Access Barbour County Family Court Records

Family court records in Barbour County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Eufaula (the county seat is Clayton, but the clerk office is in Eufaula). These records cover divorce cases, child custody decisions, child support orders, paternity cases, and protection from abuse petitions. The 3rd Circuit covers Barbour and Bullock Counties and has a Family Court Division with its own judges and resources per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. Paige Smith is the Circuit Clerk. You can get records through Alacourt online. Or visit the courthouse in person. Or send a written request to the clerk. Custody case details are confidential under Alabama court privacy rules that took effect in January 2025.

Circuit Clerk Contact Information

Barbour County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all family court case files and records for Barbour County. Paige Smith 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.

Address:
303 East Broad St. Rm. 201, Eufaula, AL 36027

Phone: (334) 687-1500

County Website: https://barbour.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

Barbour County family court records are on Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/. You requires a paid subscription. The statewide database shows party names, case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Some scanned court papers are available too - though this depends on how old the case is and if records have been digitized yet.

County-Specific Website

Barbour County has its own website with info about the circuit court, clerk contact details, and court procedures. Visit barbour.alacourt.gov/ for more info.

AlaFile Electronic Filing

If you're in a Barbour County case, you can file papers online through AlaFile at https://efile.alacourt.gov/. You need to register first. It's really for people in active cases, not the general public.

Types of Family Court Cases

Divorce and Legal Separation

Barbour County Circuit Court handles contested and uncontested divorces under Alabama Code § 30-2-1. You or your spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before filing - § 30-2-4 requires this. Divorce files cover the complaint, answer, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and final decree.

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, joint legal custody, or joint physical custody. Custody records became confidential in January 2025 under new Alabama court privacy rules. You can only see these if you're a party to the case or have a court order.

Child Support

Child support orders in Barbour County follow state guidelines from Title 30, Chapter 6 of the Alabama Code. The Circuit Clerk keeps payment records. Also modification orders. 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. No filing fee is needed. Ex parte orders can be issued the same day. Full hearings usually happen within 10 days.

Fees for Records and Services

Barbour County charges fees for records and services. Fees might change, so call the Circuit Clerk to check current rates 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 extra for handling. Call ahead to see what payment methods Barbour County accepts.

Legal Framework and Statutes

3rd Judicial Circuit

Barbour County is in the 3rd Judicial Circuit along with Bullock County. The circuit judge runs court operations 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. They can issue binding orders. Those orders are enforceable in Alabama and other states.

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

How to Request Records

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Eufaula (303 East Broad St. Rm. 201) during work hours. Bring your ID. Give them the case number or both parties' names. Staff can search and give you copies while you wait if they're not too busy and the records are easy to get.

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. Include your phone and address. Send payment for search and copy fees. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks usually.

Phone Inquiries

Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (334) 687-1500 for basic case status info. They can tell you if a case exists. They can give general procedural info. But privacy rules prevent them from giving detailed case information over the phone.

Online Access

Subscribe to Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/ for online access right away. This is the fastest way to search and review court papers.

Local Resources

Legal Services Alabama

If you live in Barbour County and don't make much money, you 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 forms you can download 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 Barbour County and nearby areas.

Cities in Barbour County

Barbour County doesn't have any cities with more than 50,000 people. Clayton is the county seat but it's too small for its own page here.

All Barbour County residents should call the Circuit Clerk's office in Eufaula for family court records and filings.

Nearby Counties

Barbour 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.