Dothan Divorce Decree Records
Dothan divorce decree records are filed with the Houston County Circuit Court at 114 N. Oates St., Dothan, AL 36303. Dothan is known as the Peanut Capital of the World and serves as the hub of the Wiregrass region with a population of approximately 71,000. Houston County is part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. You must schedule appointments with a state issued photo ID. E filing registration is available at https://alafile.alacourt.gov. You can search cases online through Alacourt or obtain certified copies in person or by mail.
Houston County Circuit Court
Dothan is in Houston County. All divorce cases for Dothan residents are filed with the Houston County Circuit Court. The courthouse is at 114 N. Oates St., Dothan, AL 36303. Houston County is part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. You must schedule appointments ahead of time. Bring a state issued photo ID when visiting in person.
The Probate Office is at 462 N. Oates St., Dothan, AL. Phone (334) 677-4701 for probate matters. Divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court, not the Probate Office.
Filing for Divorce
To file a divorce in Dothan, visit the Houston County Circuit Court at 114 N. Oates St. Schedule an appointment ahead of time. Bring your completed forms, filing fee, and a state issued photo ID. Download forms from the Alabama E-Forms Portal at https://eforms.alacourt.gov/. The Uncontested Divorce Packet includes all necessary documents for a simple uncontested case.
At least one spouse must be an Alabama resident. If your spouse lives out of state, you must be a resident for six months before filing. This is in Alabama Code § 30-2-5. If both spouses are Alabama residents, you can file immediately.
File in person at the courthouse or use AlaFile to file online. E filing registration is at https://alafile.alacourt.gov/. Register for free and upload your documents as PDFs. Pay the filing fee online with a card. Electronic filing is available 24/7 and does not require an appointment.
After filing, serve your spouse with the complaint and summons. If they agree to the divorce, they can sign a waiver. If not, a sheriff or process server must deliver the papers. Service is required before the case can proceed.
Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 requires a 30 day wait from filing to final decree. No divorce can be granted before 30 days pass. Most uncontested cases are complete within 30 to 60 days total.
Filing Fees
Houston County filing fees vary. Contact the Circuit Court at 114 N. Oates St. to confirm the current fee before filing. As of 2024, most Alabama counties charge between $200 and $350 for a divorce filing.
Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets a base state fee of $145. Counties add local fees on top of this amount. The exact total depends on whether you have children and other case factors.
If you cannot afford the fee, file an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship. This form requests a fee waiver. The fee is deferred until the case ends. You must show financial hardship to qualify. Alabama Code § 12-19-70 allows this option for those who cannot pay.
Certified copies cost 50 cents per page in most counties. Service of process adds $25 to $50. Attorney fees range from $2,000 to $15,000 for complex cases.
Obtaining Certified Copies
To get a certified copy of a Dothan divorce decree, contact the Houston County Circuit Court at 114 N. Oates St., Dothan, AL 36303. Schedule an appointment ahead of time. Bring a state issued photo ID. Provide the full names of both parties and the date of divorce if known. The case number speeds up the search.
You can view records for free at the courthouse. Fees apply only for printed or certified copies. Most counties charge 50 cents per page. A standard divorce decree is 5 to 15 pages.
By mail, send a written request to Houston County Circuit Court, 114 N. Oates St., Dothan, AL 36303. Include your contact information and details about the case. Add a check for the estimated cost. Include a return envelope with postage. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing.
Online Case Search
Search Dothan divorce cases using Alacourt Public Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This free statewide database covers all Alabama counties including Houston County. Enter a name or case number to find case details. Results show filing dates, case status, and party names. Full divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the Circuit Court to obtain certified copies.
AlaFile at https://alafile.alacourt.gov/ is for electronic filing and case management. Both attorneys and self represented parties can use it. Register for free and manage your case online. You receive electronic service of documents from other parties. This saves time and eliminates the need to schedule appointments for every filing.
Legal Aid Resources
Legal Services Alabama has a Dothan office. They provide free civil legal help to low income residents. Check if you qualify at https://legalservicesalabama.org/ or call (866) 456-4995. They handle divorce and family law matters for those who meet income requirements.
Information is also available at alabamalegalhelp.org. This site offers self help forms and guides. Step by step instructions for uncontested divorces are included. Videos and frequently asked questions are available. This is useful if you are representing yourself.
For contested cases, hire an attorney. Complex property division or custody disputes require legal representation. An attorney protects your rights and handles the legal process.
Dothan operates under a Commission Manager form of government with 6 districts. For city services, call the main city number. For divorce matters, contact the Circuit Court, not city offices.
Alabama Divorce Laws
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, and incompatibility. The Circuit Court has authority to grant divorces in Alabama.
Alabama Code § 30-2-5 sets residency requirements. At least one spouse must be an Alabama resident. If the other spouse is not a resident, the filing spouse must live in Alabama for six months before filing. If both are residents, no wait is required.
The 30 day waiting period is in Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1. No final decree can be entered before 30 days pass from the filing date. This applies to all Alabama divorces. The court may issue temporary orders during the wait period.
Divorce records are public under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. All citizens have the right to inspect public records. Divorce case files are accessible unless a court seals them. Sealed records require a court order to access.
Other Cities
Other major Alabama cities include Birmingham, Mobile, and Montgomery. Each city's residents file with their county of residence. Birmingham residents file with Jefferson County. Mobile residents file with Mobile County. Montgomery residents file with Montgomery County.
For more details about Houston County divorce procedures, visit the Houston County page.
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