Lawrence County Court Records Search
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Lawrence County, Alabama sits within the Thirty-Sixth Judicial Circuit and is home to a court system that spans Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal courts. Court records generated within this system document every stage of a legal matter—from the initial filing through to final judgment—and may include petitions, motions, docket sheets, sworn statements, exhibits, transcripts, and orders. The Circuit Clerk, District Clerk, and Probate Clerk each serve as designated custodians of records in their respective divisions, consistent with Rule 4 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. Understanding which office holds which records, and how to access them, is the first step in any successful records search.
Residents looking for Lawrence County court case information have several avenues available to them. The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains a statewide online portal where trial court records—including civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic matters—can be searched on demand. The portal’s “Just One Look” service charges $9.99 per name or case number search, with document images available at $5.00 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 per page thereafter. In-person searches can be conducted at the Lawrence County Judicial and Administrative Center in Moulton, and written requests to individual court clerks remain an option for those who prefer mail correspondence. AlaCourts.us can also help orient users toward publicly available Alabama case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lawrence County?
The primary hub for most Lawrence County court case searches is the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office, which maintains records for both the Circuit Court and District Court. The office is located at the Lawrence County Judicial and Administrative Center and can be reached directly by phone during business hours.
Circuit Clerk Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Sandra Parker Ligon |
| Address | 14451 Market St., Suite 300, Moulton, AL 35650 |
| Phone | (256) 974-2432 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) |
| sandra.ligon@alacourt.gov |
To search for a case, requesters can use the following methods:
- Online via AlacourtAccess.com: The public access portal provides on-demand access to all state trial court records, including Lawrence County civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic dockets. Name searches and case number searches each carry a $9.99 fee; document images are $5.00 for up to 20 pages.
- In Person: Visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office at the Judicial and Administrative Center during business hours. Bring the party’s full name or case number to expedite the search.
- By Phone: Call (256) 974-2432 for general inquiries. Staff cannot give legal advice but can direct inquirers to the appropriate division.
- By Mail: Written requests may be submitted to the Clerk’s Office address above. Include the case number or party name, your return address, and payment for any applicable copy fees.
For Probate Court records—including estate filings, guardianships, and land records—users can access the Lawrence County Probate online portal, which allows searches of both probate case records and land records without an in-person visit.
Lawrence County also has several Municipal Courts handling local ordinance violations and minor traffic matters. Key municipal court locations are listed below:
- Moulton Municipal Court: 720 Seminary St., Moulton, AL 35650 — (256) 974-1074 / Fax: (256) 974-3218
- Courtland Municipal Court: 361 College St., P.O. Box 160, Courtland, AL 35618 — (256) 637-2707
- Town Creek Municipal Court: 1600 Main St., P.O. Box 190, Town Creek, AL 35672 — (256) 685-3344
- Hillsboro Municipal Court: 11355 Main St., Hillsboro, AL 35643 — (256) 637-9096
- North Courtland Municipal Court: 1181 Davis St., P.O. Box 93, North Courtland, AL 35618 — (256) 637-6378
Are Court Records Public in Lawrence County?
Most court records in Lawrence County are public documents under Alabama law. Section 36-12-40 of the Code of Alabama guarantees every citizen the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state, subject to exceptions expressly provided by statute. This right encompasses a broad range of court-generated documents, including docket sheets, filed pleadings, judgments, and orders.
That said, specific categories of records are withheld from public access under Alabama law:
- Juvenile records: Proceedings involving minors are generally confidential and not accessible to the general public.
- Adoption files: Adoption proceedings are sealed and require a court order to access.
- Expunged criminal records: Records that have been expunged under Alabama law are removed from public view.
- Sealed records: Any record sealed by specific court order or administrative rule is not publicly available.
- Certain guardianship and divorce materials: Portions of these files that contain sensitive personal information may be redacted or restricted.
When in doubt about whether a specific record is available, contact the relevant clerk’s office directly. Staff can confirm what is publicly accessible, though they cannot provide legal advice on how to use or interpret records. The Alabama Judicial System website also provides guidance on record confidentiality rules.
Lawrence County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lawrence County are handled at two levels. The District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses and conducts preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions. Felony cases that proceed to trial are transferred to the Circuit Court. Both courts are administered through the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 14451 Market St., Suite 300, Moulton.
Criminal dockets—including charges, court dates, dispositions, and sentences—can be searched through the AlacourtAccess public portal, which is indexed by county and case type. Certified copies of criminal case documents can be obtained by submitting a written request to the Circuit Clerk’s Office with payment for copying fees.
Arrest records originate with local law enforcement and are maintained separately from the court docket. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 242 Parker Road, Moulton, AL 35650 |
| Office Phone | (256) 974-2500 |
| Jail Phone | (256) 974-2550 |
For statewide criminal history information, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) maintains the official repository of criminal history record information (CHRI). Individuals seeking their own records for background check purposes must:
- Complete the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information.
- Submit fingerprints and a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Pay the $25.00 administrative fee via cashier’s check or money order.
- Mail or deliver the package to ALEA’s Criminal Records Unit.
Employers and businesses requiring background checks on prospective employees may use ALEA’s Alabama Background Check System (ABC), which operates on a subscription basis with per-search fees.
Lawrence County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Lawrence County are divided by dollar amount between the District Court and the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims exceeding $20,000, while the District Court and its Small Claims division handle lower-value matters.
Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $20,000.01 – $50,000 | $285.00 |
| $50,000.01 and over (or unspecified) | $385.00 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $233.00 |
| Jury Demand | $100.00 |
| Additional Defendant (served by sheriff) | $15.00 per defendant |
| Subpoena | $17.00 |
| Garnishment | $35.00 |
| Writ of Possession | $35.00 |
| Motion for Judgment / Default / Summary Judgment | $50.00 |
Personal checks are not accepted. Payments should be made by money order, cashier’s check, or other accepted forms.
Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court and is designed for individuals, partnerships, and corporations seeking to resolve disputes without the complexity of full civil litigation. Filing fees are scaled by the amount of the claim:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,500.00 | $56.00 |
| $1,500.01 – $3,000.00 | $130.00 |
| $3,000.01 – $6,000.00 | $219.00 |
| Additional Defendant | $15.00 each |
| Garnishment | $35.00 |
Plaintiffs begin by filing a Statement of Claim (Complaint) form at the Clerk’s Office. After filing, the case is processed and forwarded to the Sheriff for service on the defendant. Once served, the defendant has 14 days to file an Answer. If the defendant fails to respond, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment using the Application, Affidavit and Entry of Default Judgment form. All Small Claims forms are also available at eforms.alacourt.gov. Judgments may be appealed to the Circuit Court within 14 days; appeal fees are $220.50 (non-jury) or $320.50 (jury).
Lawrence County Family Court Records
Domestic relations matters—including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and enforcement of court orders—are handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court. This division is administered through the same Circuit Clerk’s Office (14451 Market St., Suite 300, Moulton, AL 35650; Phone: (256) 974-2432).
Domestic Relations Filing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Domestic Relations Docket Fee | $233.00 |
| Modify/Enforce (Contempt) | $336.00 |
| Subpoena | $17.00 |
| Garnishment | $35.00 |
| Income Withholding Order | $35.00 |
| Withholding Termination | $28.00 |
| Motion for Judgment / Default / Summary Judgment | $50.00 |
Once an uncontested divorce is filed, Alabama law imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period before a judge may sign the decree. Contested divorces are randomly assigned to a judge and set for trial. The Clerk’s Office does not provide fill-in-the-blank forms for many required pleadings, and parties are strongly encouraged to retain an attorney. An Uncontested Divorce Packet is available through the Alabama courts e-forms system. Required child support forms—including the Child Support Obligation Income Statement and Child Support Guidelines—must be filed whenever a child support order is entered.
Marriage Records: Marriage certificates issued since August 1936 are maintained by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Records predating August 1936 are held by the Lawrence County Probate Court. Copies can be requested in person at the Probate Court, by mail to Alabama Vital Records, or online through VitalChek. The fee for a certified marriage certificate is $15.00.
Divorce Records: Divorce records from 1950 onward are available through the Alabama Department of Public Health. For divorces finalized before 1950, contact the Circuit Court directly. The same $15.00 fee applies.
Birth and Death Records: Pursuant to AL Code § 22-9A-22, birth records are restricted for 125 years and death records for 25 years following the event, after which they become public. During restricted periods, access is limited to the named individual (for birth certificates), immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a demonstrable legal interest. Certified copies of both birth and death certificates cost $15.00 per record and can be ordered through the Alabama Department of Public Health Vital Records office online, by mail to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery, or in person at the local health department. Phone orders can be placed through VitalChek toll-free at (888) 279-9888.
Lawrence County Probate Court Records
The Lawrence County Probate Court administers matters involving estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, name changes, and involuntary mental commitments. The Probate Judge’s Office is housed at the Lawrence County Judicial and Administrative Center.
Probate Court Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 14451 Market St., Moulton, AL 35650 |
| Phone | (256) 974-2439 |
| Probate Online Portal | (256) 974-2495 |
The Probate Judge’s Office also manages property records for the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These records are public and document the chain of title and encumbrances on real property within Lawrence County.
Public access to non-confidential Probate Court records is available through several channels:
- Online: The Lawrence County Probate online services portal at INGProbate.com allows users to search both land records and probate case records remotely. This system is provided through a partnership between the Lawrence County Commission, the Probate Judge’s Office, and Ingenuity, Inc.
- In Person: Visit the Probate Court Clerk’s Office at 14451 Market St., Moulton, AL 35650, during normal business hours to review records or request certified copies.
- By Mail or Phone: Contact the Probate office at (256) 974-2495 for assistance with specific record requests or questions about the online portal.
Probate proceedings involving mental illness commitments and certain guardianship files may contain restricted information. Adoption records filed through Probate Court are sealed under Alabama law and are not available to the public without a court order. A current Probate Fee Sheet for 2025 is available directly from the Lawrence County Commission’s Probate Judge page, which also includes downloadable forms such as business license applications and bills of sale relevant to the office’s administrative functions.
For those researching genealogical records, the Lawrence County Genealogical Society maintains historical indexes and can provide copies of marriage and deed records. The cost for genealogical marriage copies is $10.00 per record; deed and probate database copies require the applicable book and page number and carry a per-copy fee as well. Historical probate indexes and land records are also searchable through the statewide court access portal and through the online probate system noted above.