Access Pickens County Dissolution of Marriage

Pickens County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Carrollton. The 24th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases in this rural west Alabama county.

Pickens County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk in Pickens County maintains all dissolution of marriage records. This office receives divorce filings, stores court documents, and provides copies to the public. Pickens County is a rural county on the Mississippi border. The clerk office handles a modest caseload compared to urban areas.

The Pickens County Courthouse sits in Carrollton, a small town in western Alabama. The historic courthouse is easy to find in the town center. Street parking is available nearby. The building is not large, so the clerk office is easy to locate once inside. Staff are familiar with local records and can help you find what you need.

Pickens County shares the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties. Three counties share circuit judges. Judges travel between courthouses on different days. Your dissolution of marriage hearing may be scheduled around the judge's circuit calendar. The clerk in Carrollton can tell you when court days are set for family cases.

How to Search Pickens County Dissolution of Marriage Records

You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Pickens County through online databases or by visiting the clerk office. The small population means fewer divorce cases overall. This can make it easier to find specific records since there is less to sort through.

Alacourt is the statewide court records system that covers all Alabama counties. Pickens County records are in this database. Visit pa.alacourt.com to search. A name search costs $9.99 and shows one case in detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

To search Pickens County dissolution of marriage records, you need:

• Full name of one or both spouses
• Year of the divorce (if known)
• Case number (optional but speeds up search)

In-person visits to the clerk office in Carrollton work well for detailed research. Staff can pull files and make copies while you wait. The smaller volume means less wait time than in busy urban courts. Call ahead at (205) 367-2030 to make sure the office is open and staff are available.

Pickens County keeps dissolution of marriage records going back many years. Older records may be in different formats. Very old cases might be on paper or microfilm. The clerk can explain what is available and how to access historical divorce records.

Pickens County Dissolution of Marriage Fees

Pickens County charges fees for filing dissolution of marriage cases and for copies of records. Fees help fund court operations. The rates follow state rules with some local variation. Check with the clerk for exact current amounts.

Typical fees in Pickens County:

• File a new divorce: $145 - $199
• File a motion to modify: $248+
• Certified copies: varies by document
• Plain copies: $0.50 - $1.00 per page
• Online case lookup: $9.99 per case

Low income residents may request a fee waiver. You file an In Forma Pauperis form with your case. Attach proof of income or benefits. The judge reviews your request and decides. If granted, you will not pay the filing fee. Copy fees may still apply even with a waiver in Pickens County.

Divorce certificates from the state health department cost $15. Extra copies are $6 each. This is separate from court fees. The certificate only shows basic facts. You need the actual decree from the clerk for all the terms of your divorce.

How to File for Dissolution of Marriage in Pickens County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Pickens County requires following Alabama state law. The steps are the same as in other counties. All filings go to the Circuit Clerk in Carrollton.

Residency comes first. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-5, at least one spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before filing. You file where you or your spouse lives. Pickens County residents file in Carrollton.

The basic steps are:

• Obtain divorce complaint forms
• Fill out all required fields
• Get your marriage certificate
• Complete financial disclosure documents
• File papers at the clerk office
• Pay the filing fee
• Have your spouse served
• Allow time for response
• Attend any scheduled hearings
• Receive final decree from judge

Alabama law includes a 30-day waiting period. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, no final decree can be signed until 30 days after filing. Uncontested cases where both parties agree can finish quickly after the wait. Contested divorces take longer and may require multiple court dates in Pickens County.

What Pickens County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

Dissolution of marriage records in Pickens County include all documents filed during a divorce. The case file grows as papers are added. Everything becomes part of the public record once filed.

The complaint starts the case. It lists both spouses and gives the grounds for divorce. Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1 provides ten legal grounds. Incompatibility is the most common. This is a no-fault option that does not blame either spouse.

A typical Pickens County dissolution of marriage file contains:

• Original complaint for divorce
• Summons and service documents
• Answer or waiver from other spouse
• Financial statements
• Settlement agreement
• Parenting plan (when children are involved)
• Child support worksheets
• Final decree of divorce

The final decree is the most important document. It is the court order ending the marriage. The decree states all terms: who gets what property, custody arrangements, and support amounts. Get certified copies from the Pickens County Circuit Clerk.

Dissolution of marriage records are public under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40. Anyone can request access. Some information about children may be sealed. Financial details are usually public.

Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Pickens County

Residents of Pickens County have options for legal assistance with divorce. Legal Services Alabama helps low income people with family law cases. Call (866) 456-4995 to find out if you qualify. Spanish speakers can reach them at (888) 835-3505.

The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral line is 1-800-392-5660. You pay up to $50 for a 30-minute consultation. This can help you find a family law attorney in the area. Attorneys from Tuscaloosa or other nearby cities may take Pickens County cases.

Free court forms are at eforms.alacourt.gov. You can fill out divorce papers online and print them at home. Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides for people who represent themselves in dissolution of marriage cases.

Rural counties like Pickens have fewer local attorneys. You may need to look in Tuscaloosa or Columbus, Mississippi for legal help. The clerk office can sometimes suggest attorneys who practice in Pickens County.

Divorce Certificates in Pickens County

The Alabama Center for Vital Statistics issues divorce certificates for the whole state. A certificate is a brief record that shows a divorce happened. It lists names, date, and county only. It does not have property terms, custody orders, or support amounts.

Order a certificate at vitalchek.com or by phone at 1-888-279-9888. The fee is $15 for one copy. Additional copies cost $6 each. VitalChek charges a processing fee on top. Certificates are available for divorces from 1950 forward.

For the complete divorce decree with all legal terms, contact the Pickens County Circuit Clerk. Most official uses need the decree, not the certificate. Banks, employers, and government agencies typically ask for the decree. Get certified copies from the clerk in Carrollton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pickens County or share the 24th Judicial Circuit. Check your address to determine the right county for your dissolution of marriage case.