Bibb County Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decrees in Bibb County are issued by the Circuit Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Centreville. Kayla Cooner serves as Circuit Clerk. The office is at 35 Court Square East, Centreville, AL 35042. Call (205) 926-3103 for general information. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, then from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The office closes for lunch. Bibb County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. All divorce records are accessible to the public under Alabama law. Certified copies are available for a fee by visiting the office or submitting a mail request.
Circuit Clerk Contact
The Bibb County Circuit Clerk office is located at 35 Court Square East in Centreville. Phone (205) 926-3103 to reach the office. Kayla Cooner is the Circuit Clerk. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, but the office closes from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch. Plan your visit accordingly.
When requesting divorce records, bring photo ID. Provide the names of both parties. If you have the case number, share that too. The approximate date of divorce helps the clerk locate the file. Most requests are processed quickly when the case information is accurate.
How to Obtain Copies
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost 50 cents per page in most Alabama counties. Contact the Bibb County Circuit Clerk office to confirm the current fee. A typical divorce decree is 5 to 15 pages. Payment can be made by cash or check. Always call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods.
To request copies by mail, send a written letter with your contact information. Include the full names of both parties in the divorce. Add the approximate date or year if you know it. The case number is helpful but not required. Enclose a check or money order payable to Bibb County Circuit Clerk. Include a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of your copies. Allow two weeks for processing.
Online Case Search
Use the Alacourt Public Access portal at https://pa.alacourt.com/ to search for Bibb County divorce cases. The system is free and requires no registration. Enter a name or case number to find case information. Results display filing dates, case status, and party names. Full court documents are not available online. Contact the Circuit Clerk to obtain the actual decree.
The official Bibb County Circuit Court website is https://bibb.alacourt.gov/. Check this site for general court information, contact details, and procedural guidance. The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox counties.
Filing a New Divorce
To file for divorce in Bibb County, at least one spouse must be an Alabama resident. If only one spouse lives in Alabama, that person must have resided here for six months before filing. If both spouses are Alabama residents, no waiting period applies. File at the Circuit Clerk office in Centreville.
Filing fees in Bibb County follow state law. Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets the base fee. Counties may add local fees. Contact the Circuit Clerk for the exact fee before filing. Bring all required forms, including the complaint, summons, and settlement agreement if the divorce is uncontested.
After filing, serve your spouse with the complaint and summons. If your spouse agrees, they can sign a waiver. If not, a sheriff must serve the documents. Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 requires a 30 day wait before the court can finalize the divorce. This wait period starts from the filing date.
Alabama Divorce Statutes
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the legal grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown is the most common. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, and imprisonment. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over divorce cases in Bibb County.
Alabama Code § 30-2-5 sets residency requirements. One spouse must be an Alabama resident before filing. A six month residency period is required if the other spouse is not a resident. This ensures the court has proper jurisdiction over the case.
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 makes divorce records public. Any person can request and obtain copies of divorce decrees. The Circuit Clerk cannot refuse access unless a court has sealed the record. Sealed records are rare and require a court order to view.
What the Decree Shows
A divorce decree is the final order from the judge. It ends the marriage and resolves all related issues. The decree lists the names of both parties and the date of divorce. It also covers property division, debt allocation, and spousal support if applicable. If the couple has children, the decree includes custody, visitation, and child support terms.
The decree is signed by a Circuit Court judge and stamped with the official seal. Each page is certified by the clerk. This makes it a legal document recognized by banks, government agencies, and courts.
Nearby Counties
Bibb County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. Other counties in this circuit include Dallas County, Hale County, Perry County, and Wilcox County. Nearby counties also include Shelby County, Chilton County, and Jefferson County. Each county maintains its own divorce records through the Circuit Clerk office.
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