Find Family Court Records in Madison County
Family court records in Madison County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Huntsville. Madison County is Alabama's second most populous county with about 388,153 residents. Huntsville serves as the county seat and is Alabama's largest city with a population of 237,413. The 23rd Judicial Circuit has an established Family Court Division with dedicated judges and staff handling all domestic relations matters per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. Debra Kizer serves as Circuit Clerk. Records can be accessed through Alacourt subscription, in-person visits, or written requests. Child custody records are confidential effective January 2025.
Madison County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Contact Information
Madison County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all family court case files and records for Madison County. Debra Kizer serves as Circuit Clerk. The office processes new filings, keeps custody orders, and gives copies of court documents to authorized requestors.
Address:
100 Northside Sq. Rm. 217
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 532-3390
County Website: https://madison.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.
Family Court Division
Established Family Court
Madison County's 23rd Judicial Circuit has a Family Court Division established by local law, as specifically mentioned in Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. The 23rd Circuit serves both Madison and Limestone Counties. The Family Court has dedicated judges who handle all domestic relations matters with specialized knowledge and focused attention. The well-resourced courthouse in Huntsville gives comprehensive services for family law cases.
Jurisdiction
The Family Court Division exercises jurisdiction over divorces, annulments, legal separations, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, and protection from abuse orders per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.2. The court handles both initial filings and modifications of existing orders.
Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
Madison County gives resources for people representing themselves in family court. Forms are available through the county website and the Alabama Legal Help website. Staff can give procedural information but can't give legal advice.
Online Access to Court Records
Alacourt Access System
Madison 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 multiple criteria.
County-Specific Website
Madison County keeps excellent online resources at madison.alacourt.gov with information about the circuit court, clerk contact details, and court procedures. This site gives valuable information for litigants and attorneys.
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.
Types of Family Court Cases
Divorce and Legal Separation
Madison 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 applicable statutes. Annulments are available when statutory grounds exist.
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.
Child Support
Child support orders follow the Alabama Child Support Guidelines in Title 30, Chapter 6. The Circuit Clerk keeps payment records and processes modifications. Enforcement is coordinated with the Alabama Department of Human Resources Child Support Enforcement 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.
Fees for Records and Services
Madison County charges fees for records searches, copies, and certified documents. Call the Circuit Clerk for current fee schedules:
- Case Search Fee: Varies by request type; contact clerk
- Copy Fee: Typically $0.50 per page
- Certified Copies: $3 to $5 per document plus copying fees
- Exemplified Copies: Additional fee for authentication seal
- Protection Order Filing: No fee required
- Alacourt Subscription: Monthly or annual fees set by state
Payment methods accepted at the Circuit Clerk's office usually include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards with an additional processing fee. Call the clerk's office to confirm accepted payment methods.
Legal Framework and Statutes
23rd Judicial Circuit Family Court
The 23rd Judicial Circuit serves Madison and Limestone Counties. The circuit has an established Family Court Division with dedicated resources as authorized by Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1, which specifically mentions the Twenty-third Circuit as having a family court structure.
Key Statutes
- Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1 - Family Court divisions (23rd Circuit 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
In-Person Requests
Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 100 Northside Sq. Rm. 217, Huntsville, AL 35801 during work hours. Bring valid identification and give the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can search and give copies on the same day depending on availability and workload.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the case number or full names of both parties, approximate filing date, and your contact information. Enclose payment if fees are known. handling usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Phone Inquiries
Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (256) 532-3390 for basic case status info. Detailed case information may not be provided over the phone due to privacy rules. 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
Low-income Madison 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/.
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.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
The Alabama State Bar lawyer referral service can connect people with family law attorneys in Madison County. Visit https://www.alabar.org/for-the-public/get-legal-help/ for more info.
Cities in Madison County
Madison County contains two cities with populations over 50,000:
Residents of these cities and other Madison County communities file family court cases through the Circuit Clerk in Huntsville.
Nearby Counties
Madison County is bordered by several other Alabama counties and Tennessee. If a family court case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, call that county's Circuit Clerk: