Dothan Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dothan dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Houston County Circuit Court. Dothan is the county seat and largest city in Houston County with about 71,650 residents.

Where to File for Divorce in Dothan

Dothan residents file for divorce at the Houston County Circuit Court. The courthouse is at 114 North Oates Street in downtown Dothan. Since Dothan is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city center. This is where you file new divorce cases and get copies of divorce records. The Circuit Clerk handles all divorce filings for Houston County, which covers Dothan and the towns around it.

The Houston County Courthouse sits in the heart of Dothan near the main shopping district. Parking is free in the lot behind the courthouse. There is also street parking on nearby blocks. The clerk office is on the first floor. Security checks all visitors when you enter, so bring a valid photo ID. You cannot bring phones into some areas of the courthouse, so check the rules before you visit to get divorce records in Dothan.

How to Search Dothan Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records in Dothan online or in person. Online searches work well for quick lookups. An in-person visit lets you see the full case file and get certified copies the same day. Both ways give you access to divorce records going back decades in Dothan.

AlacourtAccess is the state court records system. It covers all of Houston County, including Dothan. You search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. To see document images, you pay $5.00 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 for each page after that. This is a fast way to find divorce records in Dothan from your home or office. Go to pa.alacourt.com to start your search.

To search divorce records in Dothan, you need:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Year the divorce was filed (helpful but not required)
• Case number if you have it

You can also go to the clerk office in Dothan to search records in person. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. They can print copies from the file while you wait. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (334) 677-4800 to ask what you need to bring. For electronic filing in Dothan, use AlaFile at alafile.alacourt.gov to submit papers and get notices online.

Divorce Filing Process in Dothan

Dothan residents follow Alabama state law when filing for divorce. The process is the same across the state. Since Dothan is in Houston County, you file at the Houston County Circuit Court. 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. You do not have to be a Dothan resident for the full six months. You just need to be an Alabama resident. If you live in Dothan now, you can file here even if you moved from another part of the state recently.

You file the divorce complaint at the Circuit Clerk office. The filing fee is about $275 for a basic divorce case in Houston County. Fees can be higher if children are involved or if you need to modify a decree later. Call the clerk to check current fees. Next, you must serve your spouse with the papers. You can use the Houston County Sheriff, a private process 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, Dothan residents can file using no-fault grounds. The two no-fault options are "incompatibility" and "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." Most divorces in Dothan use one of these. Fault grounds like adultery, abandonment, or cruelty are also options but require proof.

There is a 30-day waiting period after you file. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, the court cannot sign the final decree until 30 days pass. During this time, you may ask for temporary orders on custody, support, or use of the home. If both spouses agree on all terms, you can schedule a final hearing after the wait. If not, the case may go to mediation or trial. The final decree ends the marriage and becomes a public record.

Uncontested divorces in Dothan often take 30 to 60 days from filing to final decree. Contested cases take longer, sometimes six months to a year or more. The judge assigns cases to the court docket based on how complex they are and how busy the court is at that time.

Dothan Divorce Fees

Fees for divorce in Dothan are set by Houston County. The cost to start a new divorce case is around $275. Other court actions have their own fees. Fees can change, so call the clerk at (334) 677-4800 to check current rates before you file in Dothan.

Common fees for divorce in Dothan include:

• File a divorce complaint: $275.00 (approximate)
• Modify or enforce a decree: $300.00 or more
• Default judgment motion: $50.00
• Sheriff service: $10.00 to $15.00
• Subpoenas: $12.00

If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver in Dothan. You file an In Forma Pauperis form with the court. You must show proof that you cannot pay the fees, such as pay stubs, bank statements, or proof of public benefits. The judge reviews your request and decides if you qualify. This waiver covers court fees but not all costs.

Getting copies of existing divorce records has separate fees. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. A certified copy shows the clerk seal and can be used for legal purposes. Call the clerk to ask about copy fees for divorce records in Dothan.

Legal Help for Divorce in Dothan

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

Legal Services Alabama serves Houston County and all of southeast Alabama. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They focus on cases that involve domestic violence, child custody, and protection orders. Call (334) 793-4500 for the Dothan office or the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about help. The website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info on their services.

The Houston County Bar Association can help you find a local attorney in Dothan. The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. Your first meeting with a referred attorney costs a set fee, usually $50 for 30 minutes. This gives you a chance to ask about your case before you hire anyone.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free information about divorce law. The site has step-by-step guides, court forms, and videos that explain the process. It is a good starting point for people who want to handle their own divorce in Dothan.

Filing Without a Lawyer in Dothan

Some Dothan residents file for divorce on their own. 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 to file for divorce in Dothan. The site has complaint forms, answer forms, and other papers the court requires. All forms are free to download and print. You fill them out, sign them, and take them to the clerk office to file.

If children are part of your case, you need extra forms for child support. Forms CS-41 and CS-42 are required. They calculate support based on both parents' income, the number of children, and other factors. The clerk can tell you what forms you need. You can also ask at the law library in the courthouse if you need help finding the right forms for divorce in Dothan.

Some couples use mediation to work out the terms of their divorce. A mediator is a neutral person who helps both sides reach an agreement. Mediation can be faster and less costly than going to trial. The Houston County Court may refer cases to mediation if the parties cannot agree on their own. Ask the clerk about mediation options in Dothan.

Divorce Certificates in Dothan

After a divorce is final in Dothan, you may need a divorce certificate. This is not the same as the divorce decree. A certificate is a short document from the state health department that proves the divorce happened. A decree is the full court order with all the terms. Most legal matters need the decree, but some only need a certificate.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates. You can get one from the Houston County Health Department in Dothan. The fee is $15 for one certified copy. Extra copies at the same time cost $6 each. Walk-in service is often same-day. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. Call 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone.

For the full divorce decree with all the terms, you get that from the Circuit Clerk in Dothan. The decree shows property division, custody, support, and all court orders. The certificate only shows basic facts: names, date, and county. Most people who need to prove their divorce will want the decree since it has more detail.

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

Houston County Divorce Records

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

View Houston County Divorce Records