Baldwin County
Baldwin County is located along the Gulf Coast and was established in 1809. Spanning around 1,589.9 square miles, the county is Alabama's largest by land mass. Its county seat is Bay Minette, while Daphne is the largest city in the county. Baldwin County has a population of over 231,767 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
The court structure in Baldwin County includes municipal courts, district courts, circuit courts, and probate courts. Municipal courts, including those in Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, and Summerdale, handle violations of local ordinances, such as traffic offenses and misdemeanors. District courts in Baldwin County deal with civil cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $20,000, most misdemeanor criminal cases, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. They accept guilty pleas in cases that do not include the death penalty. Baldwin County Circuit Court is the highest trial court and has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, some misdemeanors, and lesser-included offenses. It also handles family law matters, appeals from lower courts, and general civil claims where the amount in dispute is more than $10,000, excluding interest and costs. Baldwin County Probate Court oversees cases related to the administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and involuntary mental health commitments.
Court records are generated during legal proceedings, and they contain information on rulings, motions, pleadings, complaints, written decisions issued by the judge, and transcripts of hearings. These records are public in Baldwin County per Alabama Open Record Law and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office. These records include:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Family Records
Interested individuals can visit the Alabama Court Access Portal to conduct a name-based search for Baldwin County Court records for $9.99 or a case dockets search. Probate Court records in Baldwin County can be accessed through the court's Online Service Portal, although fees apply for obtaining physical or certified copies. Baldwin County Clerk's office also manages the administration of the courts and assists in case management.
