Alabama Deed Records Search Guide
Alabama deed records are kept at the county level by each Probate Court. The state has 67 counties. Each one stores and indexes deeds at the Probate Judge office. This guide helps you find the right office and search property records fast.
Alabama Deed Records Quick Facts
How Do Alabama Deed Records Work?
In Alabama, the Probate Judge records all deeds. This is not like most states. Other states use a County Recorder office. Alabama is different. The Probate Court does this job in all 67 counties.
When you buy land, the deed must be filed at the Probate Court. Staff index each document by grantor and grantee names. They also index by book and page number. Records are kept forever. Some counties have deeds from 1813.
The county charges a fee to record your deed. This fee varies. Most counties charge between four and eighteen dollars for the first page. Each extra page costs about three dollars more. A deed tax also applies. The rate is fifty cents per five hundred dollars of value. Two thirds goes to the state. One third stays with the county.
Under Code of Alabama Section 35-4-60, the Probate Judge must let anyone see deed record books during office hours. You can get copies for a fee. These are public records.
What Do Alabama Deed Records Show?
Deed records in Alabama contain key facts about land transfers. Every deed shows who sold the land and who bought it. The legal description tells exactly which parcel changed hands. This uses metes and bounds or lot numbers from a plat.
A deed record in Alabama shows:
- Grantor name, address, and marital status
- Grantee name and full mailing address
- Legal description of the property
- Source of title with prior deed book and page
- Sale price or consideration
- Notarized signatures
- Recording date and book/page number
Alabama requires the marital status on all deeds. This rule comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The Probate Judge can refuse to record a deed that lacks this info. A derivation clause must show where the grantor got title. The name of who prepared the deed is also required.
Can You Search Deed Records Online?
Yes. Most Alabama counties now offer online access. The level varies by county. Some provide free index searches. Image viewing often costs a small fee per page.
Jefferson County has the best online system. Their Landmark Web portal has records from 1813. Mobile County also uses Landmark Web. Their records go back to 1813 too. Shelby County offers free online access with records from 1819. Tuscaloosa County also provides free downloads.
Many smaller counties use the Ingenuity portal. This system requires an account. Searching is often free. Downloading documents costs one to two dollars per page in most cases. Counties on the Ingenuity system include Baldwin, Cullman, Marshall, Walker, and Winston among others.
The Alabama Secretary of State keeps historical land records. These are the original federal land patents from before statehood. You can search by name, township, or book number at sos.alabama.gov. These records are free to search and view.
What Do You Need to File a Deed?
Alabama has strict rules for deeds. Your deed must meet these rules or the Probate Judge may reject it. The recording requirements come from state law and apply in all 67 counties.
Your deed must include:
- Full legal description using metes and bounds or lot numbers
- Grantor's name, address, and marital status
- Grantee's name and full mailing address for tax notices
- A derivation clause showing the source of title
- Name and address of the person who prepared the deed
- Notarized signatures of all grantors
Since August 1, 2012, you must also file an RT-1 form. This is the Real Estate Sales Validation Form. It shows the actual sale price or property value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires this form for all deed transfers. Without it, the Probate Court will not record your deed.
Alabama Deed Recording Fees
Fees vary by county in Alabama. Most charge a base fee plus a per-page charge. The state sets a minimum under Code of Alabama Section 12-19-90. Counties can add local fees on top.
The base recording fee is three dollars per page in most counties. Many add extra charges for indexing, technology, or preservation. First page fees range from four dollars in Butler County to over twenty-five dollars in Madison County. Each extra page adds about three dollars.
The deed transfer tax is set by Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. The rate is fifty cents per five hundred dollars of property value. Two thirds goes to the state treasury. One third stays with the county. This tax applies to all deed transfers unless an exemption applies. Exemptions include transfers between spouses and certain family transfers.
Mobile County charges an extra ten dollar tax on top of state fees. This is unique to Mobile. Check with your local Probate Court for exact fees before you file.
Which Counties Have the Best Access?
Some Alabama counties stand out for online deed access. Jefferson and Mobile use Landmark Web with records from 1813. These are the oldest and most complete online archives in the state.
Shelby County offers completely free online access. You can view and download deeds from 1819 to today. No account fees apply. Tuscaloosa County also provides free access to deed images.
Two counties have dual county seats. Coffee County operates from both Elba and Enterprise. St. Clair County operates from Ashville and Pell City. You can record deeds at either courthouse in these counties.
Some counties work shorter weeks. Houston County and Dale County are closed Fridays. They work Monday through Thursday only. Plan your visits with this in mind.
Lawrence County claims the oldest land records in Alabama. Their records date to 1810. This is before Alabama became a state in 1819.
Browse Alabama Deed Records by County
Each county in Alabama has its own Probate Judge who keeps deed records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for property records in that area.
Deed Records in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of major cities record deeds at their county Probate Court. Pick a city below to learn about deed records in that area.