Access Lawrence County Family Court Records

Family court records in Lawrence County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Moulton. These records cover divorce proceedings, child custody determinations, child support orders, paternity cases, and protection from abuse petitions. The 34th Circuit (Franklin and Lawrence Counties) has an established Family Court Division with dedicated judges and resources per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. Sandra Ligon serves as Circuit Clerk. Records can be accessed through the Alacourt system, in-person visits to the courthouse, or written requests submitted to the clerk. Custody case details are confidential under Alabama court privacy rules effective January 2025.

Circuit Clerk Contact Information

Lawrence County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all family court case files and records for Lawrence County. Sandra Ligon serves as Circuit Clerk. The office processes new filings, keeps custody orders, and gives copies of court documents to authorized requestors.

Address:
PO Box 249, Moulton, AL 35650

Phone: (256) 974-2438

County Website: https://lawrence.alacourt.gov/

people seeking family court records should call this office during work hours to ask about specific cases or request certified copies of documents.

Online Access to Court Records

Alacourt Access System

Lawrence 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, and case status. Scanned court documents may be available depending on the age of the case and whether records have been digitized.

County-Specific Website

Lawrence County has a dedicated subdomain that gives information about the circuit court, clerk contact details, and court procedures. Visit lawrence.alacourt.gov/ for more info.

AlaFile Electronic Filing

Parties and attorneys in Lawrence County cases can use the AlaFile system at https://efile.alacourt.gov/ to file documents electronically. This system requires registration and is primarily used by active case participants rather than the general public.

Types of Family Court Cases

Divorce and Legal Separation

Lawrence County Circuit Court processes contested and uncontested divorce filings under Alabama Code § 30-2-1. Either party must have been a resident of Alabama for at least six months before filing per § 30-2-4. Divorce records cover the complaint, answer, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and final decree.

Child Custody and Visitation

Custody determinations are made based on the best interests of the child under Alabama Code § 30-3-1. The court may award sole custody, joint legal custody, or joint physical custody. Custody records became confidential effective January 2025 under updated Alabama court privacy rules. Access requires you to be a party to the case or obtaining a court order.

Child Support

Child support orders in Lawrence County follow the Alabama Child Support Guidelines established in Title 30, Chapter 6 of the Alabama Code. The Circuit Clerk keeps payment records and modification orders. Enforcement actions are handled by the Circuit Court in coordination with the Alabama Department of Human Resources Child Support Enforcement Division.

Protection from Abuse

Victims of domestic violence can petition for protection orders under Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 5. The Circuit Clerk accepts these petitions, and no filing fee is needed. Ex parte orders can be issued the same day, with full hearings usually scheduled within 10 days.

Fees for Records and Services

Lawrence County charges the following fees for family court records and services. Fees might change, so call the Circuit Clerk for current rates.

• 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)

Payment methods accepted at the Circuit Clerk's office usually include cash, check, and money order. Some counties accept credit or debit cards with an additional processing fee. Call the clerk's office to confirm accepted payment methods.

Legal Framework and Statutes

34th Circuit (Franklin and Lawrence Counties)

Lawrence County is part of the 34th Circuit (Franklin and Lawrence Counties). The presiding circuit judge oversees court operations per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.

Jurisdiction Over Family Matters

The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over divorces, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and other domestic relations matters under Alabama law. Circuit Courts are courts of record with authority to issue binding orders enforceable throughout Alabama and 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

How to Request Records

In-Person Requests

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Moulton during work hours. Bring identification and give the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can search and give copies while you wait, depending on workload and record availability.

Mail Requests

Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the case number or full names of both parties, the approximate date of filing, and your contact information. Enclose payment for search and copying fees. Processing time for mail requests usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Phone Inquiries

Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (256) 974-2438 for basic case status info. Due to privacy rules, detailed case information may not be provided over the phone. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and give general procedural info.

Online Access

Subscribe to Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/ for immediate online access to case records. This is the fastest method for searching and reviewing court documents electronically.

Local Resources

Legal Services Alabama

Lawrence County residents who qualify based on income can get free legal help from Legal Services Alabama. Services include help with divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. Call the statewide intake line at 1-866-456-4995 or visit https://legalservicesalabama.org/.

Alabama Legal Help

Self-help forms and instructions for family court cases are available at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/. This website gives downloadable forms for divorce, custody modifications, and other family law proceedings.

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/ to connect people with family law attorneys in Lawrence County and surrounding areas.

Cities in Lawrence County

Lawrence County doesn't contain any cities with a population over 50,000. The county seat of Moulton is the primary municipality but doesn't meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

All Lawrence County residents should call the Circuit Clerk's office in Moulton for family court records and filing needs.

Nearby Counties

Lawrence County is bordered by several other Alabama counties. If a family court case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, call the Circuit Clerk in that county.