Russell County Public Records

Russell County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Phenix City. Located on the Georgia border across from Columbus, this county of about 60,000 residents maintains property records, court files, and vital records at the county seat.

Russell County Probate Court

The Russell County Probate Court handles all property records in the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are filed here. The office also issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. Probate matters like wills and estates go through this court too.

The Probate Court is in the Russell County Courthouse in Phenix City. The courthouse sits downtown, and you can visit in person to search records. Staff can help you find what you need. Bring the property address or names of the parties involved. This makes the search go faster.

Russell County has a more limited online presence than some larger Alabama counties. Many searches still need to be done in person or by mail. The office can do searches for you if you send a written request with the details. Include a check for the search fee and copy costs.

Russell County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records for Russell County. This office is separate from the Probate Court. Civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and traffic violations are all filed here. Russell County is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with no other county.

You can search Russell County court records through the state Alacourt system. The Circuit Clerk website at russell.alacourt.gov has basic information about the office. For detailed case searches, use AlacourtAccess. The search fee is $9.99 per name, and that gets you one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images are $5.00 for the first 20 pages.

Russell County sees a mix of case types. Being on the Georgia border brings some unique situations. People who live in Phenix City but work in Columbus, Georgia may have legal matters in both states. The court handles plenty of domestic relations cases, property disputes, and standard civil matters. Criminal cases range from traffic offenses to more serious charges.

Russell County Property Records

Property records in Russell County go back many years. The Probate Court has deed books, mortgage records, and plat maps. Older records are stored in books that you can view in person. More recent records may be in computer indexes.

To search property records, you can visit the courthouse or request a search by mail. Provide as much detail as you can. The property address is most helpful. You can also search by the owner's name. The legal description works too if you have it from an old deed. Staff will search the index and pull the relevant documents for you to view.

The Revenue Commissioner handles property tax records. Tax maps show parcel boundaries and ownership. The GIS department may have online maps you can view. These show property lines and can help you identify parcels before you search deed records. Tax records tell you assessed values and tax amounts paid over the years.

Title searches in Russell County work like anywhere else in Alabama. You trace the chain of ownership back through the deeds. Check for any liens or encumbrances along the way. Most title companies know the local records well. If you are doing your own search, give yourself plenty of time. Older records can take a while to find and read.

Russell County Recording Fees

Russell County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These fees follow state guidelines but can vary slightly. Always confirm current fees before sending payment. The office can tell you exact costs over the phone.

Standard fees in Russell County include:

• Deed recording: $36 for the first page, $3 each additional page
• Mortgage recording: $36 for the first page, $3 each additional page
• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page plus certification fee
• Search fee: varies by type of search

Deed tax applies to property transfers. The rate is $0.50 per $500 of the sale price. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of the loan amount. These taxes are paid at the time of recording. The Probate Court collects them along with the recording fees.

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order. Some offices now take credit cards but may add a convenience fee. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment work best. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to Russell County Probate Court.

Russell County Vital Records

Vital records in Russell County include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. The Probate Court handles marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. Birth and death certificates are available through the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Marriage licenses cost $71.50 in Alabama. There is no waiting period. Both parties must appear in person at the Probate Court to get the license. No witnesses are needed. The license is valid for 30 days. After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the Probate Court for recording. Copies of marriage records are available from the Probate Court after filing.

For birth and death records, you have two options. The state Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery keeps statewide records. You can also try the county health department for some records. The state is usually faster for certified copies. Fees apply, and you must prove your relationship to the person named on the certificate.

Russell County has historical vital records that may not be fully indexed. Older marriage records are in bound books at the courthouse. Research may take some time if you are looking for records from many years ago. The staff can point you in the right direction.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to access most government records. Russell County follows the state open records act. You can request records from any county office. Some records have restrictions based on privacy laws.

To request records, contact the office that has what you need. For property records, that is the Probate Court. For court cases, contact the Circuit Clerk. For county government records, contact the relevant department. Put your request in writing when possible. Be specific about what you want.

The county must respond within a reasonable time. Under the 2024 changes to Alabama law, agencies should reply within 15 business days for standard requests. Complex requests may take longer. Fees for copies and search time may apply. The office will tell you the cost before they do the work.

Some records are confidential. Adoption files are sealed. Juvenile court records have restrictions. Mental health records are protected. Certain law enforcement records may be withheld. If your request is denied, you can appeal. The office must cite the legal basis for any denial.

Legal Resources in Russell County

If you need legal help in Russell County, several options exist. The county has local attorneys who handle various matters. The Lee-Russell Council of Governments provides some services to the area. Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents in east Alabama.

Legal Services Alabama has an office that covers Russell County. They help with civil matters like housing, family law, and benefits issues. Income limits apply for their services. You can apply online or call their intake line. They do not handle criminal cases.

The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service. Call them if you need to find an attorney. They can connect you with someone who handles your type of case. Some lawyers offer free consultations. Others charge a small fee for the first meeting.

For self-help resources, check the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts website. They have forms for common legal matters. The local public library may have legal reference books. You can also find information through the Russell County law library at the courthouse. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find resources.

Georgia Border Considerations

Russell County sits directly on the Georgia state line. Phenix City and Columbus, Georgia are essentially one metro area split by the Chattahoochee River. This location creates some unique situations for public records.

If you need records from Georgia, Russell County cannot help you. Georgia has its own court system and recording offices. Muscogee County in Georgia handles records for Columbus. Their procedures differ from Alabama. You would need to contact their offices directly.

Some people own property in both states. Some have court cases in both jurisdictions. Keep track of which state you need. Alabama records stay in Alabama. Georgia records stay in Georgia. The states do not share databases or recording systems.

Military personnel at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) may have records in multiple places. The base straddles the state line. Where someone files depends on their residence and where the transaction happened. Ask the relevant office if you are not sure.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County contains several cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Russell County Probate Court in Phenix City. Court cases go through the Russell County Circuit Court.

The main cities in Russell County include Phenix City, Hurtsboro, Fort Mitchell, Seale, and Cottonton. Phenix City is by far the largest, with most of the county's population. It serves as the county seat and the center of commerce for the area.

None of the cities in Russell County have separate public records offices. Everything goes through the county level. This keeps things simpler, though it means a trip to Phenix City for in-person searches.

Nearby Counties

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