Access Russell County Deed Records

Russell County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in Phenix City. The county sits on the Georgia border across from Columbus, making it part of a larger metro area.

Russell County Probate Court

The Russell County Probate Judge handles all deed recordings in the county. This office on Broad Street in Phenix City records property documents and maintains the deed indexes. Staff can help you search records by name or property description.

Russell County is unique in Alabama because of its location. Phenix City sits directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia. Many residents work in Georgia but live in Alabama. This cross-border situation means some property buyers are not familiar with Alabama deed requirements. The Probate Court staff help people from both states navigate the recording process.

Searching Russell County Deed Records

Russell County has limited online access to deed records. Most searches require contacting the Probate Court directly. You can call (334) 298-7979 to ask about specific properties or deeds. Staff can look up information and tell you what they find.

For in-person searches, visit the Probate Court on Broad Street in Phenix City. Staff can help you use the deed index books. These list grantors and grantees with the book and page numbers where deeds are recorded. Once you find an entry, staff can pull the document for you to view.

You can also request searches by mail. Write to the Probate Court with the property details and what you need. Include a check for copy fees if you want documents mailed back. Response times depend on how busy the office is.

Records available at the Russell County Probate Court include:

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

Russell County Deed Recording Fees

Russell County has a straightforward fee structure. Recording costs $3.00 per page. A $5.00 indexing fee applies to each document. This makes Russell County one of the cheaper places to record deeds in Alabama.

For a typical two-page deed, you pay $6.00 in page fees plus the $5.00 indexing fee. That comes to $11.00 before any deed tax. Longer documents cost more since the per-page fee applies to every page in the document.

Recording fees in Russell County are:

• Per page fee: $3.00
• Indexing fee: $5.00 per document
• Deed tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• RT-1 form: no charge
• Certified copies: additional fee

The deed transfer tax applies on sales. Alabama charges $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds goes to the state and one third stays in Russell County. Some transfers are exempt, like those between spouses or certain family gifts.

Every deed requires 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 this form, Russell County will not record your deed.

How to Record a Deed in Russell County

Recording a deed in Russell County follows Alabama's requirements. Your document must have certain information or the Probate Court will reject it. People coming from Georgia may not know Alabama's rules, which are different from Georgia deed requirements.

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

The marital status requirement is important in Alabama. Georgia does not require this on deeds. If you are from Columbus or work with Georgia attorneys, make sure this is on your Alabama deed. The Probate Court can refuse to record a deed that lacks marital status.

Bring your completed deed to 1000 Broad Street in Phenix City. Staff review the document and calculate your fees. You pay the recording fee and any deed tax. The clerk stamps your deed with the recording information and assigns a book and page number.

Border Area Considerations

Russell County sits on the Alabama-Georgia state line. The Chattahoochee River forms the border. If you are buying property in this area, make sure you know which state the land is in. Deeds for Alabama property must be recorded in Alabama. Georgia property records are kept in Georgia.

Some property buyers use title companies or attorneys in Columbus, Georgia. These professionals should know both states' requirements if they work in the border area. But double-check that your deed meets Alabama standards before trying to record it in Russell County.

The Columbus metro area includes both Russell County in Alabama and Muscogee County in Georgia. Real estate transactions often involve professionals from both sides of the river. This can lead to confusion about which county handles what. For Alabama land, Russell County Probate Court is where you record.

Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) spans the state line and affects property in Russell County. Military families often buy homes in the area. If you are military and new to Alabama, the Probate Court staff can explain recording procedures.

Title Searches in Russell County

Title searches in Russell County use the paper index books at the Probate Court. Start with the current owner and work backward through prior deeds. Each deed should reference the earlier one in its derivation clause.

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. This protects you from buying land with hidden problems.

Most buyers hire a title company or attorney to search records. They know the system and can find issues you might miss. Their work forms the basis for title insurance. If they miss something, the insurance covers your loss.

A Russell County title search should check:

• Chain of ownership through prior deeds
• Outstanding mortgages
• Tax liens from unpaid taxes
• Judgment liens from court cases
• Easements affecting the property

Property Tax Records in Russell County

The Russell 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 and property descriptions.

Tax maps show property boundaries in Russell 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 appear in the Probate Court records. Check tax status before buying land in Russell County. Tax sales happen when owners fall far behind on payments.

Legal Resources in Russell County

Real estate attorneys in the Columbus-Phenix City metro area can help with Alabama property matters. Make sure your attorney is licensed in Alabama if you need legal work on an Alabama deed. The Alabama State Bar has a referral service at (800) 392-5660.

Legal Services Alabama provides free help to low-income residents. They serve Russell County through their regional office. Call (866) 456-4995 to ask about qualifying for assistance with property questions.

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

Nearby Counties

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