Access Decatur Dissolution of Marriage Records

Decatur dissolution of marriage records are filed primarily at Morgan County Circuit Court. A small portion of Decatur extends into Limestone County, so some residents file there instead.

Important: Which County Are You In?

Decatur straddles the line between Morgan County and Limestone County. Most of Decatur sits in Morgan County. The city is the Morgan County seat, and most residents file divorce cases at the Morgan County Circuit Court. However, a portion of Decatur in the northern part of the city extends into Limestone County.

Check your county before you file. Your property tax bill shows which county you are in. You can also look up your address on the county tax assessor website or call city hall. If you live in the Limestone County part of Decatur, you file at the Limestone County Circuit Court in Athens. Filing at the wrong court causes delays and extra work.

Most Decatur residents are in Morgan County. If your address is in downtown Decatur or south of the Tennessee River, you are almost certainly in Morgan County. The Limestone County portion is generally north of the river and on the eastern edge of the city. When in doubt, call both courts and ask. It only takes a minute to confirm, and it saves problems down the road.

Morgan County Circuit Court

Morgan County handles divorce filings for most Decatur residents. Decatur is the county seat, so the courthouse is right in town. Morgan County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk office handles all family law filings, including divorce, custody, child support, and protection orders.

The Morgan County Courthouse is in downtown Decatur near the historic business district. Street parking is available on Lee Street and nearby blocks. The clerk office is on the fourth floor. Take the elevator from the main lobby. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. Leave large bags at home when you come to file divorce papers or get copies of records.

Limestone County Circuit Court

Limestone County handles divorce filings for Decatur residents who live in the Limestone County portion of the city. The courthouse is in Athens, about 15 miles northeast of Decatur. Limestone County is part of the 39th Judicial Circuit.

The Limestone County Courthouse is on the town square in Athens. Free parking is available on nearby streets and in public lots. The clerk office is on the second floor. Athens is a smaller court, so wait times are often shorter than at larger counties. The drive from Decatur to Athens takes about 20 minutes on US Highway 31.

How to Search Decatur Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records online or in person at the courthouse. Since Decatur spans two counties, you may need to search both courts if you do not know where the divorce was filed. Both counties use the same state court records system, which makes online searches easy.

AlacourtAccess is the state court system. It covers all Alabama courts, including Morgan County and Limestone County. You 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. Go to pa.alacourt.com to start your search.

To search divorce records in Decatur, you need:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• The county where they lived (Morgan or Limestone)
• Year the divorce was filed if known
• Case number if you have it

You can also visit the clerk office in person. Call ahead to confirm hours and what you need to bring. Morgan County: (256) 351-4790. Limestone County: (256) 233-6406. Staff can look up cases and make copies while you wait. Certified copies cost more than plain ones but are needed for most official uses.

For electronic filing, Decatur residents use AlaFile at alafile.alacourt.gov. Submit papers, pay fees, and get court notices online. This works for both Morgan County and Limestone County cases.

Divorce Filing Process in Decatur

Decatur residents follow Alabama state law when filing for divorce. The process is the same in Morgan County and Limestone County. File at the court for the county where you live. Each step creates records that become part of your case file.

First, 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. You do not have to be a Decatur resident the whole time. You just need to be an Alabama resident. If you moved to Decatur recently from elsewhere in the state, you can still file here.

File the divorce complaint at your county Circuit Clerk office. The filing fee is about $275 for a basic divorce case. Fees may be higher for cases with children or when you need to modify a decree later. Call the clerk to check current fees. Then serve your spouse with the papers. Use the sheriff, a private server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1, you must state grounds for divorce. Most Decatur residents use no-fault grounds like "incompatibility" or "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." These do not require proving fault. Fault grounds like adultery, abandonment, or cruelty are also options but harder to prove and take longer.

A 30-day waiting period applies after filing. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, the court cannot finalize the divorce until 30 days pass. During this time, you may request temporary orders for custody, support, or use of property. If both spouses agree on all terms, schedule a final hearing after the wait. Contested cases may go to mediation or trial.

Uncontested divorces in Decatur often finish in 30 to 60 days. Contested cases take much longer, sometimes six months to a year or more. The final decree ends the marriage and becomes a public record that either party can get copies of at any time.

Decatur Divorce Fees

Fees depend on which county you file in. Morgan County and Limestone County each set their own fee schedules. Both charge similar amounts. Call your court for exact current fees before filing.

Common fees for divorce in the Decatur area include:

• File a divorce complaint: $275 to $300
• Modify or enforce a decree: $300 or more
• Default judgment motion: $50
• Sheriff service: $10 to $15
• Subpoenas: $12

If you have low income, you may request a fee waiver. File an In Forma Pauperis form with your complaint. Attach proof you cannot pay, such as pay stubs, bank statements, or proof of public benefits. The judge reviews your request. If granted, the waiver covers court fees but not every cost you might face.

Copy fees apply when you get divorce records. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. A certified copy bears the clerk seal and is accepted for official purposes like changing your name or updating government records. Call the clerk for current copy fees.

Legal Help for Divorce in Decatur

Several organizations offer legal help for Decatur residents going through a divorce. Some provide free services based on income. Others offer low-cost first consultations. These resources can help you understand the process, fill out forms, or find a family law attorney.

Legal Services Alabama serves the Decatur area. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Priority goes to cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and crisis situations. Call the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about help. The website at legalservicesalabama.org has more information on their services.

The Morgan County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys who handle divorce cases. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. Your first meeting with a referred attorney costs a set fee, usually $50 for 30 minutes. This lets you ask questions and decide if you want to hire that lawyer.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org offers free guides and court forms. The site has step-by-step instructions for filing divorce papers on your own. It is especially helpful for uncontested divorces where both parties agree on the terms.

Filing Without a Lawyer in Decatur

Some Decatur residents file for divorce without hiring an attorney. This is called a pro se filing. It works best when both spouses agree on everything and there are no complex property or custody issues. The court cannot give legal advice, but resources exist to guide you through the process.

Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the court forms you need to file for divorce. Download the complaint, answer, and other required forms. Fill them out, sign them, and file at your county clerk office. All forms are free to use. Print them at home or at your local library.

If children are part of your case, you must file child support forms. Forms CS-41 and CS-42 calculate support based on both parents' income, the number of children, and who has custody. These are required in every divorce with minor children. The clerk can tell you exactly what you need to file.

Mediation can help resolve disputes without a trial. A mediator is a neutral person who helps both sides work out an agreement. Courts often send contested cases to mediation first. It can be faster and cheaper than going to trial. Ask the clerk about mediation options in Decatur. Some mediators work on a sliding scale based on income.

Divorce Certificates in Decatur

After a divorce is final, you may need a divorce certificate. This is different from the divorce decree. A certificate is a short document from the state health department. It proves the divorce happened. A decree is the full court order with all terms about property, custody, and support.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates. You can get one from the Morgan County Health Department in Decatur or the Limestone County Health Department in Athens, depending on where the divorce was filed. The fee is $15 for one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each when ordered at the same time.

Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee. Call 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone. Online orders typically arrive in a few business days. Walk-in service at local health departments is often same-day.

For the full divorce decree with all terms, contact the Circuit Clerk where the divorce was filed. Most of the time you need the decree rather than just the certificate. The decree has everything: property division, custody arrangements, support orders, and any other court orders. The certificate only shows basic information like names, date, and county.

Divorce certificates from the health department are available for divorces from 1950 to the present. For divorces before 1950, you must contact the Circuit Clerk directly since those records are only at the courthouse.

County Divorce Records

Decatur spans two counties, so your divorce records are in one of two courts. Check which county your address is in, then visit that county page for details on the court system, fees, and other resources.

View Morgan County Divorce Records View Limestone County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

Decatur is part of the Tennessee Valley region in north Alabama. Other major cities in the area include:

• Huntsville - About 25 miles east in Madison County
• Madison - About 20 miles east, spans Madison and Limestone Counties