Search Alabama Traffic Ticket Records
Alabama traffic ticket records are maintained by District Courts, Municipal Courts, and the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The state operates 67 District Courts (one per county) and over 300 municipal courts that handle traffic citations. State troopers issue citations under Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) authority, while county deputies and city police operate under their respective jurisdictions. Records are accessible through the Alacourt system for state courts and through individual municipal court portals. Under Alabama Code Title 36, Chapter 12, most traffic court records are considered public records available for search and copy requests.
Alabama Traffic Court System
Primary Sources for Traffic Ticket Records
Alabama Traffic Service Center
The Alabama Traffic Service Center provides online access to traffic citations issued by state troopers, county deputies, and participating municipal agencies. The system allows defendants to search for tickets using their Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) number and date of birth. The portal is operated by the Administrative Office of Courts and provides options for paying fines, requesting driving school, and viewing case status.
- Website: traffic.alacourt.gov
- Phone: 1-866-954-9399
- Search By: UTC number + date of birth
Alacourt Access
Alacourt Access is the paid subscription service that provides comprehensive access to all Alabama state trial court records. This includes traffic court cases from all 67 District Courts. The system allows searches by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers. Alacourt Access is the most comprehensive source for traffic court records in Alabama, though it does not include municipal court records from cities that operate independent court systems.
- Website: pa.alacourt.com
- Search Options: Name search, case number search
- Records Available: Traffic, criminal, civil, domestic, small claims
AlaPay Payment Portal
AlaPay is the state's credit card payment site for traffic fines. You can pay tickets from any state court here. Search by ticket number or case number. Pay with a credit or debit card. The site is run by the Administrative Office of Courts and works for most traffic cases filed in District Court. A 4% fee applies to all card payments. Cash or money order at the clerk's office avoids this fee. The site works on phones and tablets too.
- Website: alapay.com
- Search By: Ticket number or case number
District Court Clerk Offices
All 67 Alabama counties have a District Court. This is where traffic cases go. The Circuit Clerk keeps all traffic court files. You can ask for searches, copies, and certified docs. Walk in and you can get help the same day in most cases. Mail takes a week or two. Each county clerk page on this site has the phone, address, and hours you need. Fees for copies and searches are the same across most counties, but some charge a bit more for rush jobs.
Municipal Courts
Alabama has over 300 municipal courts that handle traffic tickets issued by city police within city limits. These courts operate independently of the state court system, though some participate in the Alacourt network. Major cities including Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery operate their own municipal court systems with separate record-keeping and payment options. Contact the specific municipal court where the citation was issued for records from city police.
Fees for Traffic Ticket Records
Court Record Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Computerized record search | $10.00 |
| Paper record search | $20.00 |
| Copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Copies (21+ pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Alacourt name search | $9.99 per search |
| Alacourt case search | $29.99 per search |
Driver Record Fees (ALEA)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Three-year driving record | $5.75 |
| Certified driving record | $5.75 |
| Motor vehicle record request | $5.75 |
Payment Convenience Fees
| Payment Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| AlaPay credit card | 4% |
| Municipal online payments | 2.5% - 3.5% |
| In-person cash or money order | None |
Secondary Sources
ALEA Driver Records
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains comprehensive driving history records for all licensed Alabama drivers. These records show traffic violations, points accumulated, license suspensions, and reinstatements. Driver records can be requested online through the ALEA portal or by mail using the Driver Record Request form. The three-year driving history is available online, while lifetime driving abstracts require an in-person visit to an ALEA Reinstatement Office.
- Online Portal: alabamadl.alea.gov
- Phone: (334) 242-4241
- Mail: P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471
Crash Reports
State trooper crash reports often have ticket info from the wreck. ALEA keeps these files. You can ask for them through their Records Request Portal. If no one got hurt, the report is ready in about 10 days. Injury crashes take more time. The cops have to do a full look into what went down. Some crash reports list the tickets that were given at the scene. These can help if you need proof for insurance or court.
- Records Portal: ALEA Records Request
Insurance Verification
ALEA runs a database that tracks car insurance. It's called MLI. If you got a ticket for no insurance, this is where the state checks your status. The court may ask ALEA to verify if you were insured when you got pulled over. You can also check your own status. Keep proof of insurance in your car at all times. A lapse, even for one day, can show up in this system and cause problems with your license or registration.
Additional Resources
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
The AOC oversees all Alabama state courts and operates the Alacourt system. The AOC website provides court forms, information about court procedures, and links to individual court websites. The AOC also operates the electronic filing system (AlaFile) used by attorneys and pro se litigants.
- Website: alacourt.gov
- Phone: (334) 954-5000
- Toll-Free: 1-866-954-9411
- Court Forms: eforms.alacourt.gov
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Old court files get sent to the state archives. If a case is more than a few years old, the county may not have it anymore. Check with the Alabama Department of Archives and History. They keep records that courts no longer store on site. This is rare for traffic tickets, but it can happen with very old cases. Call or email the archives to ask what they have. Some files are on microfilm. Others have been scanned.
Commercial Background Check Services
Private companies pull court data from public records. These sites may show traffic ticket history. The info is often a few weeks or months behind. It may not be complete. If you need a certified copy, go to the court that handled the case. Only the court can give you an official stamped copy. Background check sites work fine for a quick look, but they do not replace court records for legal or job purposes.
Legal Framework
Uniform Traffic Ticket Requirements
Alabama Code Section 12-12-53 sets the rules for traffic tickets. All cops must use the same form. It's called the Uniform Traffic Ticket. State troopers, sheriff deputies, and city police all use it. This keeps things the same across the state. The UTC number is key. It's how courts track your case. Use this number when you search online or call about your ticket. Without it, finding your case takes longer.
Traffic Violation Penalties
Most traffic tickets are misdemeanors. That's set by Alabama Code Section 32-5A-8. A first offense means a fine up to $100. You could also get up to 10 days in jail, though that's rare for minor stuff. Get caught again and the fine goes up. DUI is a whole different thing. So is reckless driving. Those carry much steeper fines and jail time. Check Alabama Code Section 32-5A-190 for the serious offenses. Points add up too, which can lead to a suspended license.
Public Records Access
Traffic court records in Alabama are generally considered public records under Alabama Code Sections 36-12-40 through 36-12-46 (Open Records Act). Only Alabama residents can request records under the current version of this law. Reasonable fees may be charged for search and copy services. Juvenile traffic records and records sealed by court order are exempt from public access.
License Suspension for Unpaid Fines
Don't pay your ticket? Your license gets suspended. Miss your court date? Same thing. This happens fast in Alabama. You can't just renew and move on. The hold stays until you clear the case. Pay the fine. Pay the court costs. Then pay ALEA the reinstatement fee. Only then can you get your license back. A warrant may also be issued if you don't show up for court. It's not worth the hassle. Just deal with the ticket on time.
Points System
Moving violations add points to your record. Too many points means a suspended license. Get 12 to 14 points in two years and you lose your license for 60 days. Hit 24 points and it's a full year. Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the ticket. Some folks can do driving school to avoid points. Not all tickets allow this. Check with the court to see if you qualify. Speeding a few miles over is often eligible. More serious stuff is not.
Start Your Search
Use our search tool to access traffic ticket records from across Alabama. Search by name, case number, or other available information.
Browse by County
Alabama has 67 counties, each with a District Court that handles traffic cases from state troopers and county sheriff citations. Select a county below for local court contact information and resources.
Browse by City
Major Alabama cities operate municipal courts that handle traffic tickets issued by city police. Select a city below for municipal court information and local resources.