Tuscaloosa County Divorce Decree Search
Tuscaloosa County divorce decrees are maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Tuscaloosa. The city of Tuscaloosa is Alabama's fifth largest city with over 114,000 residents. It is home to the University of Alabama. Magaria H. Bobo serves as Circuit Clerk. The office is at 714 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Call (205) 349-3870 for general information. Email alafilenotices@alacourt.gov for questions. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The 6th Judicial Circuit handles all divorce cases. All divorce records are public under Alabama law. Certified copies are available for a fee by visiting the office or submitting a written request.
Circuit Clerk Office
The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk office is at 714 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Magaria H. Bobo serves as Circuit Clerk. Phone (205) 349-3870 to reach the office. Email alafilenotices@alacourt.gov with questions. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
To request divorce records, 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. Most requests are processed quickly when accurate information is provided.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of divorce decrees typically cost 50 cents per page. A standard divorce decree runs 5 to 15 pages. Contact the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk office to confirm the current fee. 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. This saves time and prevents inconvenience.
For mail requests, send a written letter with your full name and contact information. Include the names of both parties in the divorce. Add the approximate date or year if known. Enclose a check or money order payable to Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. Include a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of your certified copies. Allow two to four weeks for processing.
Online Case Search
Search for Tuscaloosa County divorce cases using the Alacourt Public Access portal at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This free statewide database includes cases from all Alabama counties. Enter a name or case number to find case information. Results show filing dates, case status, and party names.
The official Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court website is https://tuscaloosa.alacourt.gov/. Visit this site for court information, contact details, and general procedural guidance. The Tuscaloosa County website is https://www.tuscco.com/ and includes additional county resources.
Full divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the Circuit Clerk to obtain the actual document. The online system provides basic case details only.
Filing a New Divorce
To file for divorce in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
Filing fees in Tuscaloosa County follow state law. Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets the base fee at $145. Counties may add local fees on top of this base. Contact the Circuit Clerk for the exact fee before filing. Fees typically range from $200 to $350 statewide.
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 Laws
Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the legal grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common ground. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, and imprisonment. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all divorce cases in Tuscaloosa County.
Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1 mandates a 30 day waiting period. The court cannot finalize a divorce until 30 days pass from the filing date. This applies to all cases in Alabama. Temporary orders can be issued during the wait period for custody, support, or other urgent matters.
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 access.
What the Decree Contains
A divorce decree is the final court order ending the 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 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 from decrees. 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.
Cities in Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County includes the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama's fifth largest city with over 114,000 residents. The city is home to the University of Alabama. Residents of Tuscaloosa and other cities in the county file divorce cases with the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
Tuscaloosa County is located in west central Alabama. Nearby counties include Jefferson County to the east, Bibb County to the southeast, Walker County to the north, and Fayette County to the northwest. Each county maintains divorce records through its own Circuit Clerk office.
Search Divorce Records
Use the search tool below to find Tuscaloosa County divorce decree records.