Barbour County Divorce Decree Search
Barbour County divorce decrees are maintained through the Circuit Clerk offices in both Clayton and Eufaula. The county seat is Clayton, where the main courthouse is located at 1 Court Square. A second courthouse operates in Eufaula. Divorce records can be obtained from either location. The 3rd Judicial Circuit handles all divorce cases. Mail requests should be sent to PO Box 219, Clayton, AL 36016. Call (334) 775-8366 for questions. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Both locations maintain official records for divorce cases filed in Barbour County.
Dual Courthouse System
Barbour County operates two courthouse locations. The main courthouse is in Clayton, the county seat. A second courthouse serves residents in Eufaula. Both locations handle court business for the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Divorce records from either courthouse can be requested from the Clayton office.
The Clayton Division is located at 1 Court Square, Clayton, AL 36106. The mailing address is PO Box 219, Clayton, AL 36016. Phone (334) 775-8366 to reach this office. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST on weekdays. The Eufaula courthouse also serves as an alternate venue for some court proceedings. Contact the Clayton office for records from either location.
Getting Certified Copies
Contact the Circuit Clerk office for the current fee schedule. Standard Alabama rates apply for certified copies. Most counties charge 50 cents per page. A typical divorce decree runs several pages. Call ahead to estimate the total cost.
When visiting in person, bring photo ID. Provide the full names of both parties in the divorce. If you know the case number, bring that. The approximate date of divorce helps if you lack a case number. The clerk will search the database to find the case.
For mail requests, include the following information in your letter:
- Your full name and contact information
- Names of both parties in the divorce
- Approximate date or year of divorce
- Case number if available
Enclose a money order payable to Barbour County Circuit Clerk. Include a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of your certified copies. Allow up to two weeks for processing. If the case is not found, the office will notify you.
Online Case Lookup
Search Barbour County divorce cases using the Alacourt Public Access system at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This free statewide database includes cases from all Alabama counties. Enter a name or case number to search. Results show basic case details such as filing date, status, and party names. The full divorce decree is not available online.
The official Barbour County Circuit Court website is https://barbour.alacourt.gov/. Visit this site for court information, contact details, and general procedural guidance. Divorce cases are handled through the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court.
Alabama Divorce Laws
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the grounds for divorce. Common grounds include irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, adultery, and abandonment. The Circuit Court has authority to grant divorces and issue final decrees in Barbour County.
Under Alabama Code § 30-2-5, at least one spouse must be an Alabama resident. If only one spouse resides in Alabama, that person must have lived here for six months before filing. If both spouses are Alabama residents, no waiting period is required. File in the county where either spouse lives.
Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 requires a 30 day waiting period. The court cannot finalize a divorce until 30 days have passed since the filing date. This mandatory wait applies to all cases. The court may issue temporary orders during this period for custody, support, or other urgent matters.
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 makes divorce records public. Any person can access these records unless a court has sealed the file. The Circuit Clerk must provide copies upon request and payment of the required fee. Sealed records require a court order to access.
Are Records Public?
Yes. Divorce records in Barbour County are public documents. Anyone can obtain copies by visiting the Circuit Clerk office or sending a written request. You do not need to be a party to the case. Alabama law grants public access to court records maintained by the clerk.
However, a judge can seal a case in limited circumstances. Domestic violence cases or cases involving confidential business information may be sealed. If a case is sealed, only the parties to the case can access the records. The general public cannot view sealed files without a court order.
What Records Contain
A divorce decree is the final court order ending a marriage. It includes the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the legal grounds. The decree also outlines property division, debt allocation, and spousal support if any. If children are involved, it covers custody, visitation, and child support.
The decree is signed by a Circuit Court judge and stamped with the official court seal. Each page is numbered and certified. A certified copy is a legal document accepted by banks, government agencies, and other institutions.
Divorce certificates are different. The Alabama Department of Public Health issues certificates, which are one page summaries. They show only basic facts like names, date, and place of divorce. For most legal purposes, the full decree from the Circuit Clerk is required.
Nearby Counties
Barbour County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit along with Bullock County. Other nearby counties include Pike County, Dale County, Henry County, and Russell County. Each county maintains divorce records through its own Circuit Clerk office.
Search Divorce Records
Start your search for Barbour County divorce decrees using the tool below.