Lee County Court Records
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Lee County sits in eastern Alabama, with Opelika as the county seat and the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area as its population center. The county's judicial system operates through the Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit, which handles criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases from the T.K. Davis Justice Center. Probate matters are handled separately through the Lee County Probate Judge's Office, with locations in Opelika, Auburn, and Smiths Station. Municipal courts in Opelika, Auburn, and Phenix City round out the local judiciary. Whether you need to track a pending lawsuit, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, look up a criminal case disposition, or retrieve probate estate documents, this guide covers the specific offices, procedures, fees, and tools available for accessing court records throughout Lee County.
Alabama court records can be found through clerk offices at the courthouse, online portals maintained by the state judiciary, and direct written requests. The Lee County Circuit Clerk's website has office contact information, downloadable forms, and fee schedules. For broader statewide court information, AlabamaCourts.us can help you identify court locations, understand filing procedures, and find links to publicly accessible case data across Alabama's trial and appellate courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lee County?
Lee County's trial courts are organized into divisions that handle distinct categories of cases. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains criminal, civil, domestic relations, and traffic records at both the circuit and district levels. The Probate Judge's office keeps probate, guardianship, and adoption files separately.
Court Locations
| Court/Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit Court (Circuit Clerk) | T.K. Davis Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 | (334) 737-3526 |
| Lee County Probate Court | 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 | (334) 737-3670 |
| Probate Court Auburn Satellite | 1266 Mall Parkway, Auburn, AL 36830 | (334) 737-7297 |
| Probate Court Smiths Station Satellite | 2336 Lee Road 430, Smiths Station, AL 36877 | (334) 448-3299 |
| Opelika Municipal Court | 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, AL 36801 | (334) 705-5190 |
| Auburn Municipal Court | 141 N. Ross Street, Auburn, AL 36830 | (334) 501-3180 |
| Phenix City Municipal Court | 1111 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Phenix City, AL 36867 | (334) 448-2780 |
The Circuit Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Probate Court operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Passports are processed at the Circuit Clerk's office Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (walk-ins only).
Online Case Search — Alacourt Access
The main electronic tool for searching Lee County court records is the Alacourt Access portal (also called Just One Look). This statewide system covers civil, criminal, domestic relations, child support, traffic, and small claims records across all Alabama trial courts. Here's how to use it:
- Visit the Alacourt Access website and create an account using your email address.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Search by party name or case number.
- Review docket information, case events, and party details in the results.
Searches cost $9.99. Viewing document images costs $5.00 for the first 20 pages, with additional pages at $0.50 each. Case monitoring — which delivers automatic updates on case activity — costs $19.99 for district-level cases and $29.99 for circuit-level cases.
Appellate Court Records
If a case has been appealed, the Alabama Appellate Courts Public Portal provides free access to appellate docket information, including searches by party name or case number.
In-Person Searches
Visitors to the T.K. Davis Justice Center can request records at the Circuit Clerk's counter during business hours. Bring the case number or the full name of a party to speed up the search. Fees must be paid before copies are released.
Mail Requests
The Circuit Clerk accepts mail requests using the Request for Copies and/or Searches of Court Records form. Submit the completed form along with the appropriate fee by money order (the clerk does not accept credit cards or personal checks for mail requests) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Circuit Clerk, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801. Allow at least seven working days for processing.
Copy Fees (Mail and In-Person)
- 1 to 20 pages: $25.00
- Each additional page beyond 20: $0.50
- Certified copies: $5.00 additional per document
Are Court Records Public in Lee County?
Alabama's open records framework is rooted in the Alabama Open Records Law (Code of Alabama 36-12-40), which gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by government entities, including courts. In Lee County, most case files held by the Circuit Clerk and the Probate Judge are generally available for public inspection during business hours.
Records That Are Generally Public
- Criminal complaints, indictments, pleas, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and judgments
- Divorce decrees and domestic relations filings (with certain redactions)
- Probate petitions, wills admitted to probate, estate inventories, and court orders
- Traffic citations and dispositions
- Small claims filings and judgments
Records That Are Confidential or Restricted
Alabama law and court rules exclude certain categories from public access:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Mental health and psychological evaluation records
- Personal information of minors and assault victims
- Jurors' and witnesses' personal identifying details
- Financial information such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers
- Expunged records (sealed by court order under Alabama Code Title 15, Chapter 27)
The Circuit Clerk's office will redact protected information before releasing copies. Expunged records are also removed from public databases, including the Alacourt Access portal.
Expungement
Effective July 1, 2021, Alabama's expungement laws were updated under Code of Alabama 15-27. Eligible individuals may petition the circuit court to seal certain criminal records. The filing fee for an expungement petition in Lee County is $500.00. The Expungement of Records petition form is available on the Circuit Clerk's website.
Lee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lee County move through two divisions of the Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit, depending on the severity of the offense.
Jurisdictional Structure
The Circuit Criminal Division handles felony prosecutions — offenses that carry potential imprisonment in the state penitentiary. The District Criminal Division covers misdemeanor cases, lesser felonies within its statutory jurisdiction, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. Both divisions operate from the T.K. Davis Justice Center.
Division Contact Numbers
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Circuit Criminal | (334) 737-3547 |
| District Criminal | (334) 737-4501 |
| Criminal Front Counter | (334) 737-3518 |
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case records can be searched through three methods:
- Online via Alacourt Access: Search by defendant name or case number for $9.99. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
- In person: Visit the Criminal Division counter at the Justice Center during business hours with a name or case number.
- By mail: Submit the Request for Copies form with fees by money order.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information. The office is located at:
Lee County Sheriff's Office
1900 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 749-5651
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You can submit records requests to the Sheriff's Office using its public records request form. Keep in mind that arrest records maintained by the Sheriff are separate from the court case files held by the Circuit Clerk.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For formal criminal background reports, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation runs the Criminal Records Identification Unit. Individuals may request their own Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) by completing the ALEA Application to Review CHRI form and submitting it with a fingerprint card, a copy of valid identification, and a $25.00 fee (money order or cashier's check) to: State Bureau of Investigation, 301 S. Ripley Street, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36104. Phone: (334) 676-7894
Qualifying employers may subscribe to the Alabama Background Check System for $95.00 per year, with individual checks costing $15.00 each.
Lee County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Lee County is split between Circuit Civil and District Civil divisions based on the dollar amount in controversy.
Jurisdictional Thresholds
The Circuit Civil Division has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $10,000 and concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for matters between $3,000 and $10,000. The District Civil Division handles cases at the district level, including evictions and unlawful detainers. Small claims cases — those involving $6,000 or less — are filed through the District Civil Division.
Division Contact Numbers
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Circuit Civil | (334) 737-3513 |
| District Civil / Evictions | (334) 737-3532 |
| Small Claims / Records Requests | (334) 737-3515 |
Civil Filing Fees
The Circuit Clerk's civil fee sheet lists the following filing costs:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims ($1,500 or less) | $102.00 ($122.00 with Lee County Sheriff service) |
| Small Claims ($1,501–$3,000) | $176.00 ($196.00 with Sheriff service) |
| Small Claims ($3,001–$6,000) | $265.00 ($285.00 with Sheriff service) |
| District Civil ($6,001–$20,000) | $350.00 ($370.00 with Sheriff service) |
| Unlawful Detainers (Evictions) | $350.00 ($370.00 with Sheriff service) |
| Circuit Civil ($20,001–$50,000) | $349.00 ($369.00 with Sheriff service) |
| Circuit Civil ($50,001 and above) | $449.00 ($469.00 with Sheriff service) |
| Circuit Civil Jury Demand | $100.00 |
| Civil Subpoenas | $12.00 |
| Attachment / Garnishment / Execution | $30.00 |
| Motion for Default Judgment | $50.00 |
Service by Sheriff inside Lee County adds $20.00 per person; service by Sheriff outside the county carries no additional fee.
Obtaining Civil Case Records
Civil records can be retrieved through the same channels available for all Circuit Clerk records: online through Alacourt Access ($9.99 per search), by mail using the Request for Copies form ($25.00 for up to 20 pages), or in person at the Justice Center during business hours. The Circuit Clerk accepts cash or money orders for in-person and mail requests — credit cards and personal checks are not accepted for mail requests.
Electronic Filing
Attorneys and registered pro se litigants can file civil documents electronically through AlaFile, the state judiciary's electronic filing system. Pro se parties must complete the registration process online, then bring the printed form and a state-issued photo ID to the Clerk's office for verification. Once registered, parties receive electronic notices of orders entered in their cases.
Lee County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Lee County go through the Domestic Relations Division of the Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all domestic relations case files.
Case Types
The Domestic Relations Division processes divorce complaints, annulments, custody and visitation disputes, child support establishment and modification, protection from abuse (PFA) orders, and related post-judgment motions.
Division Contact Numbers
| Staff Function | Phone |
|---|---|
| Divorce / Child Support / PFAs | (334) 737-3509 |
| Child Support | (334) 737-3514 |
Filing Fees for Family Matters
- Domestic Relations (initial filing): $297.00 ($317.00 with Lee County Sheriff service)
- Domestic Relations (modification): $400.00 ($420.00 with Sheriff service)
- Child Support: $197.00 ($217.00 with Sheriff service)
- Child Support Subpoenas: $8.00
Obtaining Family Court Records
Family court records can be retrieved through the same channels as other Circuit Clerk records. The Alacourt Access portal includes domestic relations and child support case records, searchable by name or case number. In-person requests at the Justice Center counter and mail requests using the Request for Copies form are also available. Most domestic relations records are generally public, with the exception of adoption files and records specifically sealed by court order.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Lee County are issued by the Lee County Probate Judge's Office — not the Circuit Clerk. Alabama law changed in August 2019: couples no longer appear before a judge but instead complete a marriage certificate form obtained from the Probate Judge's Office. Both parties sign the form, and the officiant or couple returns the completed certificate to the Probate Judge within 30 days of the ceremony.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Probate Judge's Office at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Phone: (334) 737-3670 The same records are available through the Auburn satellite office at (334) 737-7297 or the Smiths Station satellite at (334) 448-3299. Marriage records are also available statewide from the Alabama Vital Records Office.
Divorce Records
Divorce records can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk's Domestic Relations Division at the T.K. Davis Justice Center, either in person or by mail. Copies cost $25.00 for the first 20 pages, with additional pages at $0.50 each, and certified copies carry a $5.00 per-document fee. Divorce records are also available statewide through the Alabama Vital Records Office.
Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates are not held by the courts in Alabama. These records are maintained by the Alabama Vital Records Office, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Phone: (334) 206-5418 Certified copies cost $15.00 each and can be ordered by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek.
Lee County Probate Court Records
Lee County probate matters are handled by the Lee County Probate Judge's Office, which operates three locations across the county. The Probate Court is separate from the Circuit Court and handles a different set of matters.
Probate Court Contact Information
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Office (Opelika) | 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 | (334) 737-3670 |
| Auburn Satellite Office | 1266 Mall Parkway, Auburn, AL 36830 | (334) 737-7297 |
| Smiths Station Satellite Office | 2336 Lee Road 430, Smiths Station, AL 36877 | (334) 448-3299 |
Probate Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Types of Probate Records
The Probate Judge's Office handles estate administration, probate of wills, intestate estates, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults, commitment proceedings, adoption proceedings, and real property records including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
Searching Probate Records
Probate records can be searched through the Alacourt Access portal, though the level of electronic indexing for older probate files may vary. For the most thorough search, an in-person visit to the Opelika main office or one of the satellite offices is often the most reliable approach. Bring the decedent's full name, an approximate date of death, or a case number if available.
Property records recorded with the Probate Judge — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — may also be searchable through the Lee County online property records search.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Alabama are set by state statute. Contact the Probate Judge's Office directly at (334) 737-3670 for current fee amounts applicable to specific filing types, including petitions for letters testamentary, letters of administration, guardianship applications, and will contests.
Wills Filed for Safekeeping
Alabama law permits individuals to file original wills with the Probate Judge for safekeeping during their lifetime. A will filed for safekeeping is sealed and not publicly accessible until after the testator's death, at which time the will must be filed for probate or delivered to the appropriate parties.