Birmingham city divorce records are court files kept at the Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division. The Circuit Clerk stores every divorce case filed by Birmingham residents and issues copies of decrees to the public.
Anyone can search these records by name, by case number, or by visiting the courthouse in downtown Birmingham. This page covers how to search, request, and use Birmingham city divorce records, including the steps for getting certified copies and the fees you can expect to pay in 2026.
How the Birmingham Court System Keeps Divorce Records
Birmingham sits in Jefferson County, Alabama. All divorce cases for people who live in Birmingham go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The court has two divisions, and Birmingham uses the Birmingham Division. The Circuit Clerk’s office stores the physical files, the docket sheets, and the electronic docket for every case. When a divorce becomes final, the signed decree goes into the case file. That decree is a public record under Alabama law.
Where Birmingham Divorce Cases Are Filed
The Jefferson County Courthouse stands at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N in downtown Birmingham, Alabama 35203. The Circuit Clerk’s office is in Room 400 of that building. People file new divorce complaints, respond to petitions, and request copies of old records at this location. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors must pass through a security checkpoint, so a valid photo ID is required.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division |
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 400, Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5355 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov |
What Records the Clerk Maintains
The clerk keeps a complete file for every divorce case in Birmingham. The file holds the original petition, the response, financial affidavits, custody papers, settlement agreements, and the final decree. Some older case files from before 1990 exist only on paper. Cases filed after the late 1990s have both paper and electronic records. Birmingham divorce records that are public can be viewed by anyone who follows the search rules and pays the copy fees.
How to Search for Birmingham City Divorce Records
You have two main ways to search for Birmingham city divorce records. The first is online through the state court portal. The second is in person at the clerk’s office. Each method works for different needs. Online searches give you case summaries and document images for a fee. In-person searches let you look at the physical file and request certified copies the same day.
Online Search Through AlaCourt Access
AlaCourt Access is the statewide court records system for Alabama. It covers Jefferson County, which means it includes all Birmingham divorce records. To use it, go to pa.alacourt.com and create a free account. You can search by name, by case number, or by date range. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. If the search pulls up extra cases, each one costs $9.99 to view. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages.
In-Person Search at the Courthouse
You can visit the Circuit Clerk’s office in Room 400 of the Jefferson County Courthouse. Tell the clerk the name of at least one spouse, the year the divorce was filed, or the case number. The clerk will pull the file or pull up the electronic docket. You can look through the file, take notes, or pay for copies. The staff can help you search the index if you do not know the case number.
What You Need to Start a Search
To search Birmingham city divorce records, gather as much of the following as you can. The more you have, the faster the search runs.
- Full legal name of either spouse
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number, if known
- Date of marriage (helps narrow results)
- Approximate age of either spouse at the time of divorce
Birmingham Divorce Records by County and Name
Every Birmingham divorce case is filed in Jefferson County, even if one or both spouses moved away after the divorce. The county clerk is the single source of truth for these records. You can search by the name of either spouse, by the case number, or by the date range. Some people also search by the attorney’s name when they do not know the spouse’s name.
Searching Birmingham Divorce Records by Name
A name search is the most common way to find a Birmingham divorce record. Use the full legal name as it appeared at the time of the case. Common nicknames or name changes can cause a miss. If you do not know the full middle name, leave it blank. The system will pull up cases that match the first and last name. A small spelling error can hide a record, so try a few versions of the name if your first search comes up empty.
Searching by Case Number
If you already have a case number, the search is fast. Birmingham divorce case numbers follow a format like DR-2020-1234. The DR prefix shows it is a domestic relations case. The year shows when it was filed. The four-digit number is the sequence. You can type this directly into AlaCourt Access or give it to the clerk at the counter for an instant pull.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Birmingham Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a divorce decree is a copy that has the clerk’s seal and signature attached. Banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, and courts in other states often ask for a certified copy. A plain photocopy is not enough for these uses. The clerk at the Jefferson County Circuit Court is the only office that can issue a certified copy of a Birmingham divorce decree.
How to Request a Certified Copy
You can request a certified copy in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s records request portal. In person is the fastest. Walk into Room 400 of the Jefferson County Courthouse, give the clerk the case number or the spouse’s name, and ask for a certified copy. The clerk will pull the file, make the copy, attach the seal, and sign it. You walk out with the document the same day in most cases.
By mail, send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 400, Birmingham, AL 35203. Include the case number, the names of both spouses, the year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mail. Allow 7 to 14 business days for a mailed request to come back.
Fees for Certified Divorce Records in Birmingham
The fees for certified copies change from time to time. Call (205) 325-5355 before you go to confirm the current rates. Based on the 2026 fee schedule, the costs are:
- Certified copy of a divorce decree: $15.00 per copy
- Plain photocopy of a case document: $1.00 per page
- Records search when no case is found: $5.00
- Expedited search fee: $10.00
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Birmingham
People often confuse a divorce decree with a divorce certificate. They are two different documents. A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage. It lists the terms for property, custody, support, and other matters. A divorce certificate is a short record issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health. It only shows the names of the spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was granted.
When You Need a Decree
Get a decree when you need to prove the terms of the divorce. Banks may want to see it to remove a spouse from a mortgage. Courts may want it to enforce support orders. Employers may want it to change a name or tax status. The decree is the only document that has the full legal language of the court order. You can get a decree from the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk.
When You Need a Certificate
Get a certificate when you need basic proof that a divorce took place. A new marriage license, a passport application, or a Social Security name change may ask for a certificate. The Alabama Department of Public Health issues these through the Center for Health Statistics. You can order by mail, online, or at the Jefferson County Health Department. Each certified copy costs $15.00, and each extra copy at the same time costs $6.00.
Florida Divorce Records: A Quick Reference
Some users who search for Birmingham city divorce records also need Florida divorce records. If you or someone in your case has a Florida connection, you may need records from that state as well. The two systems work differently. Florida divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Florida divorce certificates come from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Florida County Clerk Divorce Records
Florida has 67 counties, and each Clerk of Court keeps divorce files for that county. Large counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, and Duval have full online search portals. Smaller counties may only offer in-person searches. To find a Florida divorce record, go to the clerk’s website for the right county. You can search by name or by case number. Most Florida clerks charge $1.00 per page for plain copies and a higher fee for certified copies.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. This office keeps Florida divorce certificates from 1927 to the present. You can order a certificate online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Jacksonville. The fee is $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each extra copy. Florida also uses the online service VitalChek for faster delivery, which adds a service fee on top of the state fee.
How Florida and Birmingham Records Connect
If you were divorced in Florida and now live in Birmingham, your Florida record stays in the Florida county where the case was filed. The Jefferson County clerk in Birmingham does not have a copy. You must go to the Florida county clerk or to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics to get a copy. The same is true the other way around. A Birmingham divorce stays in Jefferson County even if one spouse moves to Florida after the case ends.
Sealed and Restricted Birmingham Divorce Records
Most Birmingham divorce records are open to the public. A small number are sealed by court order. A judge can seal a case when the record contains sensitive personal data, such as a sealed adoption, a closed juvenile matter, or trade secrets in a property split. Once a case is sealed, the clerk will not show the file to the public without a separate court order.
How to Get Access to a Sealed Case
To open a sealed Birmingham divorce record, you must file a written motion with the Circuit Court. The motion explains why you need the record. A judge reviews the request and either grants it or denies it. The court may unseal the full file, unseal part of the file, or deny the request. There is a filing fee for the motion. If the judge grants the request, the clerk will then allow you to view and copy the records.
Common Reasons Records Get Sealed
Birmingham judges seal divorce records for several reasons. They include protecting children named in custody orders, shielding financial account numbers, keeping trade secrets out of the public file, and protecting the identity of a party who could face harm. Not every case can be sealed. The court weighs the public’s right to see the record against the harm that disclosure could cause.
Birmingham Divorce Filing Process and Fees
When you file a new divorce in Birmingham, the case becomes part of the public record once it is opened. Each step leaves a paper trail. The filing fee, the service of process, and the final decree all become part of the file. Understanding the process helps you plan for the costs and the time the case will take.
Filing Fees for a New Divorce
The base filing fee for a divorce complaint in Jefferson County is $199.00. If the case has children, there are extra forms that may add to the cost. If you later need to modify a decree, the fee is $302.00. A default judgment motion costs $50.00. Sheriff service of process costs $10.00. Subpoenas cost $12.00. These fees can change, so call the clerk at (205) 325-5355 to confirm the current rates before you file.
How Long the Process Takes
An uncontested divorce in Birmingham often takes 30 to 60 days from filing to final decree. Alabama law has a 30-day waiting period after the other spouse is served. A contested case with custody or property disputes can take 6 months to 18 months. The clerk can give you a current estimate based on the current docket load when you file.
Legal Help and Community Resources for Birmingham
You do not have to handle a divorce case alone. Birmingham has several legal aid groups, lawyer referral services, and self-help centers. These resources help people with low income, with their first court case, or with cases that involve complex issues like domestic violence or hidden assets.
Free Legal Aid in Birmingham
Legal Services Alabama has its main office in Birmingham and serves all of Jefferson County. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They focus on divorce cases that involve domestic violence. Call (205) 328-3540 or the toll-free line at (866) 456-4995. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more details on who qualifies and how to apply.
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program helps low-income residents with divorce, child support, and custody cases at no cost. Call (205) 250-5198 to see if you qualify. The Birmingham Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (205) 251-8006 where the first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660.
Self-Help Resources for Filing Without a Lawyer
Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has every court form you need to file for divorce in Birmingham. The site has complaint forms, answer forms, and all the other papers the court asks for. Jefferson County local forms are at eforms.alacourt.gov/local-county-forms/jefferson/ if you need forms specific to Birmingham. All forms are free to download and print. Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer.
Crisis Help in Birmingham
The Crisis Center Birmingham is open 24 hours a day at (205) 323-7777 for anyone in a mental health or safety crisis. The YWCA Central Alabama at (205) 322-9922 helps people in domestic violence situations with shelter, advocacy, and case help. The City of Birmingham Community Services Resources Directory lists child care, child support help, counseling, and other local services. Find it at birminghamal.gov.
Contact Information and Hours
For in-person visits, go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division, at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Room 400, Birmingham, AL 35203. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone: (205) 325-5355. Website: jeffersoncircuitclerk.alacourt.gov. Mail requests should be sent to the same address. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards for in-person payments. Online payments go through the AlaCourt Access portal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham City Divorce Records
Below are answers to the most common questions people ask about Birmingham city divorce records. These cover search methods, copy types, fees, and special situations. Each answer gives you a direct path to the next step you need.
How do I find Birmingham divorce records for free?
You can search the case index at the courthouse for free. The clerk’s public terminals in Room 400 let you look up cases by name and see the docket entries. You only pay when you ask for a printed or certified copy. Online, AlaCourt Access charges a fee even for a search, so the courthouse is the best free option. Library computers also let you search public court indexes without cost.
Can I get a Birmingham divorce decree online?
Yes. The AlaCourt Access portal at pa.alacourt.com shows case dockets and document images for a fee. You can pull up the final decree and download a copy. The downloaded copy is a plain copy. For a certified copy with the court seal, you must go to the clerk’s office in person or request one by mail. Most banks, courts, and federal agencies want a certified copy, not a downloaded one.
How long does Birmingham keep divorce records?
Jefferson County keeps divorce records forever. Paper files from 1900 to the present are stored in the courthouse basement and the county archive. Files from the late 1990s to the present are also in the electronic docket. Even very old cases can be pulled for a search fee. The clerk may need extra time to retrieve files from long-term storage, so allow 3 to 5 business days for very old case requests.
What if I do not know the exact date of the divorce?
You can still search with just a name and a year range. The clerk can run the search for a range of years if you give a five-year window. The wider the window, the more results you may have to sort through. The AlaCourt Access system lets you set a date range as wide as you need, but each case that comes up costs $9.99 to view the details.
Can I get someone else’s divorce record in Birmingham?
Yes, if the case is not sealed. Birmingham divorce records are public under Alabama law. Anyone can walk in, give a name, and request a copy. The clerk does not ask for proof of relationship for plain or certified copies of unsealed records. The only exceptions are sealed cases, juvenile records, and cases that have been expunged. Those need a court order before the clerk can release them.
How do I correct an error on a Birmingham divorce decree?
You must file a motion to correct the clerical error with the Circuit Court. The motion explains the error and what the correct text should be. A judge reviews the motion and signs an order to fix the record. The clerk then issues a corrected certified copy. The fee for the motion is the standard filing fee, plus the certified copy fee when the corrected decree is ready. Most corrections take 14 to 30 days.
Are Birmingham divorce records the same as Alabama divorce records?
All Birmingham divorce records are Alabama divorce records because Birmingham is in Alabama. The state keeps a separate index through the Alabama Department of Public Health for certificates, but the full case files stay in Jefferson County. If you need a record from another Alabama city, you must go to that city’s county clerk. Birmingham records only cover cases filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham Division.