window during business hours.