Autauga County Divorce Decrees
Divorce decrees in Autauga County are issued by the Circuit Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Prattville. The clerk keeps all divorce case files from the 19th Judicial Circuit. Anyone can access these records by visiting the office or submitting a written request. Certified copies are available for a fee. The Circuit Clerk is located at 134 North Court Street, Room 114, Prattville, AL 36067. Alabama law requires a 30 day wait before any final decree can be signed. Office hours are Monday through Friday, but they close during lunch.
Circuit Clerk Contact Info
The Autauga County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records. Debra Hill serves as Circuit Clerk. The office is in Room 114 of the courthouse on North Court Street in Prattville. Call ahead at (334) 358-6801 to verify hours or ask questions. The office is open from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM, then reopens from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM each weekday. They close for lunch.
When you visit, bring a photo ID. You need the full names of both parties in the divorce. If you have the case number, bring that too. The approximate date helps if you do not have a case number. Staff can search the database to locate the case. Most requests are processed quickly if the case is found.
For mail requests, send a letter with your name and contact information. Include the names of both parties and any other details you have about the case. Enclose payment for the certified copies. Add a self addressed stamped envelope so they can mail the copies back to you. Allow up to two weeks for processing. If the case cannot be located, the office will notify you.
How to Get Copies
Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record costs $6. Payment can be made by cash or check. Some offices accept credit cards, but call to confirm before visiting. The fee covers the cost of printing and the certification. The Circuit Clerk stamps each page with an official seal.
A certified copy is a legal document. Banks and government agencies require certified copies for name changes, loan applications, and other official business. If you only need to review the decree, you can view it in the office for free. Viewing does not cost anything. Only copies have a fee.
If you are filing for a new divorce, the filing fee is approximately $200 to $350. This is separate from the cost of obtaining certified copies of old decrees. Filing fees in Autauga County follow state law. Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets the base fee for circuit court cases. Counties may add local fees on top of this base amount.
Online Case Search
Search for Autauga County cases online using the Alacourt Public Access portal. The site is free to use. No account is needed. Enter a name or case number to search. Results show basic case information such as filing date, case status, and party names. The full divorce decree is not available online. You must contact the Circuit Clerk to obtain the actual document.
The county website at https://autauga.alacourt.gov/ provides additional court information. Check the site for forms, filing instructions, and office announcements. The 19th Judicial Circuit covers Autauga and Elmore counties. Both counties share the same circuit but have separate clerk offices.
Alabama Divorce Laws
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the legal grounds for divorce. The most common ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, and imprisonment. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all divorce cases in Autauga County.
Alabama Code § 30-2-5 sets the residency requirement. At least one spouse must be an Alabama resident before filing. If only one spouse lives in Alabama, that person must be a resident for six months prior to filing. If both spouses live in Alabama, no waiting period applies. You file in the county where you or your spouse resides.
Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 mandates a 30 day waiting period. The court cannot finalize the divorce until 30 days have passed from the filing date. This law applies to all Alabama divorces. During the 30 days, the court may issue temporary orders for custody, support, or other urgent matters. The final decree comes after the wait period ends.
Divorce records are public under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. Any person can access these records. The Circuit Clerk cannot refuse a request unless the court has sealed the file. Sealed records require a court order to access. Most divorce cases in Autauga County are not sealed.
What the Records Show
A divorce decree contains the final order from the judge. It lists the names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the grounds for divorce. The decree also includes terms on property division, debt allocation, and spousal support if applicable. If the couple has children, the decree covers custody, visitation, and child support.
The decree is signed by a Circuit Court judge. The clerk stamps it with the official seal. This makes it a certified court document. Each page is numbered. The decree can range from a few pages to over a dozen pages depending on the complexity of the case.
Divorce certificates are different from decrees. A certificate is a one page summary issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health. It shows only basic facts such as names, date, and place of divorce. Certificates cost $15 and are useful for simple proof of divorce. For legal purposes, most situations require the full decree from the Circuit Clerk.
Can Records Be Restricted?
Most divorce records in Autauga County are public. However, a judge can seal a case file in certain situations. Domestic violence cases may be sealed to protect a party. Cases involving confidential financial information or trade secrets can also be sealed. The court decides on a case by case basis.
If a record is sealed, only the parties to the case can access it. You need a court order to view sealed records. The general public cannot obtain these files. The Circuit Clerk will inform you if a case is sealed when you request it.
Nearby Counties
Autauga County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit along with Elmore County. Other nearby counties include Chilton County, Dallas County, Lowndes County, and Montgomery County. Each county has its own Circuit Clerk office that maintains divorce records for cases filed in that county.
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