Morgan County, Alabama State Court Records

In Morgan County, Alabama, court records are government files that reveal information about court activities. Such records may include information about case parties, case events, and judicial actions. Also, court files can reveal details about public documents submitted during case proceedings. Documents such as arrest reports, vital records, and financial statements may be found in court records.

Morgan County court records are under the purview of the circuit court clerk's office. The clerk's office maintains and issues copies of court documents to interested parties who fulfill the legal requirements.

Are Morgan County Court Records Public?

Yes, most information in Morgan County court records is publicly accessible. The Alabama Public Records Act and the Rules of Court govern public access to court documents. Under these laws, the public may view and get copies of court records from local and state-level record custodians. The custodians are required by law to maintain channels through which the public can obtain records. For example, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides an online search portal for Morgan County court records.

Alabama state laws, however, prevent public access to specific court records. Court records are generally withheld if they contain sensitive or confidential information. For example, the law prevents public access to personal details of minors and crime victims. Other non-public court records include the following:

• Court documents that are sealed or expunged by court order or state laws.
• Mental health and medical reports filed in case proceedings.

What Information is Available in Morgan County Court Records?

Morgan County court records may reveal information on the following:

• Defendant's and plaintiff's personal information.
• Case identifiers, such as case number, indexes, status, and docket number.
• Court minutes and events.
• Filed documents.
• Judicial actions, such as orders and decrees.

Morgan County Court Records Search

Record seekers may search and obtain court records in Morgan County by using any of these options:

Online Access

The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, via the ALAcourt platform, allows online searches for court records. To find records on the portal, record seekers must create an account and fill in the case party name or number. The portal charges $9.99 per name or number-based search, while document searches incur a $5 fee.

In-Person Access

The Morgan Circuit Clerk's Office allows in-person inquiries for court records. Record seekers may submit record requests to the clerk's office during business hours at this address:

119 Lee Street Northeast

2nd Floor

Decatur, AL 35601

Phone: (256) 351-4790

Note: The circuit clerk may charge fees based on the document format and request option. Record seekers may pay the required fees using preferred options like credit/debit, money order, or cash. In addition, the clerk might request valid identification documents before releasing confidential court documents.

Mail and Phone Requests

Record seekers may submit mail requests for court records by using the following steps:

1. Complete the court record request form.
2. Attach the required fees. The clerk's office accepts money orders made payable to the Morgan County Circuit Clerk's Office.
3. Include a photocopy of a valid ID if the requested document includes confidential information.
4. Submit the documents via mail to this address:

Morgan County Circuit Clerk

P.O. Box 668

Decatur, AL 35602.

Note: The clerk's office may process record requests within two weeks of receiving them.

Fees for Court Records in Morgan County

The Morgan County Circuit Clerk's Office charges different fees based on the document type and the request option. For example, record seekers must pay $5 for the first 20 pages of photocopied court documents and $0.50 per additional page. In addition, it costs $5 to certify court documents and $25 to retrieve non-active court records.

Record seekers may qualify for fee waivers if they meet the following legal requirements:

• Have a household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty line.
• Currently receive a form of government assistance.

Morgan County Courthouse Locations

In Morgan County, the trial court system comprises the circuit court, district court, probate court, and municipal courts. The Morgan County courthouse houses all trial courts, except for the municipal court. The public may find the courts at these locations:

Morgan County Courthouse

Lee Street Northeast

Decatur, AL 35601

Phone: (256) 351-4790 (Civil Division)

Phone: (256) 351-4790 (Criminal/Traffic Division)

Phone: (256) 351-4790 (Family Division)

Phone: (256) 351-4676 (Probate Court)

Decatur Municipal Court

300 Cain Street Northeast

Decatur, AL 35601

Phone: (256) 341-4676

Criminal Records Access in Morgan County

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) handles all requests for criminal history files in Morgan County. As the official record custodian, the agency allows in-person and mail-in requests for such records. Record seekers may obtain criminal history records by using the following steps:

1. Get fingerprinted at the nearest law enforcement agency. Note that the agency may request a valid ID before taking your prints.
2. Next, complete the Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information.
3. Include a photocopy of a government-issued valid ID.
4. Attach a $25 money order or check made payable to the ALEA, Criminal Records and Identification Unit.
5. Submit the documents via mail or in-person to the ALEA at this address:

Physical Address

301 South Ripley Street

Montgomery, AL 36104 (Adams Avenue side)

Mail Address

PO Box 151

Montgomery, AL 36102-1511.

Local case records are not the same as criminal history records. The former contains comprehensive information about an individual's criminal past; it includes arrest reports, case files, conviction records, and incarceration information. Record seekers may find Morgan County criminal court records under the purview of the circuit clerk's office.

Morgan County Probate Records

In Morgan County, probate records are court files regarding probate-type cases heard at the circuit court. Probate-type cases may include administration of wills and estates, name changes, and conservatorships.

Morgan County probate records are mostly accessible to the public. The public may request such records by submitting a completed request form to the circuit court clerk's office.

Morgan County Family Court Records

Morgan County family records contain information on family law cases heard within the county's courthouse. Such records may reveal family-related issues, such as divorce, juvenile delinquency, child custody and support, and termination of parental rights.

Record seekers may obtain family court records by submitting a request to the Morgan County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The clerk's office offers access to non-certified and certified family court records. To obtain confidential records, interested parties must submit a completed request form to the court clerk at this address:

119 Lee Street Northeast

2nd Floor

Decatur, AL 35601

Phone: (256) 351-4790

In addition to the form, record seekers must pay a $5 certification fee along with the required copy fees. The clerk's office may request valid IDs if the document contains confidential or sealed information.

Note: Unlike non-confidential records, confidential court records bear the official seal of the issuing agency. Record seekers may use such documents in court cases that require access to confidential information.

Federal Court Records in Morgan County

Federal cases in Morgan County are under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The court's Northeastern Division hears federal cases, such as civil rights violations, drug trafficking, and bankruptcy.

To find federal court records, record seekers must use resources provided by the federal court system. The court system maintains PACER, an online search platform for locating federal court records. Record seekers must enter relevant information to view records on the platform.

The clerk of the Northeastern Division allows in-person access to federal court records. Record seekers may call the clerk's office at (256) 534-6495 to determine the availability of the record. If the record is available, they may submit their request to the clerk's office at this address:

United States District Court

660 Gallatin Street, Southwest.

Huntsville, AL 35801