Alabama Family Court Forms and Filing Resources: Find the Right Form Fast
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Alabama publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Alabama sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.
Alabama's core family statutes live in the Alabama Code Title 30 - Domestic Relations. You can start a new case online, but to e-file into a case that already exists you first call the circuit clerk's office and ask to be linked to your case.
How the Alabama court system handles family cases
Family cases in Alabama are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce, custody, and support are filed in the Circuit Court.
Alabama's 67 counties are grouped into numbered judicial circuits; each circuit covers one or more counties.
Appeals from a family case generally go first to the Court of Civil Appeals, and the state's highest court is the Supreme Court of Alabama. Family appeals go to the Court of Civil Appeals first.
Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.
Official Alabama resources
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Alabama state courts website (Alabama judicial branch): The official home of the Alabama court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.alacourt.gov
Alabama family law forms (Alabama judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Alabama cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://eforms.alacourt.gov
Alabama self-help resources (Alabama courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Alabama family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org
AlaFile (Alabama Administrative Office of Courts): AlaFile is Alabama's statewide e-filing system and it is up and running. You can register for a free account and file online, or file on paper with your circuit clerk if you prefer. https://alafile.alacourt.gov/
Alabama county courts and clerks map (Alabama judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.alacourt.gov/JudicialCircuits.aspx
Alabama rules of procedure (Alabama judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Alabama. https://judicial.alabama.gov/rules/index
Alabama mediation and dispute resolution (Alabama judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Alabama family cases. https://www.alabamaadr.org
Alabama financial affidavit and disclosure forms (alacourt.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Alabama family cases ask for. https://www.alacourt.gov/docs/cs-41.2008.pdf
Alabama child support guideline resources (alacourt.gov): Official Alabama child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://eforms.alacourt.gov/child-support-forms/
Alacourt Public Access (Alabama courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as paid and the system is organized statewide. https://pa.alacourt.com/
Frequently used official Alabama forms
These links open official Alabama government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.
Answer to Divorce Complaint (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/dcblqckl/answer-to-divorce-complaint.pdf
Divorce Complaint (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/lmgc2trw/divorce-complaint.pdf
Uncontested Divorce Packet (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/ah3bv32s/uncontested-divorce-packet.pdf
Child Support Guidelines (Form CS-42), form CS-42 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/javfgfhx/cs-42-rev-01-03-2019.pdf
Child Support Guidelines Notice of Compliance (Form CS-43), form CS-43 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/z4fltpdq/child-support-guidelines-notice-of-compliance.pdf
Child Support Information Sheet (CS-47), form CS-47 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/dgij05u1/cs-47-rev-12-2021.pdf
Child Support Obligation Income Statement / Affidavit (Form CS-41), form CS-41 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/znun1gl5/child-support-obligation-income-statement-affidavit.pdf
Complaint for Paternity and Child Support (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/t0mo514a/complaint-for-paternity-and-child-support.pdf
Complaint for Paternity and Child Support (Alleged Father) (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/uxtakj3p/complaint-for-paternity-and-child-support-alleged-father.pdf
Order of Support (CS-4), form CS-4 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/kryhdzs0/order-of-support.pdf
Revised Child Support Worksheet 5 22 (Child Support), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/c5vl4eht/revised-child-support-worksheet-5-22.pdf
Application and Affidavit for Entry of Default (Paternity,Support) (Paternity), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/iachmfrq/application-and-affidavit-for-entry-of-default-paternity-support.pdf
Application and Affidavit for Entry of Default Judgment (Paternity,Support) (Paternity), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/zlcbflwz/application-and-affidavit-for-entry-of-default-judgment-paternity-support.pdf
Application, Affidavit, Entry of Default and Default Judgment (Paternity) (CS-17), form CS-17 (Paternity), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/1gffhqd2/cs-17-10-2023.pdf
Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order (C-10), form C-10 (Fee Waiver), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/cqjl33ke/c-10-civil-affidavit-of-substantial-hardship-order-10-2023.pdf
Motion to Continue Proceedings for Support, Order of Continuance (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/naiibwmf/motion-to-continue-proceedings-for-support-order-of-continuance.pdf
Petition for Protection from Abuse (C-02), form C-02 (Domestic Violence), official document: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/gx4gzr2x/c-2-petition-for-protection-from-abuse-rev-10-2023.pdf
Filing fees: Filing fees vary by county; typically $250-$350 for divorce.
E-filing link data for Alabama was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find official Alabama family court forms?
The official statewide source is the Alabama judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.
Can I e-file my own family case in Alabama?
AlaFile is Alabama's statewide e-filing system and it is up and running. You can register for a free account and file online, or file on paper with your circuit clerk if you prefer. You can start a new case online, but to e-file into a case that already exists you first call the circuit clerk's office and ask to be linked to your case.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Alabama?
Filing fees vary by county; typically $250-$350 for divorce. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Which court hears family cases in Alabama?
Family cases in Alabama are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce, custody, and support are filed in the Circuit Court.
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