Randolph County Deed Records Search

Randolph County deed records are kept at the Probate Court in Wedowee. Online access is available through the Ingenuity portal for searching and viewing recorded documents.

Randolph County Probate Court

The Randolph County Probate Judge records all deeds in the county. This office on Main Street South in Wedowee handles property recordings and searches. Staff maintain deed books going back to when the county was formed in 1832.

Randolph County is in east central Alabama along the Georgia border. The county has a rural character with Lake Wedowee being a popular recreation area. The Probate Court in Wedowee serves all residents who need to record deeds or search property records. The small county seat makes for quick visits when you need to access records in person.

Searching Randolph County Deed Records Online

Randolph County uses the Ingenuity system for online deed records. Access the portal at ingprobate.com/randolph_probate. This system lets you search by name, date range, or document type. Most index searches are free.

The online portal covers many years of Randolph County records. You can find deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. The index shows grantor and grantee names with recording dates and book and page numbers. Document images may be available for viewing or downloading at a small cost per page.

The Ingenuity system is used by several Alabama counties. If you know how to use it in one county, you can use it in Randolph County too. The search interface is similar across all counties on this platform.

Documents available through the Randolph County online system include:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents
• Mortgage releases and satisfactions
• Tax liens and judgment liens
• Easements and rights of way
• Plats and surveys

Randolph County Deed Recording Fees

Randolph County charges $12.00 to record the first page of a deed. Each additional page costs $3.00. These fees are typical for smaller Alabama counties. Your total depends on the length of your document.

The deed transfer tax also applies. Alabama charges $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds goes to the state treasury. One third stays in Randolph County. Some transfers are exempt, such as those between husband and wife or certain family gifts.

Recording fees in Randolph County are:

• First page: $12.00
• Additional pages: $3.00 each
• Deed tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• RT-1 form: no charge
• Certified copies: additional fee

Every deed needs an RT-1 form. This Real Estate Sales Validation Form shows the sale price or fair market value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires it statewide. Without the RT-1, Randolph County will not record your deed.

How to Record a Deed in Randolph County

Recording a deed in Randolph County follows Alabama's requirements. Your document must have certain information or the Probate Court cannot accept it. Having everything ready saves time at the courthouse.

Alabama requires every deed to include:

• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and complete mailing address
• Legal description of the property
• Derivation clause citing the prior deed
• Name of who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors

Bring your completed deed to 1 Main Street South in Wedowee. Staff review the document and calculate your fees. You pay the recording fee and any deed tax that applies. The clerk stamps your deed with the recording date and assigns a book and page number.

Processing is usually quick in Randolph County. The smaller volume means less wait time than in larger counties. You can wait for your original or come back later to pick it up. Keep the recording information for your records.

Lake Wedowee Property Records

Lake Wedowee, also called R.L. Harris Reservoir, is a popular recreation area in Randolph County. A lot of real estate activity involves lake property. If you are buying or selling lakefront land, the deed search process is the same as for any other property.

Waterfront properties may have special considerations. Alabama Power controls the lake level and has easements along the shore. Check for any easements that affect what you can build near the water. Dock permits are separate from land ownership and require Alabama Power approval.

Lake properties often have subdivision covenants. These restrictions run with the land and show up in the deed records. A title search should reveal any covenants that limit how you can use the property. Review these carefully before buying lakefront land in Randolph County.

Title Searches in Randolph County

Title searches in Randolph County can start online with the Ingenuity system. Look up the current owner and trace backward through prior deeds. The online records make this easier than using paper books alone.

Beyond deeds, check for mortgages and liens. These claims against property show up in the same index. A thorough search covers all types of recorded documents. Most buyers hire a title company or attorney to do this work.

A Randolph County title search should check:

• Chain of ownership through prior deeds
• Outstanding mortgages
• Tax liens from unpaid taxes
• Judgment liens from court cases
• Easements on the property
• Subdivision covenants and restrictions

Title insurance protects against problems missed in the search. Mortgage lenders require it on financed purchases. Buyers can also get owner's policies for extra protection when buying land in Randolph County.

Property Tax Records in Randolph County

The Randolph County Revenue Commissioner handles property taxes. This office assesses values and collects annual taxes. Tax records are separate from deed records but linked through parcel numbers.

Tax maps show property boundaries in Randolph County. Each parcel has an ID number connecting it to ownership and tax data. You can use this information to identify a property before searching deeds at the Probate Court.

Unpaid property taxes create liens. These liens show up in the Probate Court records. Check tax status before buying land in Randolph County. You do not want to inherit someone else's tax problems.

Legal Resources in Randolph County

Real estate attorneys can help with property matters in Randolph County. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at (800) 392-5660. They connect you with attorneys who handle deeds and closings.

Legal Services Alabama provides free help to low-income residents. They serve Randolph County through their regional office. Call (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance with property questions.

The Probate Court staff can answer questions about recording procedures. They cannot give legal advice but can explain what documents you need and how the process works.

Nearby Counties

Randolph County is in east central Alabama along the Georgia border. These counties share borders with Randolph County. Check that your property is actually in Randolph County before searching here.