Search Randolph County Genealogy Records

Randolph County genealogy records date back to 1832 when the county was formed from Creek Indian lands. The county sits in east Alabama along the Georgia border, with Wedowee as the county seat. Family history researchers will find vital records, probate files, land deeds, and court documents at local offices. The Randolph County Probate Court holds marriage records from the 1830s to now, along with wills and estate files. Birth and death records from 1908 forward are part of the state ViSION system and can be pulled from any Alabama county health office. This rural county has kept good records through the years, though some early files were lost when the first courthouse burned down.

What Records Are Available

Randolph County has a wide range of genealogy records. The probate court keeps marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and land deeds. The county health department handles birth and death records through the state system. Court records from civil and criminal cases are at the circuit clerk office.

Types of records you can find in Randolph County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1834 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land deeds and property records
• Tax rolls and voter lists
• Court case files

The county lost some early records in a courthouse fire. The first courthouse burned in 1897 and took many files with it. However, staff were able to save some books, and some records were later restored from copies held by other offices or from private sources. Marriage records from 1834 to 1897 may have gaps due to this fire.

For records before 1908, you need to check local sources. Church records, family bibles, and cemetery logs can fill in gaps. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also has some Randolph County records from early years.

Randolph County Probate Court

The Randolph County Probate Court is a key source for genealogy work. The court holds marriage records, wills, estate files, and land deeds. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama. This office handles many types of records that family historians need.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link. This makes marriage records one of the best tools for tracing your family tree. The court has indexes to help you find the right record fast.

The probate court also handles wills and estate records. When someone dies with property, their estate goes through probate. These files can show family ties, list heirs, and name property. Estate records often list children by name and may note if they are living or dead. This type of info is hard to find in other records.

Land records at the probate court go back to the 1830s. Deeds show who owned land and when they sold it. Many deeds name family members, especially when land passed from parent to child. These records can help you prove where your ancestors lived and worked.

County Health Department

The Randolph County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the state ViSION network, they can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to visit the county where the event took place. Any county health office can pull records from the state system.

Birth records have access rules. Records less than 125 years old are not fully open. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. After 125 years, birth records become public and anyone can request them for genealogy use.

Death records less than 25 years old also have some limits. Close family members and those with a direct legal interest can get recent death records. After 25 years, death records are open to the public. This makes older death records very useful for family history work.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. Bring a valid ID and know the details of the record you need. If you are not the person named on the record, bring proof of your right to access it.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Randolph County. Online searches work for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its own pros and cons.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records at their website. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. This is a fast way to get records if you cannot visit in person.

For probate records, you need to contact the court directly. Call ahead to ask about the records you need. Staff can search their indexes and let you know if they have what you want. Then you can visit in person or send a mail request with the right fees.

The AlacourtAccess system lets you search court records online. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search by name or case number. This covers circuit court cases, which include divorces and civil matters. The system is free to search, though there may be fees for some documents.

Online Resources

Randolph County is a small rural county, so online access is more limited than in big cities. But there are still good options for online research. State databases and free genealogy sites have many Randolph County records.

Useful online resources for Randolph County genealogy:

• AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
• Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
• FindAGrave for cemetery records at findagrave.com

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Create a free account to access all their tools. The site has specific pages for Randolph County that list what records are available.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a great digital collection. It includes old newspapers, photos, and government files. Some Randolph County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. You may find things that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook and a valid ID with you.

The Randolph County Courthouse in Wedowee is the main place for in-person research. The probate court is on the first floor. Staff can search indexes and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The courthouse is a small building, so it is easy to find your way around.

The Randolph County Public Library in Wedowee has some local history materials. They may have old newspapers, family files, and local history books. Library staff know the area and can point you to good sources. Check their hours before you visit.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the trip for deep research. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. The drive from Wedowee takes about two hours. Staff can help you find what you need and show you how to use their systems.

5th Judicial Circuit

Randolph County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Chambers, Clay, Tallapoosa, and Macon counties. The circuit court handles serious criminal cases, civil cases over a certain dollar amount, and all divorce cases.

If your ancestor had a court case, you may find files at the circuit clerk office. Divorce records are here, not at the probate court. The circuit clerk keeps case files, dockets, and judgments. These records can show family details that you will not find elsewhere.

The circuit clerk office is in the Randolph County Courthouse. Call ahead to ask about old records. Some files may be stored off-site or at the state archives. Staff can tell you what they have and how to access it.

Local Genealogy Tips

Randolph County sits on the Georgia border. Many families moved back and forth across state lines. If you cannot find your ancestor in Alabama records, check Troup County or Harris County in Georgia. The border area has a shared history.

The county was formed from Creek Indian lands in 1832. The earliest settlers came right after the Creek were removed. If your family was here in the 1830s, they were among the first white settlers. Land records from this era show the original grants from the federal government.

Wedowee is a small town. The county has always been rural. Most families farmed cotton or raised cattle. Look for your ancestors in agricultural census records and tax rolls. These sources list farms, livestock, and crops. They paint a picture of daily life.

Church records are important in rural Alabama. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in Randolph County. Many kept records of members, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. If the church is still active, they may let you see old records. If the church closed, records may be at a state archive or with a larger church body.

Cemetery records can fill gaps in official files. Randolph County has many small family cemeteries. FindAGrave has photos and listings for many of these. Local genealogy groups have also done cemetery surveys. These lists can help you find graves that are not well marked.

Cities and Towns in Randolph County

Randolph County has several small towns. All of them use the Randolph County Probate Court for marriage and probate records. The county health department in Wedowee handles vital records for the whole county.

Main towns in Randolph County include Wedowee, Roanoke, and Woodland. None of these cities have a population over 50,000, so all record requests go through the county offices. Roanoke is the largest town, but Wedowee is the county seat where most records are kept.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Randolph County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect.

Randolph County also borders Troup County and Harris County in Georgia. If your ancestors lived near the state line, check records on both sides of the border.