Jefferson County Divorce Decree Records are court documents that prove a marriage has legally ended in Jefferson County, Alabama. These records are kept by the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk and can be requested online, by mail, or in person.
This page explains who keeps the records, how to search them, and how to get a certified copy for legal use.
Where Jefferson County Divorce Decree Records Are Kept
Divorce decree records in Jefferson County, Alabama are stored by the Circuit Clerk’s office. This office serves the 10th Judicial Circuit and handles all circuit court records, including family cases. The clerk keeps a docket for each case, the final judgment, and any child support or custody orders tied to the divorce.
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Role
The Circuit Clerk is the legal keeper of court records for the county. When a judge signs a final divorce decree, the signed order goes to the clerk’s office for filing. The clerk then assigns a recording date, stores the paper file, and adds the case to the court’s public index. The clerk also issues certified copies when people ask for them.
The clerk’s office covers two court divisions in Jefferson County:
- Birmingham Division, which serves the northern part of the county
- Bessemer Division, which serves the southern part of the county
Two Court Divisions in Jefferson County
Jefferson County is one of the few counties in Alabama with two circuit court locations. The Birmingham Division sits at 212 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. The Bessemer Division is located in downtown Bessemer. Divorce cases are filed in the division where the spouse who files the case lives, or where both spouses agree to file.
Each division has its own clerk staff. A record filed in Birmingham is not on the same docket as one filed in Bessemer. You must contact the correct division when requesting a copy of a decree.
Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts
The Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts, also called AOC, sets the standard forms used in every Alabama county. Jefferson County does not have its own local divorce forms. It uses the same statewide AOC forms as every other county, including the Complaint for Divorce and the Answer or Waiver form.
For information about statewide forms, visit the Alabama Courts website at alacourt.gov.
What a Divorce Decree Contains
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It is signed by a judge and stamped by the clerk. The decree lists the names of both spouses, the case number, the date the judge signed it, and the date the marriage legally ended.
Basic Case Details on a Decree
Every divorce decree in Jefferson County shows the full legal names of both parties, the case number, and the division where the case was heard. The decree also lists the date of marriage, the county of residence at the time of filing, and the grounds for divorce. Most Jefferson County divorces use no-fault grounds, which means the marriage broke down and cannot be repaired.
The decree states the date the judge entered the final judgment. That date is the legal end of the marriage for most purposes.
Custody and Property Orders
When a divorce involves children, the decree spells out who has custody, who has visitation, and who pays child support. It may also list how property, debts, and retirement accounts are split. These orders stay in the court file and can be enforced later if one side does not follow them.
If a court later changes a custody or support order, that new order is filed in the same case. The clerk’s office can help you get a copy of any later order, not just the final decree.
Differences Between a Decree and a Certificate
Many people confuse a divorce decree with a divorce certificate. They are two different documents from two different offices. The decree is the full court order kept by the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. The certificate is a short proof-of-divorce document kept by the Alabama Department of Public Health, also called ADPH.
Use a certified copy of the decree for most legal work, such as name changes, property transfers, or court cases. Use a state certificate for proof of single status when remarrying or updating Social Security records.
How to Search Jefferson County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Jefferson County divorce case records through the Alabama state online court system. The system is called Alacourt. It lets you look up cases by name, case number, or party detail.
Alacourt Public Portal
Alacourt is the official online portal for Alabama circuit court records. It shows case filings, hearing dates, and final judgments for cases across the state, including both divisions of Jefferson County. To use it, visit the Alacourt website and set up a paid account.
Alacourt charges a small fee per search. You can search by full name of either spouse or by case number. The portal shows the case type, the filing date, the division, and a short docket list.
Note: Alacourt only shows index data, not full document images. You can see that a decree exists, but you cannot read the full text or download a certified copy from the portal.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search is the fastest way to find a specific record. Jefferson County case numbers start with a two-letter division code, followed by a year and a sequence number. Birmingham Division cases often start with “DR” for domestic relations, while Bessemer Division cases use the same format but are filed at the Bessemer courthouse.
If you know the case number, the clerk can pull the file in minutes. If you only know the names and the year, the search takes longer but is still possible.
Searching by Name
You can also search Alacourt by the full name of either spouse. The system returns matching cases, including the case number, filing date, and division. Name searches work best when you know the legal name at the time of divorce, not a maiden name or a current name.
If the name is common, add a birth year or a middle name to narrow the results. The Alacourt system only shows exact name matches, so small spelling differences can cause you to miss the case.
How to Request a Certified Copy of a Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a divorce decree is a copy stamped and signed by the clerk. It has a raised seal or a court seal that proves the document is real. Most banks, government agencies, and courts ask for a certified copy, not a regular photocopy.
In-Person Request at the Clerk’s Office
You can walk into the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office in person and ask for a certified copy. The Birmingham Division is at 212 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. The Bessemer Division is located at 1801 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020. Bring a valid photo ID and the case details.
The clerk staff will search the docket, pull the file, and make the certified copy while you wait in many cases. Same-day service is common for simple requests with the case number.
Mail Request for a Certified Copy
If you cannot visit in person, you can mail a written request to the clerk’s office. The request should include the full legal names of both spouses, the case number if known, the year of the divorce, and the division. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the fee.
Mail requests can take several business days, plus mail time each way. The clerk’s office website or a phone call can confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods before you send your request.
Online Request Through the State
You can also order a certified copy of an Alabama divorce certificate through the Alabama Department of Public Health at adph.org. The state offers online ordering through its vital records system, and uses a third-party processor for credit card payments. This path works for most Jefferson County divorces finalized since 1950.
Note: The state certificate is different from the full court decree. The state certificate is a short proof-of-divorce document. The full decree with all property and custody orders must come from the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk.
Records Access Laws and Privacy Rules
Alabama law makes most court records public. Anyone can ask to see or copy a Jefferson County divorce decree unless a judge has sealed the file. Public access is set by Ala. Code § 36-12-40, which is the state’s open records law for public documents.
Public Records in Alabama
Under state law, court records filed by the clerk are open to the public. Divorce filings, final decrees, and post-divorce orders are all public unless a court order seals them. You do not need to be a party to the case to view the docket or order a copy in most cases.
The clerk may still ask for your name and purpose when you make a request, but they cannot refuse to give you a copy of a public record.
When a Record Can Be Sealed
A judge can seal a divorce file in rare cases. Sealing usually happens when the case involves protected personal data, minor children with special safety needs, or high-profile financial disputes. The request to seal a file is itself a written motion that becomes part of the public record, even after the rest of the file is sealed.
Sealed records can be opened only by court order. If you believe a record should be sealed, you must file a written motion and show the court a clear reason under Alabama law.
Identity Check for Certified Copies
The clerk may ask for a valid photo ID before releasing a certified copy. This step protects against fraud and identity theft. You do not need to be a party to the case to ask for a certified copy, but you must show ID in most cases.
Third-party requesters, such as attorneys, title companies, and government agencies, may also ask for copies on behalf of a client. They must show proof of their role and a signed request from the client in many cases.
Costs, Fees, and Processing Times
Fees for Jefferson County divorce records depend on the type of copy and the request method. The clerk’s office sets the fees under Alabama state law. The state health department sets a separate fee for certificates.
Clerk Copy Fees
The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk charges a fee for each certified copy of a divorce decree. The fee covers the search, the copy, and the clerk’s seal. Payment is usually by cash, check, money order, or card, depending on the office.
The current fee for a certified copy in Alabama circuit courts is set by state law and can change. Call the clerk’s office before you visit to confirm the exact fee.
State Certificate Fees
The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for each certified copy of a divorce certificate. You can order online, by mail, or in person at a county health department. ADPH also offers a rush service for an extra fee.
Online orders go through a third-party vendor that adds a card processing fee on top of the $15 state fee.
Typical Processing Time
In-person requests for a certified decree copy are often handled the same day if the case is closed and the file is on site. Mail requests usually take 7 to 10 business days after the clerk receives them. State certificate orders through ADPH can take 2 to 4 weeks by mail, or a few days for online rush orders.
Older cases may take longer if the file has been moved to off-site storage. The clerk can still pull these files, but it may add a few extra days to the request.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Most record requests go smoothly when you have the right details. Problems usually come from missing case data, name changes, or old files in storage.
Missing Case Number
If you do not know the case number, search Alacourt by full name and year. If the search returns no results, the file may be under a different name, such as a maiden name or a name from a prior marriage. Try every name the spouse has used.
If you still cannot find the case, call the clerk’s office in the right division. Staff can search by name and year without a case number, but it takes more time.
Records That Moved to Storage
Older Jefferson County divorce files are sometimes stored off-site. The clerk can still pull these files, but the request can take a few extra business days. There is no extra fee for pulling from storage in most cases, but processing time is longer.
Name Change After Divorce
If you changed your name after the divorce, the decree still lists your old legal name. You can use the decree to prove the name change for a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport. If you are searching for your own case under your new name, the clerk’s docket will not match unless you search by your old legal name.
Records Before 1950
Alabama began keeping statewide divorce certificates in 1950. For divorces finalized before that year, the only record is the court file at the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. ADPH does not have certificates for those older cases, and Alacourt may not show them either. The clerk’s office is the only source for a certified decree from those years.
Official Contact Details for Jefferson County Records
For all Jefferson County Divorce Decree Records requests, contact the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office through the channels below.
Official Website: https://www.jccal.org
Phone: (205) 325-5300 (Birmingham Division)
Birmingham Office Address: 212 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Bessemer Office Address: 1801 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For statewide records, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov or call (334) 206-5418.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson County Divorce Decree Records
These questions cover the most common concerns people have when searching for or requesting a divorce decree in Jefferson County, Alabama. Each answer is based on current Alabama law and the rules of the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree in Jefferson County?
Walk-in requests at the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office are often handled the same day when you bring a valid photo ID and the case number. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days after the clerk receives the letter, plus mail time. State certificate orders through the Alabama Department of Public Health take 2 to 4 weeks by mail, or a few days with online rush service. Older files stored off-site add a few extra days to any request method.
Can I look up someone else’s divorce decree in Jefferson County?
Yes. Alabama law makes most court records public under Ala. Code § 36-12-40. You can search the Alacourt portal for free lookups of case data, and you can ask the clerk for a copy of a public decree. The clerk may ask for your name and ID before releasing a certified copy, but you do not need to be a party to the case in most situations. Sealed files are the only records kept from public view.
What is the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate in Alabama?
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by a judge and filed with the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. It lists all custody, support, and property orders. A divorce certificate is a short proof-of-divorce document kept by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Use a certified decree for legal matters like name changes or property transfers. Use a state certificate for proof of single status when you remarry.
How much does a certified copy of a Jefferson County divorce decree cost?
The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk charges a fee set by state law for each certified copy of a divorce decree. The fee covers the search, the copy, and the clerk’s seal. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for each state divorce certificate. Online orders through ADPH add a card processing fee paid to the third-party vendor. Call the clerk’s office before your visit to confirm the current fee.
Can I get a Jefferson County divorce decree online?
You can search case data online through the Alacourt portal, but full certified copies must come from the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. You can visit the clerk’s office in person, mail a written request, or use the Alabama Department of Public Health online system for a state certificate. ADPH certificates are not the same as the full court decree, so check which one you need before you order.
What if I do not know the case number for the divorce?
You can search Alacourt by the full legal name of either spouse and the year of the divorce. Name searches work best with exact spelling, so try every name the spouse has used, including maiden names. If the search returns no results, call the clerk’s office for the right division. Staff can search by name and year without a case number, but the search takes longer.
Are Jefferson County divorce records from before 1950 still available?
Yes, but only through the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office. The Alabama Department of Public Health began keeping statewide divorce certificates in 1950, so older records are not in the state system. Pre-1950 cases are kept in the county court file and may be stored off-site. The clerk can still pull these files for a certified copy, but the request takes extra time and there may be an extra fee for pulling from storage.