Alabama Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Alabama divorce records consist of government-generated information regarding divorce events within the state. These records may contain divorce-related information, such as the names of the parties involved, the reasons for the divorce, and the financial arrangements made. Divorce records in Alabama play a crucial role in legal matters and personal research. For instance, they serve as legal proof of marriage dissolution and are often required when applying for new marriage licenses. Interested parties might use these records for genealogy research.

Divorce in Alabama: In 2025, Alabama documented a divorce rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.4.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Alabama

In Alabama, divorce records are available in the following formats:

Divorce certificate: A divorce certificate is official proof that a divorce event occurred. The document mostly contains non-confidential divorce details such as the case party's name and divorce date. That being said, the Alabama Department of Public Health is the official custodian of divorce certificates and may issue them to all interested parties.

Divorce decrees: Divorce decrees are court orders regarding the outcome of a divorce case proceeding. Such documents might also include information on the division of assets and child custody agreements. Alabama divorce decrees are under the purview of the circuit court that handled the case.

Divorce case files: These are court documents regarding divorce cases. Such records are under the purview of the circuit court that handled the case. The court clerk may restrict confidential court information from the general public.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Alabama Department of Public Health	Proof of legal divorce	Names, date, county, case number
Divorce Decree/Judgment	Circuit Court	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, custody agreements, and property division
Divorce case files	Circuit Court	Divorce case information	Case summaries, case numbers, case party names, and attorney names.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Alabama Divorce Records

Divorce records in Alabama are mostly regarded as public documents. This means the general public may view or obtain the records by using resources provided by official record custodians.

Inquirers are typically required to provide relevant search data to obtain these records. For example, the Alabama Public Health Department requires the case party names and divorce date to locate divorce certificates in their custody.

Nevertheless, record custodians may redact specific information from public access. Exempted divorce information may include the following:

• Information on minors who were victims of an alleged crime.
• Personal-identifying numbers, such as social security numbers and bank accounts.
• Information protected under attorney-client privilege.

The state may disclose confidential divorce information to the record subject and their legal representatives. Court officials may also have access to the records.

The Alabama Public Health Department is the state-level custodian of divorce information. Persons seeking to obtain the record may visit the agency at:

What Information Do Alabama Divorce Records Include?

Alabama divorce records typically include the following data:

• Case party's personal information, including names and residence.
• Divorce date and location.
• Case information, including case number, court order, and custody agreement.

Section §36-12-40 of the Alabama Code allows unrestricted public access to most divorce information. The state statutes, however, restrict access to confidential divorce information, such as personal information on minors in the dissolved union. Accessible divorce information may vary based on the document format. Divorce decrees and case files contain comprehensive information, while divorce certificates provide basic details.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Alabama

In Alabama, public members may locate divorce records through these main avenues:

• Online via the Alabama Judicial website and county-level search repositories.
• In-person or mail-in requests to the Alabama Public Health or circuit court clerks' offices.

Online search repositories often allow free viewing of divorce information. In contrast, inquirers may pay search or copy fees to obtain divorce records via mail or in person.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Alabama Public Health Department	1950-present	Certificates only	$15.
Judiciary Portal	Alabama Judicial website and circuit clerk's online repositories	Varies	Case search	Free or per-page fee
County Clerks	Local Superior/Circuit Courts	All years	Certified decrees	Varies
State Archives / Library	Historical Records	Not specified	Manual search	Minimal copy fees

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Alabama

In Alabama, a certified divorce record is authenticated by the state's Department of Public Health or a circuit court. Such documents bear the seal and signature of the agency or court. With that being said, you may obtain a certified divorce record in Alabama by using these steps:

Step 1. Identify the court where the divorce was finalized.

The Alabama Department of Public Health and circuit courts are the official custodians of certified divorce records. The former provides state-level access to certified divorce certificates. However, the latter only issues information on certified divorce decrees and cases handled within a county.

Step 2. Contact the clerk's office.

Each record custodian offers one or more options via which the public can access records. These options may include online searchable databases, in-person access, or mail-in requests. You may find a majority of this data on the court's online website.

For example, the Calhoun County circuit court accepts mail-in and in-person requests for divorce court documents. Inquirers using the mail request option must submit a written request via mail to the circuit court's address. In-person requests require the record seeker to visit the court's physical address during business hours. Inquirers are also required to pay fees to access physical copies of court documents.

Step 3. Provide the necessary details.

To access certified divorce records, inquirers are typically required to provide one or more of these details:

• Court case identifiers like case number, party names, and divorce year.
• Your name and contact information.
• Government-issued identification is required when requesting confidential copies.

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Record custodians in Alabama may charge fees before disclosing certified divorce records. The costs may vary based on the record custodian or document format.

Case in point: The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a certified copy of a divorce certificate, while each additional copy costs $6. Note that record custodians may accept only money orders or checks for mail-based requests.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	Alabama Department of Public Health	All public members	Proof for remarriage, name change
Certified Decree	County Clerk / Court	All public members	Legal enforcement
Informational Copy	Vital Records/Archives	All public members	Genealogical/historical use

Why Search for Divorce Records in Alabama?

Public members may search for Alabama divorce records for legal, financial, or personal reasons. Legal reasons might include remarriage or property division. For example, you are typically required to submit a divorce certificate or decree when applying. Other reasons for searching divorce records include:

• Child support and custody: Trial courts may require copies of divorce certificates during proceedings related to child custody or support. This helps the court to determine preexisting financial arrangements.
• Family history: Alabama divorce records contain information on family names and addresses, which are often required when tracing family history.
• Probate-related legal processes: Alabama probate courts may require divorce certificates for legal processes, such as name changes or property inheritance. These documents provide a legal basis for conducting such processes.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Alabama?

Alabama divorce records do not have an expiration date. The state's Administrative Office of Courts recommends that divorce decrees and related documents be maintained indefinitely. As proof of this commitment, circuit court clerks maintain records of all divorce events that have ever occurred within a county, irrespective of the creation date. The state's archives might also keep online records of early divorce events.