De Kalb County, AL Courts and Public Records
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The DeKalb County Circuit and District Courts in Fort Payne serve as the county's trial courts, handling felonies, misdemeanors, traffic cases, civil and small claims disputes, family matters, and juvenile cases for the 9th Judicial Circuit.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | DeKalb County Circuit Court and District Court (9th Judicial Circuit of Alabama) |
| Main Address | DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200 (Circuit Clerk), Fort Payne, AL 35967 (mailing address: P.O. Box 681149, Fort Payne, AL 35968) |
| Main Phone | (256) 845-8525 |
| Website | dekalb.alacourt.gov |
| Presiding Judge | Jeremy S. Taylor, listed as Presiding Circuit Judge on the court website (the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts FY 2023 annual report listed Andrew Hairston as presiding) |
| Judicial Officers | 3 circuit judges (Taylor, Shaunathan C. Bell, and Andrew J. Hairston) and 2 district judges (Steven L. Whitmire II and Jeff McCurdy), as listed on the court website; the 9th Circuit also covers Cherokee County |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Fort Payne) |
| Handles | Felonies and civil cases above $20,000 in Circuit Court, which has separate civil and criminal divisions in DeKalb County; misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, civil cases up to $20,000, child support, and juvenile matters in District Court; divorce and domestic relations in Circuit Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama), probate matters (DeKalb County Probate Office), city ordinance cases (municipal courts), and parking tickets (issuing agency) |
| Online Case Search | Alacourt public access |
| Criminal Records Requests | DeKalb County Circuit Clerk, Circuit Criminal and District Criminal divisions, (256) 845-8525 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Alapay.com |
How to Search De Kalb County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search. DeKalb County cases are kept by the Circuit Clerk's Office in Fort Payne.
Online
Go to Alacourt public access to look up Alabama case dockets.
Search by name or case number, then open the case summary.
Check the portal for any fees before you search.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to the DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk division that handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Mail
Send your request to DeKalb County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 681149, Fort Payne, AL 35968.
Include the case number, party names, and your return address.
Call (256) 845-8525 first to confirm what the clerk needs.
Best for: Requests when you cannot visit in person
Search by Name on AlabamaCourts.org
Go to AlabamaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types at once without a case number.
Confirm results in the official court portal, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
De Kalb County Court Statistics (FY 2025)
DeKalb County's Circuit and District Courts together are estimated to have received ~12,102 new cases in FY 2025 and disposed of ~13,246, based on FY 2023 reports and the Alabama AOC's 2025 civil dashboard. Civil filings changed +10.6% and family law filings -3.0% from FY 2024.
~12,102
Total filings in FY 2025 (Circuit ~2,761, District ~9,341)
~13,246
Total dispositions in FY 2025 (Circuit ~2,964, District ~10,282)
~163
Filings per 1,000 residents (population 74,085)
~+1.6%
Change in total filings vs FY 2024 (~11,906)
| Metric | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~12,102 | ~11,906 | ~+1.6% |
| Total Dispositions | ~13,246 | ~13,032 | ~+1.6% |
| Criminal Filings (includes traffic) | ~8,420 | ~8,420 | ~+0.0% |
| Civil Filings (includes small claims) | ~2,329 | ~2,107 | ~+10.6% |
| Family Law Filings (domestic relations and child support) | ~906 | ~934 | ~-3.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~446 | ~446 | ~+0.0% |
The civil docket drove the change, moving from ~2,107 to ~2,329 filings.
How Have Court Filings Changed in De Kalb County?
Total filings in DeKalb County are estimated to be higher in FY 2025 than in FY 2023, with the two newest years estimated from the Alabama AOC's 2025 civil dashboard.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025 | ~12,102 | ~13,246 | ~+1.6% |
| FY 2024 | ~11,906 | ~13,032 | ~+3.1% |
| FY 2023 | 11,551 | 12,643 | -11.7% |
| FY 2022 | 13,087 | 13,057 | -8.0% |
| FY 2021 | 14,218 | 14,441 | +11.8% |
Over the five years shown, filings moved -14.9% between FY 2021 and FY 2025, from 14,218 to ~12,102. The largest annual change was FY 2023. In FY 2025, civil filings changed +10.6% and family law filings -3.0%, while criminal and juvenile filings are held at their FY 2023 level.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in De Kalb County?
Criminal cases are estimated to make up the largest share of DeKalb County filings in FY 2025, at 69.6% of the ~12,102 filed.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | ~8,420 | ~69.6% | ~+0.0% |
| Traffic infractions | ~3,477 | ~28.7% | ~+0.0% |
| Felonies | ~833 | ~6.9% | ~+0.0% |
| Nontraffic misdemeanors and other criminal | ~4,110 | ~34.0% | ~+0.0% |
| Civil | ~2,329 | ~19.2% | ~+10.6% |
| Circuit civil | ~346 | ~2.9% | ~+10.6% |
| District civil | ~496 | ~4.1% | ~+10.6% |
| Small claims | ~1,487 | ~12.3% | ~+10.6% |
| Family law | ~906 | ~7.5% | ~-3.0% |
| Domestic relations | ~585 | ~4.8% | ~-3.0% |
| Child support | ~321 | ~2.6% | ~-3.0% |
| Juvenile | ~446 | ~3.7% | ~+0.0% |
Civil was the fastest-growing category at ~+10.6%, while child support was the slowest at ~-3.0%.
How Does De Kalb County Compare With Alabama Overall?
DeKalb County is estimated to account for 1.51% of the ~800,306 cases filed in Alabama circuit and district courts in FY 2025. Its filings are estimated to change more slowly than statewide filings.
| Metric | DeKalb County | Alabama | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~12,102 | ~800,306 | ~1.51% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+1.6% | ~+3.2% | ~1.6 points lower |
| Filings per 1,000 residents | ~163 | ~154 | ~6% above state |
| Dispositions per 1,000 residents | ~179 | ~156 | ~15% above state |
| Criminal share of filings (includes traffic) | ~69.6% | ~63.7% | ~5.9 points higher |
| Civil share of filings (includes small claims) | ~19.2% | ~25.5% | ~6.2 points lower |
| Family law share of filings | ~7.5% | ~7.0% | ~0.5 points higher |
DeKalb County has a more criminal-heavy docket than the state as a whole. It files more cases per resident than Alabama overall.
De Kalb County Crime Statistics (2025)
These are the crimes reported to the FBI in 2025 by the 14 law enforcement agencies in DeKalb County, added together. For the agencies with both years on file, violent crimes rose 59.4% and property crimes rose 8.0% from 2024.
110
Violent crimes in DeKalb County, 2025
607
Property crimes in DeKalb County, 2025
148.5
Violent crime rate per 100K, DeKalb County, 2025
+13.7%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2024 (629 to 715)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4.0 | ~2 | ~+50.0% |
| Rape | 17 | 22.9 | ~11 | ~+54.5% |
| Robbery | 5 | 6.7 | ~3 | ~+66.7% |
| Aggravated assault | 85 | 114.7 | ~53 | ~+60.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 110 | 148.5 | ~69 | ~+59.4% |
| Burglary | 103 | 139.0 | ~95 | ~+8.4% |
| Larceny-theft | 436 | 588.5 | ~404 | ~+7.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 68 | 91.8 | ~63 | ~+7.9% |
| Property crimes total | 607 | 819.3 | ~562 | ~+8.0% |
DeKalb County's violent crime rate of 148.5 per 100K is below the Alabama rate of 350.4, and its property crime rate of 819.3 is below the state's 1,479.4.
De Kalb County Courthouse Locations
DeKalb County has 1 Circuit and District Court location, the courthouse in Fort Payne. Check your notice or ticket for the division and courtroom before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County Courthouse (Fort Payne) | 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200 (Circuit Clerk), Fort Payne, AL 35967 | (256) 845-8525 | Circuit Clerk divisions for circuit civil and criminal, district civil and criminal, domestic relations, child support, small claims, traffic, and garnishments |
Which Court Handles Your Case in De Kalb County?
DeKalb County's Circuit and District Courts share one courthouse in Fort Payne, and the Circuit Clerk's Office routes each case type to a division. Federal cases are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court, Traffic Division | You can mail a cashier's check or money order to the Circuit Clerk or pay online for eligible tickets. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | The District Court Traffic Division does not handle parking tickets, and city-issued tickets go to the city's municipal court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court, Criminal Division | District judges hear misdemeanors; call the Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525. |
| Felony | Circuit Court, Criminal Division | Circuit Court tries felonies, and District Court holds preliminary hearings. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | Misdemeanor DUI goes to District Court and felony DUI goes to Circuit Court, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route; ask the Circuit Clerk about protection orders. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Circuit Court hears claims above $20,000 and District Court hears claims up to $20,000. |
| Small claims | District Court, Small Claims | Small claims cover disputes up to $6,000 and are filed with the Circuit Clerk's small claims division. |
| Eviction | District Court, Unlawful Detainer | District Court hears civil actions based on unlawful detainer. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Divorces are filed with the Circuit Clerk's Domestic Relations division. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations or Child Support division | The Circuit Clerk has a separate Child Support division for support cases. |
| Probate or estate | DeKalb County Probate Office | The Probate Office is separate from the Circuit Clerk's Office. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court | Juvenile cases are heard in District Court; contact the Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525. |
| Appeal | Circuit Court or an Alabama appellate court | Circuit Court hears appeals from District, Probate, and municipal courts. |
Are De Kalb County Court Records Public?
Yes, most DeKalb County court records are public. Alabama's court records privacy and confidentiality rules give the public the right to inspect and copy court records unless a law, rule, or court order says otherwise.
Public records
Most case files in the Circuit and District Courts are open, including dockets, filings, and orders in criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, and domestic relations cases.
Restricted or confidential records
Sealed records and records the rules list as confidential are not available without a court order. Juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings are closed under Alabama law, and grand jury records, youthful offender records, and presentence reports are also protected.
Online access
Alacourt public access lets you look up case dockets for Alabama circuit and district courts. Online results show docket information, not every document, and restricted or closed cases are not shown. Traffic and criminal fines can be paid at Alapay.com.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200, Fort Payne, to view or request records. Call (256) 845-8525 to confirm which division holds your case, or use the records request form on the court website.
Fees
Ask the Circuit Clerk about fees for copies and certified records.
How to Search De Kalb County Court Records Online
Use the official Alabama portals to search DeKalb County cases by case type, and ask the Circuit Clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, or juvenile.
- Open Alacourt public access for circuit and district court dockets, or the DeKalb County court website at dekalb.alacourt.gov.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the docket for case status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Alacourt public access | Docket entries, parties, and case status | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | Alacourt public access; pay at Alapay.com | Case status and docket entries | Payment is separate from record search |
| Civil | Alacourt public access | Docket entries and parties | Sealed or restricted filings are not shown |
| Small claims | Alacourt public access | Docket entries and parties | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | Alacourt public access | Docket entries for domestic relations and child support cases | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | DeKalb County Probate Office, (256) 845-8510 | Estate and guardianship files | Not part of the Circuit Clerk portal; contact the Probate Office |
| Juvenile | Circuit Clerk, (256) 845-8525 | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile proceedings are closed and are not in the public portal |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in De Kalb County
DeKalb County traffic tickets can be paid online, by mail, or in person, depending on the ticket.
- Online: Pay traffic tickets and district criminal cases at Alapay.com.
- Mail: Mail a cashier's check or money order to DeKalb County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 681149, Fort Payne, AL 35968, with your ticket or case number. Personal checks are not accepted.
- In person: Pay at the Circuit Clerk's Office, DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200, Fort Payne.
- Alabama Traffic Service Center: Visit traffic.alacourt.gov or call (866) 954-9399 with questions or to pay.
- Court clerk: Call the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525 about other fines and costs.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by this court's Traffic Division, and city-issued tickets such as those from the Fort Payne Police Department go to Fort Payne Municipal Court, (256) 845-6728.
De Kalb County Court Records FAQ
How do I search DeKalb County court records?
Use Alacourt public access to look up dockets by name or case number, or visit the Circuit Clerk at 300 Grand Avenue South, Fort Payne.
Are DeKalb County court records public?
Yes, most are, under Alabama's court records privacy and confidentiality rules, but sealed and juvenile records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name in Alacourt public access or call the Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525 with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice, look up the case docket online, or call the Circuit Clerk at (256) 845-8525.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online at Alapay.com, mail a cashier's check or money order to the Circuit Clerk, or pay in person at the courthouse in Fort Payne.
How many cases are filed in DeKalb County each year?
DeKalb County recorded 11,551 filings in FY 2023, down 11.7% from 13,087 in FY 2022.
What is the most common type of case?
Criminal cases including traffic, at about 8,420 filings or about 72.9% of the FY 2023 total, with traffic alone at about 3,477.
Is crime in DeKalb County rising or falling?
Reported crimes in the agencies in ALEA's 2017 report, which excludes Fort Payne, rose 2.1% to 1,207 from 1,182 in 2016, although violent crimes edged down from 182 to 179.
Courts in the County
DeKalb County - 9th Judicial CircuitMore Info
| Address: | 300 Grand Avenue South, Fort Payne, AL, 35968 |
| Phone Number: | 256-845-8525 |
| Fax: | 256-845-8535 |
| Website: | http://dekalb.alacourt.gov/courts.html |
DeKalb County Probate CourtMore Info
| Address: | 300 Grand Avenue SW Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL, 35967 |
| Phone Number: | 256-845-8510 |
| Website: | https://www.dekalbprobatejudge.com/ |
Fort Payne Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 100 Alabama Ave. NW., Fort Payne, AL, 35967 |
| Phone Number: | 256-845-6728 |
| Fax: | 256-844-6081 |
| Website: | https://fortpayne.org/city-services/court/ |
Useful Links
- Alacourt.gov - Alabama Unified Judicial System Portal: Access state court records and electronic filings for Alabama, including DeKalb County through this authoritative judicial portal.
- Alabama.gov - Services Directory: Comprehensive directory of services provided by state, including legal, court, and public records resources statewide for general public use.
- Alabama Judicial System - Supreme Court of Alabama: Official source for the state's judicial system, offering court opinions, resources, and administrative information crucial for legal professionals.
- DeKalb County, Alabama - Official Website: Provides essential government department links, services, local legislative information, downloadable forms, and public record access to county residents.
- Alabama Parole Board - Prisoner Records and Services: Offers insights into parole board activities, accessing prisoner records, and support services that impact DeKalb County jurisdiction.
- Dekalb County Circuit Clerk's Office - Official Site: Local court clerk’s office provides court services including records management, case filings, and juror information critical to DeKalb County.
- Alabama Enrollment.gov - Online Public Services: Offers online enrollment services for various state resources including public records, health, and other governmental aid in Alabama.
- Alabama 211 - Community Services Network: Connects residents with local community resources, including legal aid and courthouse services information necessary for addressing local court needs.
- Alabama State Bar - Legal Assistance Resource Center: Provides vital information on finding legal representation, resources for self-representation, and professional guidance in Alabama courts.
- DeKalb County Sheriff's Office - Official Website: Offers public safety information, detention services, and access to arrest records pertinent to DeKalb County residents and researchers.
- Alabama Judicial System - District Civil Division: Key division handling civil matters in Alabama courts, providing procedural rules, forms, and guides for court proceedings.
- Alacourt.gov - Self-Help Resources: Offers valuable resources and guides for Alabama residents representing themselves in court, including forms and procedural advice.
- PACERMonitor - Alabama Middle District Court Records: Service offering insights into ongoing federal cases in the Middle District Court of Alabama for reference by legal professionals.
- AlabamaLegalHelp.org - Valuable Resource for Low-Income Residents: Providing crucial access to free and low-cost legal aid programs operating throughout Alabama for underserved communities.
- Alabama Public Service Commission - Regulation and Oversight: Regulatory agency overseeing public utilities, with information on public hearings, rulings, and legal proceedings related to utilities in Alabama.
- National Association for Court Management (NACM) - Resource for Court Professionals: Provides national standards, research, and resources for improving court management practices affecting jurisdictions like DeKalb County.
- DeKalb Alabama Chamber of Commerce - Local Business Resources: Facilitates local economic development with resources including legal support, regulatory information, and networking opportunities for DeKalb County businesses.
- U.S. Marshals Service - Northern District of Alabama: Provides concise details about law enforcement and fugitive operations within the Northern District of Alabama, impacting DeKalb County.
- Birmingham Public Library - Law and Government Resources: Extensive collection of legal and governmental resources available online, beneficial for Alabama residents seeking legal research support.
- VA Central Alabama Health Care - Regional Veterans Services: Academic services, health benefits, and legal help dedicated to veterans residing within the jurisdiction of Alabama, including neighboring areas.
Table of Contents
- De Kalb County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search De Kalb County Court Records
- De Kalb County Court Statistics (FY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in De Kalb County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in De Kalb County?
- How Does De Kalb County Compare With Alabama Overall?
- De Kalb County Crime Statistics (2025)
- De Kalb County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in De Kalb County?
- Are De Kalb County Court Records Public?
- How to Search De Kalb County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in De Kalb County
- De Kalb County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links