Randolph County Public Records

Randolph County public records are held by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Wedowee. The county uses the Ingenuity system for online court record searches.

Randolph County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Wedowee handles property records for Randolph County. This office manages deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. The Probate Judge also oversees estate matters and adoptions. All land transfers in the county must be filed here to be valid.

You can visit the office in person to search records or make copies. The staff can help you find what you need. Bring as much info as you have about the record you want. Names, dates, and property addresses all help speed up the search process. Phone calls work too if you just need basic info or want to check on a filing status.

The courthouse sits on the town square in Wedowee. Parking is free on the streets around the square. The Probate office is on the first floor. Plan to arrive before 4:00 PM to make sure you have time to complete your request.

Search Randolph County Records Online

Randolph County court records are on the statewide Alacourt system. This is the same system used across all 67 Alabama counties for court case data. Property records at the Probate Court are not yet online. You must visit the office or call for those.

The Circuit Clerk uses the Ingenuity case management system. This feeds into the Alacourt public access portal. To search Randolph County court cases, go to pa.alacourt.com. You can look up civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic matters. The site covers District Court and Circuit Court records.

A basic name search costs $9.99. This fee gives you one case detail. If you find more cases, each extra one is $9.99 to view. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages, then $1.00 per page after that. The system takes credit cards. You can also set up an account for regular use.

For direct info from the Circuit Clerk, visit randolph.alacourt.gov. This site has contact info, office hours, and forms you might need. It does not have a free case search. All searches go through the paid Alacourt portal.

Randolph County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Randolph County. This is a separate office from the Probate Court. Court files include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorces, and child custody matters. Small claims and traffic cases are in the District Court, which the Circuit Clerk also manages.

Randolph County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Chambers, Clay, Tallapoosa, and Cleburne counties. The same group of judges rotates through these counties. Each county has its own clerk and case files, though. A case filed in Randolph County stays in Randolph County.

You can request copies of court documents in person or by mail. Walk-in requests are handled while you wait if the file is in the building. Older files may be in storage, which takes longer to pull. Mail requests should include the case number if you have it. Include a check for the copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Certain records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases, adoptions, and some mental health matters are not public. You cannot get copies of these unless you are a party to the case or have a court order. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a record is available.

Randolph County Property Records

Deeds, mortgages, and other land records are filed at the Probate Court. Alabama uses a recording system, not a registration system. This means anyone can file a document, and the order of filing determines priority. The county does not verify that documents are valid before recording them.

To search property records, you need either the property owner's name or a legal description. The grantor/grantee index lists all recorded documents by party name. This is how most searches start. If you have the parcel number or book and page, the staff can pull records directly.

Tax records are handled by the Revenue Commissioner, not the Probate Court. For property tax questions, payment status, or tax lien info, contact that office separately. The tax assessor handles property value assessments and exemptions like homestead.

Randolph County property records go back to 1832 when the county was formed. Very old records may be harder to read. The county has not digitized all historical records yet. Staff can help you work through older handwritten documents if needed.

Randolph County Recording Fees

Fees for recording and copies follow state law with some local additions. Alabama sets minimum fees that all counties must charge. Individual counties can add to these for local needs. Confirm current rates before sending payment.

Standard fees in Randolph County:

• Deed recording: $10 first page, $4 each extra page
• Mortgage recording: $10 first page, $4 each extra page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus $1 certification
• Plat recording: varies by size

Recording taxes apply on top of filing fees. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of sale price. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These taxes split between state and county portions. Some transfers are exempt from tax, like deeds between family members or transfers into trusts. Ask the Probate office about exemptions.

Vital Records in Randolph County

Birth and death certificates come from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. The Probate Court does not issue these. You can order vital records online at alabamapublichealth.gov or by mail.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Since August 2019, Alabama no longer requires a ceremony. You get the license, both parties sign it along with a witness, and file it back with the Probate Court. The fee is $70.70 for the license. A certified copy costs extra.

Divorce records are at the Circuit Clerk, not the Probate Court. Divorces are civil cases, so they follow court record rules. You can get case info through Alacourt or by contacting the clerk directly. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available for a fee.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access public records. Most government documents are open unless a specific law makes them confidential. You do not need to explain why you want a record. The county must respond within a reasonable time.

For property records, go to the Probate Court. For court cases, contact the Circuit Clerk. For other county government records, contact the department that holds them. Each office handles its own records. There is no single portal for all Randolph County records.

Put your request in writing when possible. Include your name, contact info, and a clear description of what you want. The more specific you are, the faster you will get results. Vague requests take longer because staff must figure out what you mean.

Fees for copies are set by law. The county can charge for staff time if your request takes more than 15 minutes to fill. They must tell you the estimated cost before starting work. You can then decide whether to proceed or narrow your request.

Cities in Randolph County

Randolph County has several small towns. Wedowee is the county seat and largest town. All property records file at the county Probate Court. Court cases go through the county court system in Wedowee.

Towns in Randolph County include Wedowee, Roanoke, and Woodland. None of these exceed 100,000 in population. For records on people or property in these towns, use the county offices listed above.

Nearby Counties

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