Geneva County Public Records

Geneva County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in the city of Geneva. This rural southeast Alabama county serves about 26,000 residents and uses the Ingenuity system for online court record access.

Geneva County Probate Court

The Geneva County Probate Court handles property records for the entire county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also oversees elections and mental health commitments. All land transactions in Geneva County must be recorded here.

The courthouse sits in downtown Geneva. Staff can help you search records and get copies. Most property records are indexed by name and legal description. You can search grantor and grantee indexes to find deeds. The office keeps records going back many decades, though the oldest ones may need more time to locate.

Geneva County is a smaller county, so the staff often has more time to help with searches. Walk-in requests are common. If you call ahead, they can sometimes have documents ready when you arrive. This saves time if you know exactly what you need.

Search Geneva County Records Online

Geneva County court records are available through the statewide Alacourt system. The county uses Ingenuity software to manage its court case data. This feeds into the state portal that covers all Alabama courts.

AlacourtAccess lets you search by name or case number. A basic name search costs $9.99 and shows case summaries. Each full case detail costs $9.99 more. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. The system covers civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic cases.

For property records, Geneva County has not yet put its full index online. You will need to visit the Probate Court in person or call to request searches. Some Alabama counties have online property portals, but Geneva County still relies on in-person access for most deed searches. The county may add online access in the future as more rural counties digitize their records.

Visit pa.alacourt.com to search Geneva County court cases online. The Circuit Clerk website at geneva.alacourt.gov has local court information and contact details.

Geneva County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Geneva County. Court records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce filings, and traffic matters. Geneva County is part of the 33rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Dale County.

Civil cases cover disputes between people or businesses. This includes contract cases, personal injury claims, and property disputes. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. The Circuit Court handles all felony cases while the District Court handles misdemeanors and small claims.

Family court matters include divorce, child custody, and child support cases. These records may have some restricted information to protect minors. Adoption records are sealed under Alabama law. You cannot access them without a court order.

The Circuit Clerk can provide certified copies of court documents. Fees apply for copies. You can request records in person, by mail, or through an attorney. Some older cases may be archived and take longer to retrieve.

Geneva County Recording Fees

Geneva County follows state fee guidelines with some local variations. Fees can change, so call ahead to confirm current rates. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some services may accept credit cards.

Common fees in Geneva County:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Recording fee: varies by document type
• Marriage license: approximately $70-80
• Search fee: may apply for extended searches

Recording fees include both state and county portions. Alabama deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes apply on top of the basic recording fee. The county keeps detailed records of all fees collected.

Court record fees follow the state schedule. Certified copies of court documents cost more than plain copies. Some records require additional fees for research time. Prisoners and indigent parties may qualify for fee waivers in court cases.

Geneva County Property Records

Property records in Geneva County go through the Probate Court. Every deed, mortgage, and lien must be recorded to be valid against third parties. The recording system protects property rights and creates a public record of ownership.

Deeds transfer property from one owner to another. Warranty deeds offer the most protection to buyers. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor has without warranties. Both types must be recorded to protect the new owner.

Mortgages and deeds of trust secure loans with real property. When you pay off a mortgage, the lender should record a release. If they fail to do so, you may need to contact them to get it done. Unreleased mortgages can cause problems when you try to sell or refinance.

Liens can attach to property for unpaid taxes, judgments, or contractor work. Tax liens take priority over most other liens. Mechanic's liens protect contractors and suppliers who work on property improvements. Judgment liens come from court cases where someone owes money.

Title searches review the chain of ownership. Title companies and attorneys do these before closings. They check for liens, easements, and other matters that affect the property. Geneva County's records staff can help locate documents, but they cannot give legal advice about what the records mean.

Geneva County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are handled by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The Geneva County Health Department can help with these requests. You can also order vital records online through the state VitalChek system.

Marriage licenses come from the Probate Court. Alabama changed its marriage law in 2019. Couples no longer need a ceremony. Instead, both parties sign a marriage certificate form and submit it to the Probate Court. The form must be notarized. Once recorded, the marriage is legal.

Divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk since divorces go through the court system. You can search for divorce cases on Alacourt or request copies from the clerk. Divorce decrees contain the terms of the divorce, including property division and custody arrangements.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. The state open records law requires agencies to respond to requests in a reasonable time. Written requests work best because they create a record of what you asked for.

For Geneva County records, contact the office that has the records you need. Property records go through Probate. Court records go through the Circuit Clerk. County commission records go through the county administrator. Each office may have its own process.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, ongoing investigations, and certain legal matters may be restricted. Medical records have privacy protections. If an office denies your request, they should tell you why and cite the exemption.

Response times vary by request complexity. Simple requests for known documents may be filled the same day. Complex requests that require searching multiple files take longer. The office may charge for staff time on extended searches.

Cities in Geneva County

Geneva County has several small cities and towns. All property records are filed at the Geneva County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Geneva County Circuit Court in the city of Geneva.

The main communities in Geneva County include Geneva (the county seat), Hartford, Samson, Slocomb, and Malvern. These towns share county services and file records at the same courthouse. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page, but records for all of them can be found through the county offices described above.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Geneva County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below.

Legal Resources for Geneva County

If you need help with legal matters in Geneva County, several resources are available. The Alabama State Bar can refer you to local attorneys. Legal aid organizations help people who cannot afford lawyers.

Legal Services Alabama serves low-income residents in Geneva County. They help with civil matters like housing, family law, and public benefits. You must meet income guidelines to qualify for free legal help.

The Geneva County law library is located at the courthouse. It has Alabama code books, case reporters, and legal forms. The library is open to the public during court hours. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find materials.

Self-help forms are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The state website has forms for uncontested divorces, small claims, and other common matters. You can fill these out yourself if your case is straightforward.