Search Jefferson County Divorce Decrees
Jefferson County divorce decrees are maintained by the Circuit Clerk offices in Birmingham and Bessemer. As Alabama's most populous county with over 664,000 residents, Jefferson County operates a dual division system to serve its population. The Birmingham Division is the main courthouse at 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420, Birmingham, AL 35203. The Bessemer Division serves the western portion of the county. The Family Court handles all divorce and domestic relations cases. Call (205) 325-5355 for the Birmingham Division or (205) 325-5803 for the Adult Docket. The 10th Judicial Circuit covers Jefferson County exclusively. Records are public and can be accessed online or in person.
Circuit Clerk Offices
Jefferson County has two Circuit Clerk divisions. The Birmingham Division is the primary location at 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Room 420, Birmingham, AL 35203. Phone (205) 325-5355 for general inquiries. Email Jefferson@vote.alabama.gov for questions. The Bessemer Division serves residents in western Jefferson County. Contact information for Bessemer is available through the Alabama Secretary of State.
The Family Court operates separately from the main Circuit Court. It is located at 120 2nd Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204. Call (205) 325-5803 for Adult Docket inquiries. Call (205) 325-5444 for Juvenile Docket inquiries. The Family Court Division specifically handles divorce, custody, and other domestic relations matters.
Office hours are standard business hours Monday through Friday. Visit the website at https://jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov/ for detailed information, forms, and filing instructions. The site provides comprehensive resources for people filing for divorce or seeking copies of divorce decrees.
How Much Does It Cost?
Filing fees in Jefferson County are approximately $290. This includes state and county fees as set by Alabama Code § 12-19-72. The base state fee is $145, and counties add local fees on top of this amount. Contact the Circuit Clerk to confirm the exact current fee before filing.
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost 50 cents per page. A typical decree runs 5 to 15 pages. Call ahead to estimate the total cost for your specific case. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card in most cases. Always verify accepted payment methods before visiting.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may file an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship under Alabama Code § 12-19-70. This defers the fee until the case concludes. You must demonstrate financial hardship to qualify. The court will review your affidavit and decide whether to grant the deferral.
Free Legal Help
The Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program provides free legal assistance to qualified individuals for uncontested divorces. Income limits apply. Contact the program to see if you qualify. This program helps hundreds of Jefferson County residents each year.
The Jefferson County Law Library is available to the public. It offers legal research materials, computers, and reference assistance. The library is a valuable resource if you are representing yourself. Visit https://lawlib.jccal.org/ for hours and location information.
Legal Services Alabama also serves Jefferson County residents. They provide free civil legal help to low income individuals. Divorce, custody, and family law matters are among the cases they handle. Check if you qualify at https://legalservicesalabama.org/.
Online Access Options
Jefferson County has a comprehensive online presence. The Circuit Clerk website at https://jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov/ includes forms, fee schedules, and detailed filing instructions. The official Circuit Court site is https://jefferson.alacourt.gov/. Both sites provide useful information for people seeking divorce records or filing new cases.
Search for case information using the statewide Alacourt Public Access portal at https://pa.alacourt.com/. Enter a name or case number to find cases. Results show filing dates, case status, and party names. Full divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the Family Court Clerk and Register Division to obtain certified copies.
Jefferson County participates in AlaFile, Alabama's electronic filing system. Register at https://efile.alacourt.gov/ to file documents online. Both attorneys and self represented parties can use the system. Upload documents, pay fees, and track your case electronically.
Alabama Divorce Laws
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the legal grounds for divorce in Alabama. Irretrievable breakdown is the most commonly cited ground. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, addiction, and imprisonment. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction to grant divorces and issue final decrees.
Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 requires a mandatory 30 day waiting period. The court cannot finalize a divorce until 30 days pass from the filing date. This applies to all cases in Jefferson County and across Alabama. Temporary orders for custody, support, or other matters can be issued during the wait period.
Alabama Code Title 30, Chapter 3 covers child custody and support. If your divorce involves children, these statutes govern how courts decide custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support amounts. Review these laws or consult an attorney to understand your rights and obligations.
Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets filing fees for circuit court cases. The base fee is $145, divided among state funds. Counties add local fees, which vary across Alabama. Jefferson County charges approximately $290 total for a divorce filing.
Getting Certified Copies
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, contact the Family Court Clerk and Register Division. Provide the full names of both parties. Include the approximate date of divorce if you know it. The case number helps speed up the search but is not always required. Bring photo ID when visiting in person.
For mail requests, send a written letter with your contact information. List the names of both parties and any other details you have about the case. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated fee. Add a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of your copies. Allow two to four weeks for processing by mail.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County includes Birmingham, Alabama's third largest city with 196,357 residents. Hoover is also located primarily in Jefferson County. Residents of these cities file divorce cases with the Jefferson County Circuit Court. Other cities and towns in the county use the same court system.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County is surrounded by several counties. Nearby counties include Shelby County to the south, Blount County to the northeast, St. Clair County to the east, Tuscaloosa County to the west, and Walker County to the northwest. Each county maintains its own divorce records through the Circuit Clerk office.
Find Divorce Records
Use the search tool below to access Jefferson County divorce decree records.