Birmingham Deed Records
Birmingham deed records are stored at the Jefferson County Probate Court. The county has one of the best online systems in Alabama with land records going back to 1813 available through the Landmark Web portal.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Where Are Birmingham Deed Records Kept?
The Jefferson County Probate Court keeps all deed records for Birmingham. In Alabama, the Probate Judge handles land records instead of a separate recorder office. Birmingham is the county seat of Jefferson County, so the main Probate Court office is downtown.
Jefferson County is the most populous county in Alabama. It covers over 35 cities and towns. Birmingham is the largest, and all of its property records go through the same Probate Court system as the rest of the county. The court records every deed, mortgage, lien, and other land document filed in the county.
The Probate Court has been keeping records since before Alabama became a state. Land records in Jefferson County go back to 1813. This makes it one of the oldest and most complete deed archives in the state. If you need historical property records in Birmingham, this is where you will find them.
Jefferson County Probate Court
The Jefferson County Probate Court serves Birmingham residents who need to file or search deed records. The main office is in the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. Staff handle deed recording, searches, and copies for all properties in Birmingham and the surrounding area.
| Office | Jefferson County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 325-5351 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | jeffcoprobatecourt.com |
The courthouse is in the heart of downtown Birmingham near city hall. Street parking has meters, and several parking garages are nearby. Security checks all visitors at the entrance, so bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The Probate Court is on the lower floors of the building.
Search Birmingham Deeds Online
Jefferson County has one of the best online deed search systems in Alabama. The Landmark Web portal provides access to records from 1813 to the present. You can search by name, legal description, or document type. This is a powerful tool for anyone researching Birmingham property records.
To search Birmingham deed records online:
- Go to landmarkweb.jccal.org/landmarkweb
- Create a free account or log in as a guest
- Choose your search type: name, legal, or document
- Enter your search terms
- View results and document images
Basic searches are free. Viewing document images may require a paid account depending on the document type. The system shows you the book and page number, recording date, and parties to each deed. You can also see the full chain of title for a Birmingham property by searching through all the deeds in sequence.
The depth of records makes this system special. Few Alabama counties have records going back over 200 years. If you are researching the history of a Birmingham property or tracing old family land holdings, the Landmark Web portal is where to start. The oldest documents have been scanned and indexed just like recent ones.
Birmingham Deed Recording Fees
Jefferson County charges fees to record deeds and provide copies. The fees apply when you file a new document, not when you search records online. Costs vary based on page count and document type.
Common fees for Birmingham deed filings include:
- First page recording: $15.00 to $20.00
- Each additional page: $3.00
- Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
- Certified copies: varies by page count
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. This applies to most deed transfers in Birmingham. Some are exempt, such as transfers between spouses or to family trusts.
Copy fees depend on what you need. A plain copy costs less than a certified copy. Certified copies have the official court seal and are needed for most legal purposes. If you just want a record for yourself, a plain copy works fine. Call the Probate Court at (205) 325-5351 for current fee amounts before you visit.
Filing a Deed in Birmingham
Alabama law sets strict requirements for deeds. The Jefferson County Probate Court will reject any document that does not meet these standards. Make sure your deed has everything before you bring it to the Birmingham office.
Every deed filed in Birmingham must have:
- Full legal description of the property
- Grantor name, address, and marital status
- Grantee name and mailing address for tax notices
- Derivation clause showing the source of title
- Name and address of the person who prepared the deed
- Notarized signatures of all grantors
- RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form
The requirement for marital status comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. Without this, the Probate Court cannot record the deed. The RT-1 form is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue and shows the actual sale price. Your closing attorney or title company handles these details during a normal home sale in Birmingham.
If you are doing a deed yourself, such as adding a spouse or transferring to a family trust, double check all requirements. Missing information means your deed gets rejected. You then have to fix it and come back another day. The Probate Court staff cannot give legal advice on how to prepare your deed.
Legal Help in Birmingham
Several groups in Birmingham offer legal help with property matters. Some provide free services to people with low income. Others offer reduced cost consultations. These resources can help if you have questions about deeds or property transfers.
Legal Services Alabama has its main office in Birmingham. They help low-income residents with housing and property issues. Call (205) 328-3540 to ask about services. The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program at (205) 250-5198 also helps with some property matters. The Birmingham Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (205) 251-8006 where the first consultation costs up to $50 for 30 minutes.
The Jefferson County Law Library is in the courthouse. They have forms and resources for people handling property matters on their own. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and resources. Visit lawlib.jccal.org or call (205) 325-5628 for hours and information.
Jefferson County Deed Records
Birmingham is in Jefferson County, and all deed filings go through the Jefferson County Probate Court. The county covers over 35 cities including Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, and Hoover. For more on the county system, recording procedures, and additional resources, visit the Jefferson County deed records page.
Nearby Cities
These major Alabama cities are near Birmingham. Each uses its county Probate Court for deed records. Click a city to learn about deed records in that area.