Find Family Court Records in Autauga County
Family court records in Autauga County are kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Prattville. You can find divorce files here. Also custody cases and child support orders. The records also cover paternity cases and abuse protection filings. The Circuit Court takes care of all domestic cases under Alabama law. Debra Hill is the Circuit Clerk for the 19th Judicial Circuit right now. You've got a few ways to get records - use the Alacourt system online, go to the courthouse in person, or send a written request to the clerk's office. Some records became confidential in January 2025 under new Alabama court privacy rules, so you might not be able to access everything depending on your relationship to the case.
Autauga County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Contact Information
Autauga County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all family court case files and records for Autauga County. Debra Hill is the Circuit Clerk. The office takes new filings. It keeps custody orders on file. Staff will give you copies of court papers if you're allowed to have them. You'll need to show you have a right to see the records - being a party to the case, an attorney of record, or someone with a court order granting access. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, though calling ahead can save you time if the staff needs to pull files from storage.
Address:
134 North Court St Rm 114
Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6801
County Website: https://autauga.alacourt.gov/
If you need family court records, call this office during work hours. Ask about your case. Or ask for certified copies.
Online Access to Court Records
Alacourt Access System
Autauga County family court records are on Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This costs money - it's a subscription service. But it gives you quick access to cases from your computer. The statewide database shows party names, case numbers, when cases were filed, and what's going on with them now. You might find scanned court papers too, though that depends on how old the case is and if the county has digitized those files yet. Newer cases usually have more documents available online than older ones.
County-Specific Website
Autauga County has its own website at autauga.alacourt.gov. You can find info about the circuit court here. Also clerk contact details and court procedures. But you can't search cases for free on this site. It sends you to Alacourt if you want detailed records.
AlaFile Electronic Filing
If you're in an Autauga County case, you can file papers online through AlaFile at https://efile.alacourt.gov/. Attorneys use this a lot. You need to sign up first. It's really for people who have active cases, not for the public to search records.
Types of Family Court Cases
Divorce and Legal Separation
Autauga County Circuit Court handles divorce filings under Alabama Code § 30-2-1. Both contested and uncontested divorces go through here. You or your spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before you file - that's needed by § 30-2-4. The divorce file will have the complaint, the answer, any temporary orders, settlement papers if you reached an agreement, and the final decree that ends the marriage.
Child Custody and Visitation
Judges decide custody based on what's best for the child under Alabama Code § 30-3-1. The court can give sole custody to one parent. Or joint legal custody where both make big decisions. Or joint physical custody where the child lives with both parents. Custody records are now confidential effective January 2025 - new Alabama court privacy rules changed this. You can only see these records if you're a party to the case or if you get a court order saying you're allowed access.
Child Support
Child support orders in Autauga County follow state guidelines. These are in Title 30, Chapter 6 of the Alabama Code. The Circuit Clerk keeps payment records. Also modification orders when amounts change. If someone doesn't pay, enforcement actions go through the Circuit Court working with the Alabama Department of Human Resources Child Support Enforcement Division.
Protection from Abuse
Victims of domestic violence can ask for protection orders under Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 5. Take your petition to the Circuit Clerk. There's no filing fee for these. Ex parte orders can be issued the same day - these are emergency orders that take effect right away. A full hearing usually happens within 10 days where both sides can speak.
Fees for Records and Services
Autauga County charges fees for records and services. The fees below are typical but might change, so call the Circuit Clerk to confirm what you'll pay before you go.
- Case Search Fee: Varies by request type; contact clerk for details
- Copy Fee: Typically $0.50 per page
- Certified Copies: $3 to $5 per document plus per-page copying fees
- Exemplified Copies: Additional fee for authentication seal
- Alacourt Subscription: Monthly or annual subscription fees (not controlled by county)
The Circuit Clerk's office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Some Alabama counties also take credit or debit cards but charge you extra for handling. Best to call Autauga County ahead of time to see what payment methods they accept so you bring the right form of payment when you visit.
Legal Framework and Statutes
19th Judicial Circuit
Autauga County is in the 19th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also has Chilton and Elmore Counties. One circuit judge runs court operations across all three counties per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.
Jurisdiction Over Family Matters
The Circuit Court handles divorces, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and other family matters under Alabama law. These are courts of record. That means they can issue binding orders. Those orders are enforceable throughout Alabama and in other states through interstate compacts.
Key Statutes
- Alabama Code § 30-2-1 - Grounds for divorce
- Alabama Code § 30-2-4 - Residency requirements
- Alabama Code § 30-3-1 - Child custody determinations
- Alabama Code § 12-17-24.2 - Family court jurisdiction (applicable to circuits with established family court divisions)
How to Request Records
In-Person Requests
Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 134 North Court St Rm 114 in Prattville during work hours. Bring your ID. You'll need the case number or both parties' full names. Staff can search for cases and make copies while you wait - though this depends on how busy they are and if the records are easy to get to. Some older files might be in storage and take longer to pull.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Put in the case number or both parties' full names. Add when the case was filed (even if it's just an estimate). Include your phone number and address. Send payment for search and copy fees. Mail requests take time - usually 2 to 4 weeks.
Phone Inquiries
Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (334) 358-6801 for basic case status info. They can tell you if a case exists. They can give you general procedural info. But they can't give detailed case information over the phone - privacy rules prevent that.
Online Access
Subscribe to Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/ for immediate online access. This is the fastest way to search and review court papers from your computer.
Local Resources
Legal Services Alabama
Autauga County residents who don't make much money can get free legal help from Legal Services Alabama. They help with divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995. Or visit https://legalservicesalabama.org/.
Alabama Legal Help
You can get self-help forms and instructions at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/. This website has downloadable forms for divorce, custody modifications, and other family law cases.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at https://www.alabar.org/for-the-public/get-legal-help/. They can connect you with family law attorneys in Autauga County and nearby areas.
Cities in Autauga County
Autauga County doesn't have any cities with more than 50,000 people. Prattville is the county seat and the biggest town here, but it's still under that threshold so it doesn't have its own page on this site.
If you live in Prattville or anywhere else in Autauga County, call the Circuit Clerk's office in Prattville for family court records and filings.
Nearby Counties
Autauga County sits next to several other Alabama counties. If a family court case was filed in a nearby county, call that county's Circuit Clerk: