Russell County Court Records Search
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Russell County, located in eastern Alabama along the Georgia border, is home to the county seat of Phenix City and maintains an active court system serving the region’s residents. Accessing court records in this county involves navigating several offices and systems, each responsible for different categories of legal filings. Whether you need to look up a criminal case, retrieve a divorce decree, or review a probate matter, this guide provides practical instructions on where to go, what to expect, and how to obtain the records you need.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Russell County?
Court case information in Alabama can be located through a combination of official clerk offices, courthouse terminals, online portals, and state-level databases. AlabamaCourts.us serves as a hub for locating court-related resources across the state, including links to individual county clerk sites and statewide forms. For Russell County specifically, there are several paths to finding case records depending on the type of case and the level of detail required.
Online Searching
The primary electronic resource for searching Russell County trial court records is Alacourt Access, a subscription-based system maintained by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. This platform provides access to civil, domestic relations, criminal, and traffic case data across all Alabama state trial courts. Users can search by party name, case number, or other identifiers after creating an account. The Russell County docket search page on Alacourt Access is pre-filtered for cases filed in the county.
In-Person Access
The Russell County Circuit Clerk’s office maintains a public access computer terminal in the lobby of the Judicial Center, available at no charge during business hours. Visitors can view case information and document images on these terminals. For copies, a formal request must be submitted to the clerk.
Russell County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: (334) 298-0516
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Circuit Clerk: Jody Sellers
Mail Requests
To request court documents by mail, complete the Request for Court Document Searches and/or Copies form available from the Russell County Circuit Court website. Each request must be submitted on a separate form with payment enclosed. Only money orders are accepted for mail requests (personal checks are not accepted). Allow approximately one week for processing. Cases filed before 1977 may require additional research time.
Copy and Search Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Computerized search (cases filed after January 1, 2005) | $10.00 |
| Archived records search (cases filed before January 1, 2005) | $25.00 |
| First 20 pages of copies | $5.00 |
| Each additional page beyond 20 | $0.50 |
| Certification per document | $5.00 |
| Copy of SJIS Case Information (per case) | $5.00 |
| Copy of SJIS Payment History (per case) | $5.00 |
Search fees apply even if no results are produced. If you are uncertain when a case was filed, submit the maximum fee amount; any overpayment will be refunded. Cash is only accepted for in-person requests. Money orders should be made payable to Jody Sellers.
Are Court Records Public in Russell County?
Alabama law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, every citizen has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state, with limited exceptions. The Alabama Supreme Court reinforced this principle in Holland v. Eads, 614 So. 2d 1012 (Ala. 1993), confirming a common-law right of public access to judicial records that predates the U.S. Constitution.
Effective January 1, 2025, the Alabama Supreme Court adopted the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality, which provide a comprehensive framework governing public access to court files across all Alabama courts — circuit, district, juvenile, municipal, probate, and appellate.
Under these rules, court records may be restricted from public access when they:
- Have been sealed by court order following a hearing and a finding of clear and convincing evidence warranting non-disclosure
- Contain confidential information designated by federal or state law, such as complete Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, or financial account numbers
- Pertain to juvenile proceedings, including law enforcement records concerning children under Alabama Code § 12-15-134
- Involve adoption records, which are sealed under Alabama Code §§ 26-10E-30 and 26-10F-15
- Contain information about domestic violence victims, including addresses and phone numbers protected under Alabama Code § 30-5-5
- Include presentence investigative reports, grand jury deliberations, or abuse and neglect files
The party seeking to prevent disclosure bears the burden of demonstrating that the records fall within a recognized exception. Limitations on public access must be strictly construed. The clerk’s office is not responsible for identifying confidential material within filed documents — that obligation falls on the filing party under Rule 105 of the new rules.
Russell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Russell County are handled by both the Circuit Court and the District Court, both located at the Russell County Judicial Center. The Circuit Court, part of Alabama’s Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit, has general jurisdiction over felony matters, while the District Court handles misdemeanors and certain preliminary proceedings. Circuit Judge David Johnson and Circuit Judge Zachary T. Collins preside over circuit-level criminal matters; District Judges Walter Lee Gray III and James P. Graham III oversee the district criminal docket.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records maintained by the Circuit Clerk can be searched in person at the Judicial Center lobby terminal or through the Alacourt Access online portal. To request copies, submit the clerk’s request form with the defendant’s name, aliases, date of birth, last four digits of their Social Security number, case type or charges, and approximate year of filing or case number if known.
Criminal History Records
An individual’s criminal history — covering arrests, charges, convictions, sentencing, and parole information — is not publicly accessible in Alabama. Under Alabama Code § 41-9-642, criminal history records may only be obtained by authorized parties including the individual named on the record, their attorneys, qualified employers, and law enforcement. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) administers the Alabama Background Check system for fingerprint-based criminal history searches.
Authorized users must complete the Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information. Fees include:
- $25.00 per search (payable by cashier’s check or money order)
- $5.00 for each additional copy
- $95.00 annual subscription fee
ALEA processes requests at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, Phone: (334) 676-7897 Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511.
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement
Arrest records and police reports may be obtained through the Russell County Sheriff’s Office. Written requests should include the subject’s name, date of birth, charge information, and arresting officer details.
Russell County Sheriff’s Office
Physical Address: 305 Prentiss Drive, Phenix City, AL 36869
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 640, Phenix City, AL 36868
Phone: (334) 298-6535
Municipal ordinance violations occurring within Phenix City are processed through the Phenix City Municipal Court, which handles misdemeanor traffic and non-traffic cases and parking citations.
Phenix City Municipal Court
Address: 1111 Broad Street, Second Floor, Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: (334) 448-2780
Fax: (334) 291-4765
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Expungement of criminal records in Alabama is governed by Alabama Code § 15-27. Expungement orders are issued by the court, not by ALEA, and qualifying records are sealed from public view upon court approval.
Russell County Civil Court Records
The Russell County Circuit Court handles civil actions exceeding $10,000, while the District Court manages civil matters involving amounts up to $10,000, including evictions and unlawful detainer actions. Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court for disputes up to $6,000.
Civil Filing Fees
The Schedule of Civil Filing Fees published by the Circuit Clerk’s office outlines costs for initiating cases. Accepted payment methods include money orders, cashier’s checks, business checks, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted.
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Circuit Civil ($50,000 or less) | $279.00 |
| Circuit Civil (over $50,000) | $379.00 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $227.00 |
| Jury Demand | $100.00 |
| District Civil (including evictions) | $280.00 |
| Small Claims (up to $1,500) | $85.00 |
| Small Claims ($1,500.01–$3,000) | $159.00 |
| Small Claims ($3,000.01–$6,000) | $248.00 |
Additional service fees apply, including $15.00 per additional defendant, $15.00 for sheriff service, $35.00 for garnishments or executions, and $17.00 per subpoena.
Forms and Filing Resources
The Circuit Clerk maintains a collection of local forms for civil matters, including the District Civil Filing Packet, Unlawful Detainer Filing Packet, Process of Garnishment, Writ of Execution, and Small Claims Filing Packet. Additional statewide forms are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts at eforms.alacourt.gov.
For small claims specifically, plaintiffs should file a Statement of Claim in the county where the defendant resides or where the transaction occurred. Defendants have 14 calendar days after service to file an answer. If no answer is filed, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment using the Application for Default form. Those unable to afford filing fees can request a waiver through the Affidavit of Substantial Hardship form.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil records are public and may be viewed at no charge on the courthouse lobby terminal. Copies require payment per the fee schedule described in the case lookup section above. Mail and in-person copy requests should be directed to the Circuit Clerk at 501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867.
Russell County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Russell County — including divorces, custody disputes, protection orders, child support, and modifications — fall under the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court. The Domestic Relations section of the Circuit Clerk’s website outlines procedures specific to family matters.
Divorce Cases
Uncontested divorces are subject to a 30-day waiting period after filing before a judge may sign the decree, provided all required paperwork is in order. Contested divorces are randomly assigned to a judge, and the defendant has 30 days after service to respond. The filing fee for a new domestic relations case is $227.00. Modifications and contempt petitions carry a fee of $330.00, plus $15.00 if the Russell County Sheriff serves process.
A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $20.00 and can be requested in person (cash or money order) or by mail using the Request for Copies form along with a money order and self-addressed stamped envelope. Money orders must be payable to Jody Sellers. The Alabama Department of Public Health also maintains divorce certificates dating back to 1950, available for $15.00 per search and $6.00 for additional copies.
Protection from Abuse Orders
Victims of domestic violence may petition for a Protection from Abuse order through the Circuit Clerk’s office at no initial cost. The Petition for Protection from Abuse form is available from the clerk or online. Temporary orders remain in effect until a final hearing, and final protection orders are typically effective for one year. Violations may result in arrest and are punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. Alabama’s 24-hour domestic violence crisis line can be reached at (800) 650-6522.
Marriage Records
Russell County marriage records are maintained by the Probate Court. The Alabama Department of Public Health holds copies of marriage certificates issued statewide since 1936, searchable for $15.00 per request. Applications may be submitted using the department’s mail-in form and sent to Alabama Vital Records, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625, or by calling (334) 206-5418.
Birth and Death Records
Birth certificates are not public until 125 years after the date of birth, and death certificates become public 25 years after the date of death. Authorized persons — including the record subject, parents, legal guardians, spouses, adult children, and siblings — may obtain confidential copies from the Alabama Department of Public Health for $15.00 per search. Expedited processing adds $15.00. Fees are payable by money order or check to the “State Board of Health”.
Russell County Probate Court Records
The Russell County Probate Court oversees estate administration, wills, conservatorships, guardianships, name changes, involuntary commitments, and adoptions. The Probate Judge also serves as the county’s chief elections official and administers the public records and licensing offices.
Russell County Probate Court
Address: 1000 Broad Street, First Floor, Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: (334) 298-7979
Fax: (334) 384-9866
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Wills and Estate Administration
According to the Probate Court’s wills and administration page, wills may be researched and copied at the office. Copies cost $1.00 per page, with certification available for an additional $3.00 per document. Alabama law requires that a will be probated within five years of the decedent’s death. When a person dies without a will, an interested party may file a Petition for Letters of Administration; the petitioner must be an Alabama resident and secure a bond covering the estate’s value. An inventory must then be filed within 60 days of appointment.
Real Estate and Property Records
The Probate Court maintains real estate filings, many of which are searchable through the Russell County Probate online records portal for documents recorded from June 2002 forward. Property tax and parcel information can be accessed via the Russell County GIS website. The Alabama Secretary of State also offers a land records lookup tool with a name search function covering properties statewide.
Confidential Probate Records
Certain probate records — particularly those involving adoptions, guardianships of minors, and involuntary commitments — are confidential under Alabama law and not available for public inspection. Parties seeking access to restricted probate files should contact the Probate Clerk’s office to confirm eligibility before visiting.