Tuscaloosa County Divorce Records
What Are Tuscaloosa County Divorce Records?
Tuscaloosa County divorce records are official legal documents maintained by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court that document the dissolution of marriages within the county's jurisdiction. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Alabama Code § 30-2-1, which governs divorce proceedings in the state. The Circuit Clerk of Tuscaloosa County serves as the official custodian of these records as part of their duty as the court's "official record keeper" for all proceedings held in the Circuit Court.
Divorce records typically consist of several components:
- The initial divorce petition or complaint
- Summons and proof of service
- Financial affidavits and property settlements
- Child custody and support arrangements (if applicable)
- The final divorce decree or judgment
These records serve multiple important purposes, including:
- Providing legal proof of marital status change
- Enabling individuals to legally remarry
- Supporting name change processes
- Documenting eligibility for Social Security benefits
- Verifying status for loan applications
- Establishing marital status for immigration matters
The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk maintains these records as part of their statutory responsibilities under Alabama law.
Are Tuscaloosa County Divorce Records Public?
Tuscaloosa County divorce records have a complex public access status that varies by record type and content. Generally, court divorce case files in Tuscaloosa County are considered public records under the Alabama Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public writings. However, this access is subject to important limitations and exceptions.
The public accessibility of divorce records in Tuscaloosa County is governed by several factors:
-
Court case files: Most divorce proceedings filed with the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court are considered public records. However, pursuant to Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 32, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Names of minor children
- Sensitive medical or mental health information
-
Certified divorce certificates: While the fact of a divorce is public information, certified divorce certificates issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health have restricted access. Under current Alabama regulations, only the following individuals may obtain certified divorce certificates:
- The parties to the divorce
- Their legal representatives
- Individuals with a demonstrated legitimate legal interest
-
Sealed records: In certain circumstances, a judge may order divorce records sealed from public view. This typically occurs when:
- The case involves domestic violence concerns
- Child abuse allegations are present
- Publication would cause undue harm to involved parties
- Sensitive financial or proprietary information requires protection
Members of the public seeking to access divorce records should be aware that while general case information may be publicly available, access to complete files may require demonstration of legal standing or interest.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Tuscaloosa County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in Tuscaloosa County may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The appropriate approach depends on the specific information needed and the requester's relationship to the case.
For general divorce case information:
- Visit the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's office in person:
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 349-3870
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
-
Submit a written request by mail to the Circuit Clerk's office, including:
- Full names of both parties to the divorce
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Specific documents requested
- Required search fees
-
For certified divorce certificates (restricted access):
Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
(334) 206-5418
Alabama Department of Public Health
Current fees for divorce record searches in Tuscaloosa County:
- Circuit Court case file search: $5.00 per name
- Copy fees: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Certified divorce certificate (ADPH): $15.00
Requesters should note that pursuant to Alabama Code § 30-2-30, divorce records are maintained permanently by the courts, though older records may be archived in different formats or locations.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Tuscaloosa County Online?
Tuscaloosa County provides several digital options for accessing divorce record information online, though complete access to all documents may require additional steps. The following online resources are currently available:
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Alabama Judicial System's Alacourt.com:
- This subscription-based service provides access to the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts case management system
- Users can search cases by party name, case number, or attorney
- Registration and fees are required for full access
- Basic case information (filing date, parties, case type) is viewable
- Complete document access may require additional fees or in-person requests
-
Alabama Public Health Department Online Request System:
- For certified divorce certificates only
- Available to eligible requesters (parties to divorce, legal representatives)
- Requires identity verification
- Current fee: $15.00 per certificate
- Access via the ADPH Vital Records portal
-
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Website:
- Provides information about available records
- Offers downloadable request forms
- Does not currently offer direct document access
- Visit the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court website for more information
When using online systems, requesters should note:
- Not all documents in a divorce case file may be available electronically
- Older records (generally pre-2000) may not be digitized
- Sensitive or sealed information will not be accessible online
- Official certified copies still require in-person or mail requests
For comprehensive access to divorce records, combining online preliminary searches with follow-up requests to the Circuit Clerk's office often provides the most complete results.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Tuscaloosa County?
While most official divorce record searches and document copies in Tuscaloosa County involve fees, several options exist for accessing basic divorce information at no cost:
- Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse:
- Located in the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's office
- Provide free access to basic case information
- Available during regular business hours:
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 349-3870
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
-
Tuscaloosa County Law Library:
- Offers public access to legal research materials
- May have indices of court cases
- Located within the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
- No fee for basic research access
-
Online Case Search Basic Information:
- The Alabama Judicial System provides limited free case search capabilities
- Only basic case information is available without subscription
- Full document access requires fees
-
Newspaper Archives:
- The Tuscaloosa Public Library maintains archives of local newspapers
- Divorce notices are often published in legal notices sections
- Access to digital newspaper archives is free with library card
Limitations of free access methods:
- Information is typically limited to basic case details
- Document copies still require payment of statutory fees
- Certified copies always require payment of established fees
- Staff assistance for extensive searches may not be available
- Older records may not be accessible through free methods
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-19-70, the Circuit Clerk is required to collect established fees for most record searches and copies, though basic docket information may be viewed without charge.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Tuscaloosa County
Divorce records in Tuscaloosa County typically contain several distinct components that document the legal dissolution of marriage. The specific contents may vary based on the complexity of the case and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Standard components of Tuscaloosa County divorce records include:
-
Initial Filings:
- Complaint for Divorce (filed by plaintiff)
- Summons and proof of service
- Answer and/or counterclaim (filed by defendant)
- Temporary orders (if applicable)
-
Financial Documentation:
- Income statements and tax returns
- Asset and liability disclosures
- Property valuations
- Pension and retirement account information
- Business interest valuations (if applicable)
-
Child-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Custody and visitation arrangements
- Child support calculations using Alabama Child Support Guidelines
- Parenting plans
- Guardian ad litem reports (if appointed)
-
Settlement Documents:
- Property settlement agreements
- Alimony/spousal support determinations
- Debt allocation agreements
- Name change orders (if applicable)
-
Final Judgment:
- Final Decree of Divorce
- Judge's findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Court orders regarding property division
- Child custody and support orders
-
Post-Judgment Filings (if applicable):
- Modification requests
- Enforcement actions
- Appeals
- Contempt proceedings
The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk maintains these records in accordance with Alabama court rules. Certified divorce certificates issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health contain more limited information, typically including only:
- Names of both parties
- Date and place of divorce
- Case number
- Grounds for divorce
- Date of marriage
- County where divorce was granted
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Tuscaloosa County?
Individuals seeking official proof of divorce in Tuscaloosa County have two primary options, depending on the level of documentation required and the intended use of the proof.
For a certified copy of the divorce decree (most comprehensive proof):
- Contact the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's office:
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 349-3870
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
- Submit a request including:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden name if applicable)
- Date of divorce (approximate if exact date unknown)
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's relationship to the case
- Valid photo identification
- Required fee ($5.00 per certification plus $1.00 per page)
For a certified divorce certificate (condensed proof suitable for most purposes):
- Contact the Alabama Department of Public Health:
Alabama Department of Public Health - Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
(334) 206-5418
Alabama Department of Public Health
- Submit a request with:
- Completed application form
- Copy of valid photo identification
- Proof of relationship to case (if not a party to the divorce)
- Current fee ($15.00 per certificate)
Online requests for certified divorce certificates can be submitted through the ADPH website for divorces granted from January 1950 to present. Older records may require additional processing time.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid driver's license
- State-issued ID card
- Passport
- Military ID
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 22-9A-21, certified copies of divorce certificates from the Alabama Department of Public Health are restricted to:
- The parties named in the record
- Their legal representatives
- Immediate family members with demonstrated need
- Others who demonstrate a legal interest in the record
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Tuscaloosa County?
While divorce proceedings in Tuscaloosa County are generally matters of public record, Alabama law provides several mechanisms through which certain aspects of divorce cases may be kept confidential under specific circumstances.
Mechanisms for maintaining confidentiality in divorce proceedings include:
-
Sealed Records: Pursuant to Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 26(c), a judge may order all or portions of a divorce file sealed from public view upon motion by either party. Grounds for sealing typically include:
- Protection of minor children's privacy
- Domestic violence concerns
- Sensitive financial or proprietary business information
- Mental health or medical information
- Allegations of abuse or criminal conduct
-
Confidential Information Forms: The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court utilizes confidential information forms for sensitive personal data, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Minor children's identifying information
- Medical records
-
Redaction: Court staff may redact sensitive information from publicly accessible documents while maintaining the original unredacted versions under restricted access.
-
Protective Orders: In cases involving domestic violence or harassment, the court may issue protective orders that limit disclosure of certain information, including the victim's address and contact information.
-
Anonymous Filing: In exceptional circumstances, the court may permit parties to file using initials or pseudonyms rather than full legal names.
To request confidentiality measures:
- File a motion for protective order with the Circuit Court
- Clearly identify the specific information to be protected
- Demonstrate legitimate reasons for confidentiality
- Propose the least restrictive means necessary to protect the information
It is important to note that complete confidentiality of an entire divorce proceeding is extremely rare and generally not permitted under Alabama's public records laws. The fact that a divorce occurred and the names of the parties are typically considered public information, even when specific details are protected.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Tuscaloosa County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in Tuscaloosa County varies significantly based on several factors, including case complexity, cooperation between parties, court caseload, and whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.
Uncontested divorces (where parties agree on all issues):
- Minimum waiting period: 30 days from filing (pursuant to Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1)
- Typical processing time: 6-10 weeks total
- Factors affecting timeline:
- Completeness of submitted paperwork
- Current court caseload
- Judge's review schedule
- Statutory waiting period compliance
Contested divorces (where parties disagree on one or more issues):
- Typical duration: 6-18 months
- Complex cases may extend beyond 2 years
- Timeline affected by:
- Discovery process length
- Motion practice
- Court hearing availability
- Mediation attempts
- Expert witness involvement (for business valuations, custody evaluations)
- Trial scheduling
According to the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, the Sixth Judicial Circuit (which includes Tuscaloosa County) currently reports the following average timeframes:
- Uncontested divorces without children: 2-3 months
- Uncontested divorces with children: 3-4 months
- Contested divorces: 9-12 months (median)
Factors that may extend divorce proceedings include:
- Complex property division issues
- Business ownership valuation disputes
- Retirement and pension division complications
- Child custody disagreements
- Alimony/spousal support disputes
- High-conflict relationship dynamics
- Attorney scheduling conflicts
- Court congestion and scheduling delays
Expedited proceedings may be possible in limited circumstances, such as:
- Military deployments
- Domestic violence situations
- Certain financial emergencies
- Pregnancy of either party
Parties seeking the most efficient resolution should consider alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, which is frequently utilized in the Tuscaloosa County family court system.
How Long Does Tuscaloosa County Keep Divorce Records?
Tuscaloosa County maintains divorce records permanently, in accordance with Alabama state law and records retention schedules. However, the format, storage location, and accessibility of these records vary based on the age of the records and technological changes in record-keeping systems.
Current records retention practices for divorce records in Tuscaloosa County include:
-
Recent Records (approximately 2000-present):
- Maintained in electronic format in the Alabama Judicial System's case management system
- Original paper documents may be scanned and returned or archived
- Readily accessible through the Circuit Clerk's office
- Some documents available through online access systems
-
Intermediate Records (approximately 1950-2000):
- Primarily maintained in paper format
- May be stored in courthouse archives or off-site storage facilities
- Microfilm copies may exist for some records
- Require physical retrieval by court staff
- Search and retrieval may take 1-3 business days
-
Historical Records (pre-1950):
- May be in bound volumes, microfilm, or archival storage
- Some very old records may have been transferred to the Alabama Department of Archives and History
- Condition of records varies based on age and storage conditions
- Search and retrieval may take 5-10 business days or longer
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-2, which governs public records preservation, and the Records Disposition Authority for Circuit Courts approved by the State Records Commission, divorce records are classified as permanent records that must be maintained indefinitely.
The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of these records and is responsible for their preservation and accessibility. While the physical format may change over time through digitization or microfilming, the legal requirement to maintain these records permanently remains constant.
For research involving historical divorce records, individuals may need to contact:
Alabama Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-4435
Alabama Department of Archives and History
How To Get a Divorce In Tuscaloosa County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Tuscaloosa County must follow specific procedures established by Alabama law and local court rules. The process varies depending on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.
For uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all issues):
-
Determine eligibility:
- Either spouse must have been a resident of Alabama for at least 6 months prior to filing
- The divorce may be filed in Tuscaloosa County if either spouse resides there
-
Prepare required documents:
- Complaint for Divorce
- Marital Settlement Agreement (signed by both parties)
- Testimony of Plaintiff form
- Vital Statistics form
- Child Support Information Sheet and Guidelines (if children involved)
- Standing Pre-Trial Order
- Final Decree of Divorce (for judge's signature)
-
File documents with the Circuit Clerk:
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 349-3870
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
-
Pay required filing fees:
- Current filing fee: Approximately $324 (subject to change)
- Fee waiver available for qualifying low-income individuals (requires filing an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship)
-
Wait for processing:
- Minimum 30-day waiting period required by Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1
- Judge reviews and signs decree if all requirements are met
- Certified copies available after judge's signature
For contested divorces (where parties disagree on one or more issues):
- File initial complaint and pay filing fee
- Serve divorce papers on spouse through:
- Sheriff's office
- Certified mail
- Private process server
- Spouse has 30 days to file an Answer
- Attend initial status conference with judge
- Complete discovery process (exchange of information)
- Participate in court-ordered mediation
- Attend pre-trial conference
- Proceed to trial if settlement not reached
- Receive final judgment from court
Legal assistance options in Tuscaloosa County include:
- Private attorneys
- Legal Services Alabama (for qualifying low-income individuals)
- Tuscaloosa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- University of Alabama School of Law Clinical Programs
Self-help resources are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, though representation by an attorney is strongly recommended, particularly for contested matters.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Tuscaloosa County
Individuals seeking divorce papers in Tuscaloosa County have several options for obtaining the necessary forms to initiate or respond to divorce proceedings. The appropriate method depends on whether legal representation is involved and the complexity of the case.
For those with attorney representation:
- The attorney will prepare and file all required documents
- Clients typically review and sign papers prepared by counsel
- Attorney fees cover document preparation and filing
For self-represented individuals (pro se litigants):
- Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office:
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk's Office
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 349-3870
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk
- Limited forms available for uncontested divorces
- Staff cannot provide legal advice but can confirm required documents
- Forms must be completed by the individual, not court staff
- Alabama Administrative Office of Courts website:
- Provides standardized forms for uncontested divorces
- Available through the Alabama Judicial System
- Includes instructions for completion
- Forms available for cases with and without minor children
- Tuscaloosa County Law Library:
- Reference materials containing sample forms
- Located in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
- Self-service research required
- No legal assistance provided
- Legal aid organizations:
- Legal Services Alabama provides assistance to qualifying low-income individuals
- Limited pro bono clinics occasionally available through the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association
Required forms typically include:
- Complaint/Petition for Divorce
- Summons
- Domestic Relations Information Sheet
- Affidavit of Residency
- Testimony of Plaintiff
- Marital Settlement Agreement (for uncontested divorces)
- Child Support Forms (if applicable)
- Certificate of Divorce (for Alabama Department of Public Health)
Current filing fees:
- New divorce filing: Approximately $324
- Answer to divorce complaint: Approximately $297
- Motion to modify existing decree: Varies by type
- Fee waiver available through Affidavit of Substantial Hardship for qualifying individuals
All forms must comply with Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and local court rules. Self-represented litigants are held to the same standards as attorneys regarding document preparation and procedural compliance.
Lookup Divorce Records in Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County - Sixth Circuit Court of Alabama
Divorce Certificates | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk | Alabama Secretary of State