Search Russell County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Russell County track lawsuits, judgments, liens, and other legal disputes. These cases go through the 26th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk in Phenix City keeps all civil records for the county. Russell County sits along the Georgia border. It shares the Chattahoochee River with Columbus, Georgia. This spot means cross-border legal matters sometimes come up. The clerk office deals with everything from small claims to major civil cases. Records go back decades in paper form. More recent cases are on the statewide Alacourt system. You can search records online, visit the courthouse in person, or send requests by mail.

Russell County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk is the keeper of all civil court records in Russell County. Jody Sellers fills this role right now. The clerk office takes in new filings. They keep case files. They issue certified copies. They also give the public access to court documents. All civil matters for the county go through this one spot in Phenix City. There is no other location to get these records in Russell County.

The courthouse is in downtown Phenix City. Parking is open in the area around it. When you visit, bring a valid photo ID. The clerk staff can help you find records. They will also walk you through the search steps. Walk-in requests are taken during normal business hours. Plan to arrive well before closing time if you have a complex search.

Online Access to Civil Court Records

Russell County lets you get to civil court records online through the statewide Alacourt system. This is the main way to search records from home. You do not need to drive to the courthouse to look up basic case info.

Alacourt Public Access Portal

The Russell County Alacourt portal lets you search civil court records online. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system has records from both district court and circuit court. To view full case details, you need to make an account and pay a fee. District court cases cost $19.99 to view. Circuit court cases cost $29.99. Basic search results that show case numbers and party names are free.

What You Can Find Online

The online system has civil case filings, hearing dates, judge names, party info, and case status. Some documents may be viewable based on the case type. Older records may not be fully online yet. For old cases or full file access, you may need to visit the clerk office. You can also request copies by mail if you prefer.

In-Person Record Requests

Walk-in requests are taken at the clerk office during business hours. Bring as much info as you can about the case you need. This means party names, rough filing dates, and case type if you know it. Staff will help you search and find the right records. Normal copies are usually ready the same day. Certified copies may take more time to process.

Mail Requests

You can ask for civil court records by mail. Send your request to the Circuit Clerk at 501 14th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867. Put in the names of parties, rough dates, and case number if you have it. Say what papers you need. Include payment for copy fees or call first to get a quote. The clerk will work on your request and mail copies back to you. How long it takes depends on workload and research needed.

Types of Civil Cases in Russell County

Russell County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters as established by Alabama Code Section 12-11-30. Different courts handle different types of civil disputes based on the amount of money involved.

Circuit Court Civil Cases

The circuit court handles civil cases where the amount at stake is over $20,000. These include personal injury lawsuits and medical malpractice claims. Major contract disputes also go here. So do real property cases and business disputes. The circuit court also has sole power over equity matters no matter the dollar amount. This means things like injunctions and quiet title actions.

District Court Civil Cases

Russell County District Court handles civil cases where the amount is $20,000 or less, per Alabama Code Section 12-12-30. Common cases here are debt collection and landlord-tenant disputes. Property damage claims and consumer complaints also land in district court. The district court shares space with the circuit court in the Phenix City courthouse.

Small Claims Division

Small claims court handles disputes under $6,000 per Alabama Code Section 12-12-31. This part of the court is meant to be simple and cheap. Lawyers are not required. The process is less formal than normal civil court. Common small claims are security deposit fights, minor car crash damage, unpaid bills, and breach of basic contracts.

Domestic Relations Cases

Family law matters are handled apart from general civil cases. But the same clerk office keeps the records. Divorces, custody disputes, child support changes, and protective orders all make court records. These cases may have different privacy rules than regular civil cases. Some info may be sealed or harder to get.

Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Russell County are set by Alabama Code Section 12-19-71. These are state-mandated fees that apply across all Alabama counties.

Copy and Certification Fees

Basic copies of court documents cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page at the clerk window. Certified copies cost more. There is a certification fee on top of the per-page charge. Exact fees may vary a bit. Call the clerk office at (334) 298-0516 to get current prices for your request.

Fee Waivers for Indigent Parties

If you cannot pay filing fees, you may ask for a fee waiver. You do this by filing an affidavit of hardship. The court will look at your money situation and decide if they will waive or cut the fees. This only applies to filing new cases. Copy fees for old records usually cannot be waived.

Time Limits for Filing Civil Cases

Alabama law sets deadlines for filing different types of civil lawsuits. These are called statutes of limitations. If you miss the deadline, you lose the right to sue. Knowing these limits matters. It matters if you are filing a case. It also matters if you are looking up past disputes.

Six-Year Limitations

Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-34, you have six years to file claims based on written contracts. This also covers trespass to property and getting back money on a loan. Most contract disputes fall under this rule.

Two-Year Limitations

Personal injury claims, property damage suits, and most tort actions must be filed within two years per Alabama Code Section 6-2-38. This includes car accidents, slip and fall cases, and general negligence claims. Wrongful death suits must be filed within two years of the date of death.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases have special rules under Alabama Code Section 6-5-482. You usually have two years from the act that caused the injury. There is a discovery rule that may push back this deadline in some cases. But there is also a four-year hard cutoff. This applies no matter when you find out about the problem.

Legal Framework for Court Records Access

Access to civil court records in Russell County is governed by Alabama state law and court rules. Most court records are public, but there are exceptions.

Public Records Law

Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, every Alabama resident can look at and copy public records. The law is read broadly in favor of access. When someone says no to a records request, they must prove an exemption applies. Court records are seen as public unless sealed by court order.

Court Record Privacy Rules

The Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy took effect January 1, 2025. These rules say that court records are open to view unless a law or court order says otherwise. The rules list types of sensitive info that may be blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Dates of birth for minors and some medical info are also on the list.

Sealed Records

Some civil records may be sealed by court order. Settlement agreements are sometimes sealed at the parties' request. Cases involving trade secrets or confidential business information may have protective orders. Juvenile-related matters and mental health records have additional protections. If a record is sealed, you cannot access it without court permission.

Related Record Sources

Civil court records may connect to records held by other government offices. These sources can provide additional context when researching a legal matter.

Judgment Liens and Property Records

Civil judgments can become liens on real property under Alabama Code Section 6-9-190. The Russell County Probate Judge maintains property records and recorded judgments. If someone owes money from a court judgment, that debt may be recorded against their property. Property searches can reveal judgment liens.

Russell County Probate Court

The Probate Judge handles estate matters, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. These are separate from circuit court civil cases but may relate to them. For example, a civil lawsuit against a deceased person's estate would involve both courts. The Probate Court is located in the same courthouse complex.

Federal Court Records

Russell County falls within the Middle District of Alabama for federal court purposes. Cases involving federal law, constitutional issues, or parties from different states with amounts over $75,000 go to federal court. Federal records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Some civil matters that seem local may actually be in federal court.

Georgia Court Records

Given Russell County's border location along the Chattahoochee River, some legal matters involve Georgia. If you are researching someone who has connections to Columbus, Georgia, you may need to check Muscogee County Superior Court records as well. Cross-state judgments can be domesticated for enforcement.

Legal Assistance Resources

Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to Russell County residents dealing with civil court matters.

Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents. They handle housing disputes, consumer problems, family law matters, and public benefits issues. They have offices throughout the state. Call 1-866-456-4995 to check eligibility and get connected with services in the Russell County area.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral

The Alabama State Bar operates a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You can get a 30-minute consultation for up to $50. This helps you find an attorney if you do not qualify for free legal aid. The service covers all practice areas including civil litigation.

Self-Help Resources

Alabama Legal Help provides free legal information and court forms online. The site covers common civil topics like small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer issues. You can find step-by-step guides for handling matters without a lawyer. This is a good starting point if you cannot afford legal representation.

Columbus-Phenix City Bar Association

The local bar association can provide referrals to attorneys who practice in Russell County. Given the border location, many attorneys in the area are licensed in both Alabama and Georgia. This can be helpful for matters involving both states.

Search Civil Court Records

Use the search tool below to find civil court records from Russell County and other Alabama locations.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County includes several municipalities. Civil court records for residents of these cities are maintained at the county level by the Circuit Clerk. Phenix City is the county seat and largest city.

The main cities and communities in Russell County include Phenix City, Hurtsboro, Seale, Fort Mitchell, Ladonia, and Cottonton. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all civil court matters are handled through the Russell County courthouse system. Phenix City has the largest population at roughly 40,000 residents.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Russell County. Each maintains its own Circuit Clerk office for civil court records.