Tuscaloosa Divorce Decree Lookup

Tuscaloosa divorce decree records are maintained by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court at 714 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama and has a population of approximately 99,543. The county is part of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Call (205) 349-3870 ext. 355 for information about divorce filings. Family Court cases are adjudicated in Circuit Court. You can search cases online through Alacourt or obtain certified copies in person or by mail. Legal aid is available through Legal Services Corporation of Alabama for those who qualify based on income.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court

Tuscaloosa is in Tuscaloosa County. All divorce cases for Tuscaloosa residents are filed with the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The courthouse is at 714 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Phone (205) 349-3870 ext. 355 for information about Family Court cases.

Tuscaloosa County is part of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county. Family Court cases are adjudicated within the Circuit Court system.

Filing for Divorce

To file a divorce in Tuscaloosa, visit the Circuit Clerk office at 714 Greensboro Ave. Bring your completed forms and filing fee. 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. AlaFile is at https://efile.alacourt.gov/. Register for free and upload your documents as PDFs. Pay the filing fee online. Electronic filing is available 24/7 and saves time.

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. This is the mandatory waiting period. Most uncontested cases are complete within 30 to 60 days total.

What Are the Costs?

Tuscaloosa County filing fees are $290 for cases with no children and $390 for cases with children. These amounts were current as of recent records. Call (205) 349-3870 ext. 355 to confirm the current fee before filing.

Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets a base state fee of $145. Tuscaloosa County adds local fees on top of this amount. The total varies based on whether children are involved in the case.

If you cannot afford the fee, file an In Forma Pauperis form. This requests a fee waiver for low income filers. The fee is deferred until the case ends. You must show financial hardship to qualify. Alabama Code § 12-19-70 allows this option.

Certified copies cost 50 cents per page. Service of process adds $25 to $50. Attorney fees range from $2,000 to $15,000 for complex cases. Cases with children are especially complex and often benefit from legal representation.

Obtaining Certified Copies

To get a certified copy of a Tuscaloosa divorce decree, contact the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk at (205) 349-3870 ext. 355. Visit in person at 714 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Bring 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 Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk, 714 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. 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 Tuscaloosa divorce cases using Alacourt Public Access at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This free statewide database covers all Alabama counties. 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 Clerk to obtain certified copies.

AlaFile at https://efile.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.

Free Legal Help

Legal Services Corporation of Alabama has a Tuscaloosa regional office. Call (205) 758-7503 for information. They are located at 1351 McFarland Blvd E, 11th Floor, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404. They handle divorce, bankruptcy, and family matters. Check if you qualify for free assistance based on income.

Alabama Legal Help at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/ offers self help forms and guides. The site includes step by step instructions for uncontested divorces. Videos and frequently asked questions are available. This is useful if you are representing yourself without an attorney.

For cases with children or contested issues, hire an attorney. Divorces with children are especially complex. An attorney can help with custody, visitation, and child support issues. They protect your rights and handle the legal process.

Call 311 or (205) 248-5311 for non emergency city services in Tuscaloosa. The courthouse can also provide referrals to local attorneys who handle family law cases.

Alabama Divorce Statutes

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, Montgomery, and Mobile. Each city's residents file with their county of residence. Birmingham residents file with Jefferson County. Montgomery residents file with Montgomery County. Mobile residents file with Mobile County.

For more details about Tuscaloosa County divorce procedures, visit the Tuscaloosa County page.

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