Search Alabama Dissolution of Marriage Records
Alabama dissolution of marriage records are public documents kept by county Circuit Courts and the Alabama Department of Public Health. The 67 counties in Alabama each store their own divorce case files at the local Circuit Clerk office. The state health agency holds divorce certificates from 1950 to now. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses across the state.
Alabama Dissolution of Marriage Quick Facts
Where to Find Alabama Dissolution of Marriage Records
Two main places hold dissolution of marriage records in Alabama. County Circuit Courts keep the full case files for every divorce filed in the state. These files have the divorce complaint, the answer from the other spouse, settlement papers, and the final decree signed by the judge. The Circuit Clerk in each county stores these records and can make copies for you. You can go in person at the courthouse or search some records online through the Alabama court system.
The Alabama Department of Public Health keeps divorce certificates. A certificate is not the same as a decree. It shows only basic facts: names of both spouses, date of divorce, and the county where it took place. The health department has certificates for divorces from 1950 to the present. You can order these by mail, online through VitalChek, or at a county health office. Certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for each extra copy.
Divorce certificates show less detail than full court records from the Circuit Clerk.
How Alabama Handles Dissolution of Marriage
Alabama uses a hybrid system for dissolution of marriage records. The state stores certificates while counties store the full case files. This setup means you may need to contact different offices based on what you need. Understanding how the system works helps you get the right records faster.
Circuit Court Clerks in each of the 67 counties handle all divorce filings. When someone files for divorce, the paperwork goes to the Circuit Clerk. This office tracks the case from start to finish. Staff file motions, schedule hearings, and record the final decree. All these documents stay at the county courthouse. You can get copies of any paper in a case file from the clerk.
The state health agency gets a report after each divorce is final. Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-18, court clerks must file divorce records with the Office of Vital Statistics by the 5th of each month. The state then issues divorce certificates based on these reports. This is why state records start in 1950, when this reporting system began.
For records before 1950, only the county Circuit Court has them. There is no state-level copy. You must contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce took place. Some old records may be hard to find if courthouse fires or floods caused damage in past years.
How to Search Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
Alabama offers several ways to look up dissolution of marriage records. Online access is the fastest method for most searches. You can search from home any time of day. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to see the full case file.
Alacourt is the state court records database that covers all 67 county Circuit Courts. You can search by name or case number to find divorce cases. The system charges fees for each search. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start your search.
To search dissolution of marriage records on Alacourt, you need:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the divorce filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any Circuit Clerk office. Go to the county where the divorce was filed. Staff can help you find records and make copies. Most clerks charge a small fee for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce certificates only, use VitalChek online at vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888.
What Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
Alabama dissolution of marriage records include several types of documents. The divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is done. The decree states the marriage is over and covers child custody, support, and property terms. This is the most complete record you can get.
The divorce certificate is a shorter document from the Alabama Department of Public Health. A certificate proves a divorce took place but does not show settlement details. Many people need a certificate for changing their name, getting remarried, or updating other legal papers. You can get a certificate from a county health office or order one online.
Dissolution of marriage records typically contain:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the divorce was filed
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the divorce
- Terms of property division
- Child custody arrangements if applicable
- Alimony or support orders if ordered
Court case files may also hold motions, responses, and other papers filed during the case. These show the full history of the divorce proceedings. You can get copies of any paper in a case file from the Circuit Clerk.
Alabama Dissolution of Marriage Laws
Alabama law sets the rules for getting a divorce. These laws affect how long the process takes and what records are created. The state legislature has set rules for residency, grounds, waiting periods, and property division.
Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-5, at least one spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before filing. This is the residency rule. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives now. The complaint must state that you meet this rule.
Alabama allows both fault and no-fault divorces. Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1 lists ten grounds for divorce. The two no-fault grounds are "incompatibility of temperament" and "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." Most divorces use one of these since they are easier to prove. Fault grounds include adultery, abandonment for one year, imprisonment, and habitual drunkenness.
Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, there is a 30-day waiting period after you file. The court cannot finalize a divorce until at least 30 days after the complaint is filed. During this time, the court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or who uses the home.
Alabama is an equitable distribution state. Property is divided fairly but not always equally. The judge looks at many factors when splitting assets. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and what each person put into the marriage.
Dissolution of Marriage Record Fees
Fees vary based on what you need and where you get it. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a divorce certificate search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy in the same order costs $6. Rush handling adds $15. VitalChek charges its own service fees on top of these state fees.
County Circuit Courts charge their own fees for divorce cases and records. Filing for divorce costs about $145 to $290 in most counties. Fees go up if children are part of the case. Getting copies of existing dissolution of marriage records costs less. Most clerks charge per page. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.
Here are common fees across Alabama:
- State divorce certificate: $15 first copy, $6 additional
- Authenticated certificate: $25
- Expedited service: $15 extra
- Alacourt court search: $9.99 per name
- County filing (uncontested): $145 to $199
- County filing (with children): $199 to $290
Fee waivers are available for people with low income. You can ask the court to waive fees by filing an In Forma Pauperis form. You must show proof of low income. The judge will decide if you qualify.
How to Get Copies of Dissolution of Marriage Records
You can get copies of dissolution of marriage records in several ways. For divorce certificates from the Department of Public Health, you have three choices. First, order online through VitalChek for the fastest service. Second, mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625 with the names of both spouses, divorce date, county, and payment. Third, visit a county health department in person.
For full divorce decrees and case files, go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. You can ask in person or call ahead. Some clerks accept mail requests. You will need the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search and make copies for a fee.
Wait times vary by method. In-person requests at a health department are often same-day. Mail requests to the state take 10 to 15 business days. Rush orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office.
Are Dissolution of Marriage Records Public
Yes. Dissolution of marriage records are public in Alabama. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. This applies to divorce records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21(e), divorce certificates are "nonrestricted public records." Anyone may obtain copies for any purpose. No stated relationship is required. This makes Alabama more open than some other states when it comes to divorce record access.
Some limits apply. Financial account numbers may be blacked out from public copies. Details about minor children may also be redacted. A party can ask the court to seal their divorce records. A judge may seal records after a hearing if there is a strong reason. Sealed records are rare in Alabama.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage
Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Alabama. Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to people with low income. They focus on divorce cases that involve domestic violence. Call (866) 456-4995. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info.
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected with a family law lawyer. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. They can refer you to an attorney in your area who handles divorce cases.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org offers self-help forms and legal facts for people who want to file on their own. Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the official court forms you need to file for divorce.
Browse Dissolution of Marriage Records by County
Each county in Alabama has its own Circuit Clerk who keeps dissolution of marriage records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources.
Dissolution of Marriage Records in Major Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at their county Circuit Court. Pick a city below to learn about dissolution of marriage records in that area.