Search Crenshaw County Dissolution of Marriage

Crenshaw County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Luverne. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases for this county.

Crenshaw County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk in Crenshaw County keeps all dissolution of marriage records. This office handles new filings, stores case files, and gives out copies of divorce decrees. Staff can search for records by name or case number. The clerk office is at 89 South Glenwood Avenue in Luverne, inside the courthouse building.

Crenshaw County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Butler and Covington counties. This means one circuit judge serves all three counties. Court sessions rotate between the counties. You file your case in the county where you live, but the judge may hear cases on set dates each month.

The Probate Office handles marriage licenses, not divorce records. Go to the Circuit Clerk for all dissolution of marriage matters. The offices are in the same building but serve different purposes. Call ahead to make sure you have all the right forms before your trip to the Crenshaw County courthouse.

How to Search Crenshaw County Dissolution of Marriage Records

You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Crenshaw County online or in person. Online searches give you quick access to basic case info. Going to the courthouse lets you see the full file and get certified copies the same day.

Alacourt is the state court database that covers all 67 Alabama counties. This includes Crenshaw County. You search by name or case number. Each name search costs $9.99 and comes with one case detail. If you need more cases, each one is $9.99 more. Document images cost $5.00 for up to 20 pages. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search Crenshaw County dissolution of marriage records from home.

To find a divorce record in Crenshaw County, you need:

• Full name of one spouse (or both if you have it)
• Approximate year the divorce was filed or finalized
• Case number if known

You can also go to the clerk office in person. The staff will look up records for you. Bring your ID. They can search by name or case number and make copies while you wait. Old records may take longer to find since some are stored off-site. Call (334) 335-6568 first to ask what you need to bring.

For records before the online system started, you may need to search paper indexes at the courthouse. The clerk staff can help you find older Crenshaw County dissolution of marriage cases in these books.

Crenshaw County Dissolution of Marriage Fees

Crenshaw County charges fees for filing divorce cases and getting copies of records. Fees can change. Always call the clerk to check current rates before you file for dissolution of marriage.

Common fees in Crenshaw County include:

• Filing a divorce complaint: $145 - $199
• Filing to modify or enforce a decree: $248+
• Certified copies: varies by page count
• Plain copies: $0.50 - $1.00 per page

If you cannot afford the fees, you may ask for a fee waiver. You file an In Forma Pauperis form with the court. This form asks about your income and bills. The judge reviews it and decides if you can file without paying. Copy fees are separate and may still apply even with a waiver.

The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a divorce certificate. Extra copies cost $6 each. This is not the same as the court filing fee. The health department certificate shows only basic facts. For the full decree with property terms and custody orders, you need copies from the Circuit Clerk in Crenshaw County.

How to File for Dissolution of Marriage in Crenshaw County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Crenshaw County follows Alabama state law. The process creates records that become part of your permanent case file at the courthouse.

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 file in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you live in Crenshaw County, you file there.

Start by filing the complaint at the Circuit Clerk office. Pay the filing fee at the same time. The clerk gives you a case number. Then you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. You can use the sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. The proof of service goes in your case file.

Alabama has a mandatory 30-day waiting period. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, the court cannot grant the divorce until 30 days after filing. This gives both sides time to respond. After the waiting period, the judge can sign the final decree if everything is in order.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court hears cases in Crenshaw County on scheduled dates. Check with the clerk for the court calendar. Uncontested divorces may not need a court hearing. The judge can sign off on agreed cases in chambers.

What Crenshaw County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

Dissolution of marriage records in Crenshaw County include several types of documents. Each case file has multiple papers that tell the full story of the divorce.

The complaint is the first document filed. It names both spouses and states the grounds for divorce. Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1 lists ten grounds for divorce. Most people use no-fault grounds like incompatibility or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

The final divorce decree is the most important document. This is the judge's order that legally ends the marriage. It has all the terms both parties must follow. Most people who need a record want this document.

A dissolution of marriage record in Crenshaw County typically shows:

• Names and addresses of both spouses
• Date and place of marriage
• Date of separation
• Grounds for the divorce
• Property and debt division
• Child custody and visitation schedule
• Child support amounts and terms
• Alimony if any was ordered

Crenshaw County dissolution of marriage records are public under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Anyone can ask to see them. Some details about children or sensitive financial info may be redacted in public copies to protect privacy.

Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Crenshaw County

Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Crenshaw County. You do not have to handle your case alone. Free and low-cost help is out there.

Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to people with low income. They serve Crenshaw County. Call (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505.

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. They can match you with a family law attorney who handles divorces in the Luverne area.

Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the court forms you need. You can fill them out online and print them. The site has forms for simple divorces, divorces with children, and divorces with property to divide.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer. The site walks you through each step of the process. It can help you understand what forms to use and how to fill them out for dissolution of marriage in Crenshaw County.

Divorce Certificates in Crenshaw County

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates. A certificate is not the same as a decree. It shows only basic facts: the names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was filed.

The health department has divorce certificates from 1950 to now. You can order one through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. The fee is $15 for one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek adds a service fee on top.

For the full divorce decree with property terms, custody orders, and support amounts, go to the Circuit Clerk in Crenshaw County. The decree has all the details. Most legal matters need the decree, not just a certificate. Banks, courts, and government agencies often want to see the actual decree.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Crenshaw County or share the 2nd Judicial Circuit. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where you live.