This page helps users looking for court records in Jefferson County, Alabama understand which official court resources to use and where to contact the local clerk offices.
For statewide trial court record access and court services, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts is the main starting point. Jefferson County also has Birmingham Division and Bessemer Division Circuit Clerk offices for local court information.
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts record access
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts supports Alabama’s Unified Judicial System and provides links to court services, county information, eForms, eFiling, traffic services, and judicial data.
For court record needs, use the state court site to locate official statewide services such as Just One Look, which provides on-demand access to Alabama State Trial Court records one case at a time.
Check the record type before you begin. Traffic, criminal, civil, family, and local court form needs may route to different court services or clerk offices.
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk divisions
Jefferson County court business is served through the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which includes the Birmingham and Bessemer divisions. The correct division matters when contacting the clerk, checking local court information, or following instructions from the court.
The Jefferson County Birmingham Division Circuit Clerk provides local clerk information for the Birmingham Division. The Jefferson County Bessemer Division Circuit Clerk provides local clerk information for the Bessemer Division.
The clerk sites explain office procedures and court services. They do not provide legal advice. For legal guidance, users should speak with an attorney.
Birmingham Division court information
The Jefferson County Birmingham Division Tenth Judicial Circuit site provides local information about judges, court personnel, filing fees, juror information, and division services.
Users can also check the Find My Courtroom page for courtroom information. Court dates can change, so users should check often and rely on direct instructions from the judge when there is a conflict.
Court types in Jefferson County
Jefferson County court records and court tasks may involve different courts. The local court pages describe the basic roles of circuit, district, and family court.
| Court area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Jury trials, many civil and criminal matters, appeals from district court, and general superintendence over district, municipal, and probate courts. |
| District Court | Civil actions within district court limits, unlawful detainer matters, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions. |
| Family Court | Juvenile matters, paternity, child support enforcement, and protection from abuse proceedings. |
Family Court record access limits
Jefferson County Family Court, also called Juvenile Court, handles matters involving children. These may include delinquency, dependency, children in need of supervision, paternity, child support, and protection from abuse.
Juvenile court proceedings and juvenile court records are confidential. They are not open to the public.
Jefferson County court forms
Users who need local court forms can use the Jefferson County local court forms page from Alabama eForms. Listed forms include items such as an Answer to Landlord’s Claim, Certificate of Judgment, Defendant’s Notice to Plead Guilty, Plea Bargain Agreement, Temporary Release, and Waiver of Extradition.
For a certificate or exemplification request, the local form asks for case number, plaintiff name, defendant name, judgment details, the party against whom certification or exemplification is requested, and the requestor’s printed name, address, telephone, signature, and date.
Filing fees and court costs
Jefferson County provides filing fee pages for several court areas. The fee pages state that fees shown are current as of June 21, 2012 and instruct users to contact the Circuit Clerk’s office directly with filing fee questions.
| Fee page | Examples listed |
|---|---|
| Circuit civil filing fees | Civil filings, appeals, subpoenas, garnishments, executions, certificates of judgment, exemplifications, and sheriff service fees. |
| District civil filing fees | Small claims, large claims, unlawful detainer, garnishments, executions, subpoenas, copies, and certificates of judgment. |
| Domestic relations filing fees | Complaints, modifications, petitions to enroll foreign judgments, subpoenas, garnishments, executions, and sheriff service. |
Traffic court records and payments
The Birmingham Division traffic court page explains how moving violations may be handled before appearing in District Court. A user who wants a hearing must appear on the court date and time shown on the citation. The court date on the ticket is not a trial date.
The Jefferson County Birmingham Division traffic court page directs users with questions or payments to the Alabama Traffic Safety Center and lists phone options for traffic fine and credit card payment questions.
Court contacts for Jefferson County
Use these contacts for local Jefferson County court record questions, division routing, filing fee questions, and clerk office services.
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Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Birmingham Division, Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5355
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday -
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, Bessemer Division, Bessemer Judicial Building, 1851 Second Ave N., Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 497-8510
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday -
Jefferson County Family Court, 120 2nd Ct. North, Birmingham, AL 35204
Birmingham: (205) 325-5491
Bessemer: (205) 481-4225 -
Administrative Office of Courts, 300 Dexter Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 954-5000
Toll free: 1-866-954-9411
Common questions
Where do I start for Jefferson County, Alabama court records?
Start with the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts for statewide court services and trial court record access. For local questions, contact the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk division that matches the Birmingham or Bessemer court location.
Which Jefferson County clerk office should I contact?
Use the Birmingham Division Circuit Clerk for matters at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham. Use the Bessemer Division Circuit Clerk for matters at the Bessemer Judicial Building.
Can I get juvenile court records online?
Juvenile court proceedings and juvenile court records in Jefferson County Family Court are confidential and are not open to the public.
How can I check my courtroom in the Birmingham Division?
Use the Find My Courtroom page for Birmingham Division courtroom information. Because court dates change frequently, rely on direct court instructions when they differ from website information.
Who answers filing fee questions?
The Jefferson County filing fee pages instruct users to contact the Circuit Clerk’s office directly with filing fee questions.
Can the Circuit Clerk give legal advice?
No. The Circuit Clerk provides office procedure and service information but cannot give legal advice. Users who need legal assistance should speak with an attorney.