Search Auburn Dissolution of Marriage

Dissolution of marriage records in Auburn are filed at the Lee County Circuit Court. Auburn is the largest city in Lee County with a population of about 83,757. The court is in nearby Opelika, the county seat.

Where to File for Divorce in Auburn

Auburn residents file for divorce at the Lee County Circuit Court in Opelika. The court is at the T.K. Davis Justice Center on Gateway Drive. This is about 8 miles from downtown Auburn. The Circuit Clerk office handles all divorce filings and gives out copies of divorce decrees for Auburn residents.

Auburn is home to Auburn University. About 40% of the city's population are students. Many student couples file for divorce in Lee County each year. Whether you are a student or a long-term resident, you file at the same court. The six-month residency rule applies to all Auburn residents who want to file for divorce.

The courthouse has free parking. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. Leave large bags at home when you go to file or pick up divorce records in Auburn.

How to Search Auburn Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records in Auburn online or in person. Online searches work well when you just need basic case info. In-person visits let you see the full case file and get certified copies the same day. Both methods give you access to divorce records going back many years in Auburn.

AlacourtAccess is the state court records system. It covers all of Lee County, including Auburn divorce cases. You can search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start your search.

To search divorce records in Auburn, you need:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Year the divorce was filed
• Case number if you know it

You can also visit the clerk office in person to search. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and make copies from the file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. For electronic filing, Auburn residents can use AlaFile at alafile.alacourt.gov to submit papers and track their cases online.

Divorce Filing Process in Auburn

Auburn residents follow Alabama state law when filing for divorce. The process is the same across the state. Each step creates records that become part of your case file. You can get copies of any paper once it is filed.

First, you must meet the residency rule. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-5, at least one spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before filing. Students living in Auburn for school may count as residents if they plan to stay. The key is intent. If you moved to Auburn just for the case, the court may not accept it.

You file the divorce complaint at the Circuit Clerk office. The filing fee is $279 for a basic divorce case in Lee County. Fees go up if children are involved or if you need changes to a decree later. Next, you must serve your spouse with the papers. You can use the Lee County Sheriff, a private server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file.

You must state your grounds for divorce in the complaint. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1, Auburn residents can file using no-fault grounds like "incompatibility" or "irretrievable breakdown." Most divorces in Auburn use one of these. Fault grounds like adultery or abandonment are also options but harder to prove in court.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, there is a 30-day waiting period after you file. The court cannot sign the final decree until 30 days pass. If both parties agree on all terms, you schedule a final hearing after the wait. The final decree ends the marriage and becomes a public record.

Auburn Divorce Fees

Fees for divorce in Auburn are set by Lee County. The cost to start a new divorce case is $279. Other court actions cost more. Fees can change, so call the clerk at (334) 737-3526 to check current rates before you file.

The main fees for divorce in Auburn:

• File a divorce complaint: $279.00
• Modify or enforce a decree: $302.00
• Default judgment motion: $50.00
• Sheriff service: $15.00 to $25.00
• Subpoenas: $12.00

If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver. You file an In Forma Pauperis form with the court. You must show proof that you cannot pay the fees. The judge reviews your request. Getting copies of existing divorce records has its own fees. Plain copies cost less than certified ones.

Legal Help for Divorce in Auburn

Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Auburn. Some give free legal aid to people with low income. Others offer a first meeting at a reduced cost. These resources can help you understand the law, fill out court forms, or find a family law attorney.

Legal Services Alabama serves Lee County. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about help with divorce in Auburn. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info.

The Lee County Bar Association can help you find a lawyer. Call the Alabama State Bar lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. Auburn University may have legal clinics that help with basic divorce questions. Check with the university's law school for current programs. Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer.

Filing Without a Lawyer in Auburn

Some Auburn residents file for divorce on their own without a lawyer. This is called a pro se divorce. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complex issues with property or children. The court does not give legal advice, but several resources can help you handle your own case.

Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the court forms you need. The site has complaint forms, answer forms, and all the papers the court asks for. All forms are free to download and print. If children are part of your case, you need extra forms for child support. Forms CS-41 and CS-42 calculate support based on both parents' income.

The clerk can tell you what forms you need but cannot give legal advice. For simple cases where both spouses agree, the process can be done in 30 to 60 days in Auburn.

Divorce Certificates in Auburn

After a divorce is final in Auburn, you may need a divorce certificate. This is not the same as the divorce decree. A certificate is a shorter document from the state health department. It proves the divorce took place. A decree is the full court order with all the terms.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates. The fee is $15 for one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. You can get one from the Lee County Health Department. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com, which adds a service fee. Call VitalChek at 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone.

For the divorce decree fee, Lee County charges $25 for 1 to 20 pages. This gets you a copy of the full court order with property terms, custody, and support. Most legal matters need the decree, not just the certificate. Call the clerk at (334) 737-3526 to ask about current copy costs for divorce records in Auburn.

Lee County Divorce Records

Auburn is in Lee County, and all divorce filings go through the Lee County Circuit Court. The county court handles cases for several cities and towns. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and other resources, visit the Lee County divorce records page.

View Lee County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Auburn. Opelika is the Lee County seat where the courthouse is located.

Opelika and other nearby cities in Lee County also file divorce cases at the same court. Columbus, Georgia is across the state line and uses a different court system entirely.