Search Jefferson County Family Court Records
Family court records in Jefferson County are kept through two separate Circuit Clerk divisions serving the 10th Judicial Circuit. Jefferson County is Alabama's most populous county with about 664,744 residents. The 10th Circuit has an established Family Court Division with dedicated family court judges and staff handling divorce, custody, child support, parental rights, spousal support, and protection from abuse cases per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. The Family Court Division is located at 120 2nd Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204. Jackie Anderson-Smith serves as Circuit Clerk in Birmingham, and Karen Dunn Burks serves as Circuit Clerk in Bessemer. Records can be accessed through Alacourt subscription, in-person at either clerk office, or by written request. effective January 2025, child custody case files are confidential under Alabama Supreme Court privacy rules.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Divisions
Birmingham Division - Jackie Anderson-Smith
The Birmingham division serves the majority of Jefferson County including the city of Birmingham and surrounding communities.
Address:
716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5355
County Website:
https://jefferson.alacourt.gov/
Circuit Clerk Website
Bessemer Division - Karen Dunn Burks
The Bessemer division serves the western portion of Jefferson County including Bessemer and nearby areas.
Address:
1851 2nd Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 497-8510
Jefferson County has two Circuit Clerk divisions due to its large population and geographic area. Call the appropriate division based on where your case was filed. If unsure which division handles your matter, call either office for guidance.
Family Court Division
Established Family Court
Jefferson County's 10th Judicial Circuit has a Family Court Division established by local law, as specifically mentioned in Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. The court keeps dedicated judges and specialized staff trained in all aspects of domestic relations law. The Family Court is located at 120 2nd Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204. This dedicated division gives comprehensive services for all family law matters in Alabama's most populous county.
Contact Information
The Family Court Division runs with separate dockets for juvenile and adult matters:
- Juvenile Docket: (205) 325-5444
- Adult Docket: (205) 325-5803
- Family Court Address: 120 2nd Ct. North, Birmingham, AL 35204
The Family Court website is available at www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=251&pg=Family+Court. The site gives comprehensive information about court procedures, forms, and self-help resources.
Jurisdiction
The Family Court Division exercises jurisdiction over divorce, annulments, legal separations, paternity, child custody and visitation, child support, parental rights termination, spousal support, and protection from abuse orders per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.2. The court handles both initial filings and post-judgment modifications of existing orders.
Online Access to Court Records
Alacourt Access System
Jefferson County family court records are available through the Alacourt Access subscription service at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This statewide database gives electronic access to case information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, dockets, and scanned documents when available. Subscribers can search by case number, party name, or attorney. This is the fastest way to look up case status and review court filings.
County-Specific Websites
Jefferson County keeps excellent online resources at jefferson.alacourt.gov and jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov. The Family Court has its own dedicated website at www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=251&pg=Family+Court with forms, contact information, and procedural guidance.
AlaFile Electronic Filing
Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using AlaFile at https://efile.alacourt.gov/. You need to register. Electronic filing is available 24 hours a day and gives immediate confirmation of submission. Many family court documents can be filed electronically once the case is opened.
Types of Family Court Cases
Divorce and Legal Separation
Jefferson County Family Court processes contested and uncontested divorce filings under Alabama Code § 30-2-1. Either party must be an Alabama resident for at least six months before filing per § 30-2-4. Legal separations are handled under § 30-2-40. Annulments are available when statutory grounds exist. The Family Court Division has specialized judges experienced in resolving complex property division and alimony disputes.
Child Custody and Visitation
Custody determinations are made based on the best interests of the child under Alabama Code § 30-3-1. The Family Court may award sole custody, joint legal custody, or joint physical custody. Parenting plans establish visitation schedules. Custody records are confidential effective January 2025 under Alabama Supreme Court privacy rules. Modifications can be filed when there is a material change in circumstances.
Child Support
Child support orders follow the Alabama Child Support Guidelines in Title 30, Chapter 6. The Circuit Clerk's office keeps payment records and processes modifications. Enforcement is coordinated with the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The court can order income withholding, suspend licenses, and impose other enforcement remedies for non-payment. Both initial support orders and modifications are handled through the Family Court Division.
Protection from Abuse
Domestic violence victims can petition for protection orders under Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 5. No filing fee is needed. Ex parte orders can be issued the same day. Full hearings are usually scheduled within 10 days. Protection orders can cover no-call provisions, temporary custody, and exclusive use of a residence. The Family Court Division gives streamlined handling of protection from abuse petitions.
Paternity and Parental Rights
Paternity actions establish legal father-child relationships. These cases can find out custody, visitation, and child support obligations. Termination of parental rights cases are also handled by the Family Court Division in appropriate circumstances, including adoptions and cases involving abuse or neglect.
Legal Framework and Statutes
10th Judicial Circuit Family Court
The 10th Judicial Circuit serves Jefferson County exclusively. The circuit has an established Family Court Division with dedicated resources as authorized by Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1, which specifically mentions the Tenth Circuit as having a family court structure established by local law. This makes Jefferson County one of only eight judicial circuits in Alabama with a dedicated family court division.
Key Statutes
- Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1 - Family Court divisions (10th Circuit specifically mentioned)
- Alabama Code § 12-17-24.2 - Family Court jurisdiction
- Alabama Code § 30-2-1 - Grounds for divorce
- Alabama Code § 30-3-1 - Child custody
- Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 5 - Protection from abuse
How to Request Records
Determine Which Division
Jefferson County has two Circuit Clerk divisions. Call the Birmingham division for cases filed at the Birmingham courthouse, or the Bessemer division for cases filed in Bessemer. If you are unsure which division keeps your records, call either office and staff can direct you to the correct location.
In-Person Requests
Visit the appropriate Circuit Clerk division during work hours. Bring valid identification and give the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can search and give copies depending on availability. For Family Court records, you can also visit the Family Court Division at 120 2nd Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the appropriate Circuit Clerk division. Include the case number or full names of both parties, approximate filing date, and your contact information. handling usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Address your request to either the Birmingham or Bessemer division based on where the case was filed.
Phone Inquiries
Call the Birmingham division at (205) 325-5355 or the Bessemer division at (205) 497-8510 for general case information. For Family Court matters, call the Juvenile Docket at (205) 325-5444 or Adult Docket at (205) 325-5803. Detailed information may be restricted due to confidentiality rules, especially for custody cases.
Online Access
Subscribe to Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/ for immediate online access to case records from both divisions. This is the fastest method for searching and reviewing documents. Subscription fees apply.
FOIA Requests
For formal records requests, call the Circuit Clerk's office in the appropriate division. Family Court records are available through the clerk but some files may be sealed or restricted based on confidentiality rules, especially cases involving children.
Local Resources
Legal Services Alabama
Low-income Jefferson County residents can get free legal help from Legal Services Alabama for divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 or visit https://legalservicesalabama.org/. Eligibility is based on income and case type.
Alabama Legal Help
Self-help forms and instructions are available at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/. The website gives downloadable forms for divorce, custody modifications, child support, and protection orders. Step-by-step instructions guide users through completing forms correctly.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral service can connect people with family law attorneys in Jefferson County. Visit https://www.alabar.org/for-the-public/get-legal-help/ for more info. Initial consultations with referred attorneys usually cost a nominal fee.
Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program gives pro bono legal services to low-income Jefferson County residents in civil matters including family law. contact information and eligibility requirements are available through local bar associations and legal aid organizations.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County contains two cities with populations over 50,000:
Residents of Birmingham, Hoover, and other Jefferson County communities file family court cases through either the Birmingham or Bessemer Circuit Clerk division depending on location. The dedicated Family Court Division at 120 2nd Court North in Birmingham handles all domestic relations matters countywide.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County is bordered by several other Alabama counties. If a family court case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, call that county's Circuit Clerk: