Montgomery County Family Court Records
Family court records in Montgomery County are kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Montgomery, Alabama's state capital. Montgomery County is the seventh most populous county with about 228,954 residents. Montgomery serves as both the county seat and state capital with a population of 193,703. The 15th Judicial Circuit has an established Family Court Division with dedicated judges and resources per Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. Gina Jobe Ishman serves as Circuit Clerk. The well-resourced state capital courthouse gives comprehensive family court services. Records can be accessed through Alacourt subscription, in-person visits, or written requests. Child custody records are confidential effective January 2025.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Contact Information
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office keeps all family court case files and records for Montgomery County. Gina Jobe Ishman serves as Circuit Clerk. The office processes new filings, keeps custody orders, and gives copies of court documents to authorized requestors.
Address:
PO Box 1667
Montgomery, AL 36102
Phone: (334) 832-1260
County Website: https://montgomery.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
Montgomery County's 15th Judicial Circuit has a Family Court Division established by local law, as specifically mentioned in Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1. The Family Court has dedicated judges and staff with specialized knowledge in domestic relations matters. The state capital courthouse gives well-resourced facilities 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.
Online Access to Court Records
Alacourt Access System
Montgomery 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.
County-Specific Website
Montgomery County keeps online resources at montgomery.alacourt.gov with information about the circuit court, clerk contact details, and court procedures.
AlaFile Electronic Filing
Parties and attorneys can file documents electronically using AlaFile at https://efile.alacourt.gov/. You need to register.
Types of Family Court Cases
Divorce and Legal Separation
Montgomery 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.
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 are confidential effective January 2025.
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.
Protection from Abuse
Domestic violence victims can petition for protection orders under Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 5. No filing fee is needed.
Fees for Records and Services
Montgomery County charges fees for records searches, copies, and certified documents:
- 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
- Alacourt Subscription: Monthly or annual fees set by state
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and in some cases credit or debit cards with an additional processing fee.
Legal Framework and Statutes
15th Judicial Circuit Family Court
The 15th Judicial Circuit serves Montgomery County exclusively. The circuit has an established Family Court Division as authorized by Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1, which specifically mentions the Fifteenth Circuit.
Key Statutes
- Alabama Code § 12-17-24.1 - Family Court divisions (15th 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
How to Request Records
In-Person Requests
Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Montgomery during work hours. Bring identification and give the case number or the names of both parties.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to PO Box 1667, Montgomery, AL 36102. Include the case number or full names of both parties, approximate filing date, and your contact information.
Phone Inquiries
Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (334) 832-1260 for basic case status info.
Online Access
Subscribe to Alacourt Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/ for immediate online access to case records.
Local Resources
Legal Services Alabama
Low-income Montgomery County residents can get free legal help from Legal Services Alabama. Call 1-866-456-4995 or visit https://legalservicesalabama.org/.
Alabama Legal Help
Self-help forms and instructions are available at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral
Visit https://www.alabar.org/for-the-public/get-legal-help/ to connect with family law attorneys.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County contains one city with a population over 50,000:
Residents of Montgomery and other Montgomery County communities file family court cases through the Circuit Clerk in Montgomery.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery 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: