Divorce records in Shelby County, Alabama, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the office of the county circuit clerk, and the state vital records office. ShelbyALCourt.us allows you to find public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the Shelby County Circuit Clerk's Office directly, which maintains court cases, or the Alabama Department of Public Health — Center for Health Statistics, which issues divorce certificates at the state level.
Shelby Divorce Records Search
In Alabama, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court. Shelby County belongs to the 18th Judicial Circuit, and all case materials — from complaints to final judgments — are maintained by Circuit Clerk Mary H. Harris. This collection includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents
Separate from court cases, the Alabama Department of Public Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce but do not contain details of property settlement or custody terms. Such a certificate is usually needed to confirm marital status.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Shelby
Divorces in Shelby County are processed through the Circuit Court — the only court in the state with jurisdiction over family matters. Once a judge signs the decision, the court clerk registers it in the case and retains the original. Simultaneously, the court sends a Certificate of Divorce to the Center for Health Statistics at the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Where to contact depends on what you need:
- The full text of the court decision, property agreement, or custody order — contact the Shelby County Circuit Clerk's Office.
- Divorce certificate (a brief document to confirm the fact of divorce) — order through the Shelby County Health Department's vital records division or through the central office in Montgomery.
Circuit Clerk's Office (court cases):
Divorce Certificates (state registry):
Forms for filing an uncontested divorce are available on the E-Forms portal of the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, where there is a separate set of documents specifically for Shelby County. Electronic case filing is also supported — details are described on the E-filing page of the clerk's office.
Errors in a divorce certificate can only be corrected through the circuit court that issued the decision. For Shelby County, this is the Circuit Court in Columbiana.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Shelby
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (via ADPH — search and one certified copy) | $15.00 | When contacting the local health department — usually the same day; by mail through the central office — several weeks |
| Additional certified copy of the certificate (in one order) | $6.00 | Together with the main order |
| Copies of court documents (through the Circuit Court clerk's office) | Depends on the volume of the document; inquire by phone 205-669-3760 | Usually 1–5 business days |