Winston County Court Records Search
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Winston County, Alabama sits within the Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit, a designation that shapes how court records are organized, maintained, and accessed throughout the county. Court records in Winston County are legal documents generated and preserved in connection with proceedings before the county's trial courts. They typically include case filings, hearing notices, court orders, judgments, financial records, and case action summaries. The Winston County Circuit Clerk manages most of these records across ten case divisions: Civil, Criminal, Domestic, Child Support, Traffic, Juvenile, and Warrants, among others.
Anyone needing to locate case information in Alabama has several options. Official court resources — including clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and the state's online case system — remain the most reliable. AlabamaCourts.us may help users identify court contacts, locate publicly available case data, and understand the state's judicial structure before submitting a formal request.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Winston County?
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides a statewide online access system called "Just One Look" through the Alacourt Public Access portal. This subscription-based service allows users to search electronically imaged court records from Winston County and every other Alabama trial court by name or case number.
Alacourt Public Access — Fee Schedule:
| Search Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name Search | $9.99 |
| Case Number Search | $9.99 |
| Document Images (first 20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Document Images (each additional page) | $0.50 |
Search results from this portal include case status, hearing dates, party details, court actions, financial histories, and full case action summaries. The Winston County Circuit Clerk's Office directs users to this portal for most trial court inquiries.
For in-person requests, start at the Circuit Clerk's Office. Staff can help you locate non-restricted court records across all case divisions. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to provide the party name, case number, or relevant filing date.
Winston County Circuit Clerk's Office
Address: 10 Blake Dr., P.O. Box 309, Double Springs, AL 35553
Phone: (205) 489-5533
Email: john.snoddy@alacourt.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
The Winston County Circuit Clerk's website also publishes current court dockets, so you can check scheduled hearings and case activity without contacting the office directly.
Are Court Records Public in Winston County?
Alabama's Public Records Law under Ala. Code § 36-12-40 establishes that every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings maintained by government agencies, including courts. Winston County court records are generally presumed public unless a specific statutory or court-ordered exemption applies.
Certain records are excluded from public access, either permanently or for a defined period. Common restricted categories include:
- Juvenile records — protected under Ala. Code § 12-15-133; details of proceedings involving minors are generally confidential
- Adoption records — sealed by court order and not available to the general public
- Grand jury proceedings — protected from disclosure to preserve the integrity of criminal investigations
- Pending criminal investigation records — restricted until investigations are resolved
- Mental health commitment records — classified as confidential
- Records containing personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, which must be redacted before public release
- Sensitive medical or psychological records submitted during court proceedings
Alabama adopted updated court record privacy and confidentiality rules in 2025, effective across all appellate, circuit, district, juvenile, and municipal courts. These rules created a more uniform statewide framework for handling confidential filings and redaction requirements. If you're unsure whether a specific record is restricted, contact the Circuit Clerk's Office before making a formal request.
Winston County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Winston County — from misdemeanors and traffic offenses to felony prosecutions — are filed and managed through the Circuit and District Courts, both operating under the Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit. Case records documenting charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, and sentencing are accessible through the Alacourt Public Access portal or in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Arrest records are maintained separately by the Winston County Sheriff's Office, which handles booking information, inmate records, and law enforcement reports.
Winston County Sheriff's Office
Address: 11 Blake Drive, Double Springs, AL 35553
Phone: (205) 489-8765
Walk-in and mail-in requests for arrest records should go directly to the Sheriff's Office. Provide the subject's full name and, where available, the arrest date to help staff locate the record. Some law enforcement records — particularly those tied to active investigations — may be withheld under applicable exemptions.
Misdemeanor Criminal Court Costs assessed in Winston County cases include the following components:
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Victim's Assessment Fee | $25.00 |
| Criminal History Fee | $30.00 |
| State Comptroller | $64.00 |
| Fair Trial Tax Fund | $21.00 |
| Winston County General Fund | $10.00 |
| Winston County Judicial Building Fund | $30.00 |
| Crime Victim's Compensation Commission | $10.00 |
| Advanced Technology Fund | $5.00 |
Municipal courts in Winston County also handle lower-level criminal matters. The Haleyville Municipal Court (1901 11th Ave, Haleyville, AL 35565; (205) 486-3121) and the Double Springs Municipal Court (21 Main St, P.O. Box 279, Double Springs, AL 35553; (205) 489-5447) each operate independently of the Circuit Court system. The Addison Municipal Court is located at 16323 County Rd 41, P.O. Box 98, Addison, AL 35540; (205) 747-2971, and the Arley Municipal Court is at 6788 County Rd 41, P.O. Box 146, Arley, AL 35541; (205) 387-0103.
Winston County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Winston County are divided between the Circuit Court (higher-value claims) and the District Court (smaller claims, including small claims matters). Both courts operate from the same courthouse complex, and the Circuit Clerk maintains records for both.
Civil Filing Fees for Winston County are as follows:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims ($1,500 or less) | $82.00 |
| Small Claims ($1,501–$3,000) | $156.00 |
| District Civil ($3,001–$10,000) | $277.00 |
| Circuit Civil (up to $50,000) | $276.00 |
| Circuit Civil (over $50,000) | $376.00 |
| Workers' Compensation | $224.00 |
| Civil Jury Demand | $100.00 |
| Garnishment & Writ of Execution | $30.00 |
| Civil Subpoenas | $12.00 |
The complete civil filing fee schedule is published on the Circuit Clerk's official website, along with additional cost breakdowns for counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party actions.
To search for a civil case online, log in to the Alacourt Public Access portal and filter results by case type and county. For in-person requests, visit the Circuit Clerk's Office with basic case information; staff will provide the appropriate record request form. Copies of civil case documents are released after fees are collected.
Property-related civil records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments recorded against real property — are maintained by the Winston County Probate Office's Recording Department rather than the Circuit Clerk. The Probate Office's recording annex offers public viewing terminals for on-site searches. An online property records search is also available through the Winston County Probate online portal. For ownership data, parcel details, and GIS mapping, the Winston County Revenue Commission's property search provides a searchable database by name, PIN, parcel, or address.
Winston County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Winston County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence proceedings, and paternity actions — are handled by the Circuit Court as Domestic Relations cases. The Winston County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all related case records and filings.
- Domestic Relations filing fee: $224.00
- DR Modification or Enforcement filing fee: $327.00
Divorce records filed through the court are accessible via the Alacourt Public Access portal by searching the party's name or case number. In-person access to domestic relations files is available at the Circuit Clerk's Office during regular hours. Some domestic case records involving children — particularly in custody and child abuse contexts — may be subject to partial or full confidentiality restrictions.
Certified copies of divorce certificates, which are separate from court case filings, are maintained by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics and are available for events occurring from 1950 onward. You can obtain certified copies through:
- The Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics (P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625)
- The Winston County Health Department (110 Legion Road, Double Springs, AL 35553; Phone: (659) 247-8300)
Divorce Certificate Fee: $15.00 (non-refundable search fee, includes one certified copy); each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously costs $6.00.
The same fee structure applies to certified marriage certificates, available from 1936 onward. The completed vital records request form published by the Alabama Department of Public Health is used for marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificate requests submitted by mail. Mail requests must include a copy of valid government-issued photo ID and payment by check or money order made payable to the Center for Health Statistics.
Birth and death certificates are also managed by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Vital Records division. Birth certificates have been available through the Center for Health Statistics since 1908, and death certificates are issued with restricted access for 25 years from the date of death. Both cost $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests may be made in person at the Winston County Health Department, by mail to the Center for Health Statistics, or online through the state-authorized vendor VitalChek.
Winston County Probate Court Records
The Winston County Probate Court is a distinct court from the Circuit and District Courts, operating under the jurisdiction of the Honorable Sheila G. Moore, Probate Judge. The court handles estate administration, will probation, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and involuntary mental health commitments. It operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Winston County Probate Court
Address: 25125 Hwy 195, P.O. Box 27, Double Springs, AL 35553
Phone: (205) 489-5219
Fax: (205) 489-5135
The Probate Court's Recording Department — located in the courthouse annex — handles the recording, indexing, and preservation of public documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, corporate filings, and judgments. The department provides public viewing terminals for in-person searches of recorded instruments. For remote access, the Winston County Probate online records portal allows users to search land records and probate case records without visiting the courthouse.
Key functions of the Winston County Probate Court include:
- Estate administration — overseeing the distribution of assets for both testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) decedents
- Will probation — interpreting the terms of a will and determining rightful heirs when disputes arise
- Guardianship and conservatorship — appointing and periodically reviewing court-appointed guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults and minors
- Mental health proceedings — conducting hearings on involuntary psychiatric hospitalization petitions in compliance with the Alabama Mental Health Code
- Adoptions — processing adoption petitions, though resulting records are sealed from public access
Probate records connected to specific estates or guardianship matters can be searched on-site using the public terminals in the recording department. The Probate Court does not provide blank forms across the counter; you must obtain any necessary forms independently before appearing. Direct questions about the Records Department to the office at (205) 489-5219. For broader land-related searches, the Winston County Revenue Commission's GIS mapping and parcel search tool can supplement information available through the Probate recording annex.