Dothan Deed Records Lookup
Dothan deed records are kept at the Houston County Probate Court. The largest city in southeast Alabama, Dothan is the county seat and offers free online deed searches with document downloads available for one dollar per page.
Dothan Quick Facts
Where Are Dothan Deed Records Filed?
The Houston County Probate Court handles all deed records for Dothan. In Alabama, the Probate Judge records land documents instead of a county recorder. Dothan is the county seat of Houston County, so the Probate Court is right in the city on North Oates Street.
Every property transfer in Dothan must be recorded at the Probate Court. When you buy a home, your closing company files the deed. Staff assign a book and page number, index the document by grantor and grantee names, and store the original. This creates the public record that proves ownership.
Houston County offers affordable online access to deed records. You can search the index for free. Downloading document images costs one dollar per page. This is cheaper than many Alabama counties that charge more for online access. It makes researching Dothan property records more affordable.
Important: Office Closed Fridays
Houston County operates on a four-day work week. The Probate Court is closed on Fridays. This is different from most Alabama counties that work Monday through Friday. If you plan to visit in person, go Monday through Thursday.
The four-day schedule means longer hours on the days they are open. The office opens early and closes later than a typical five-day office. This gives you more time each day to file deeds or search records. But you cannot do anything on Fridays. Plan your visits accordingly.
Online services work any time. You can search and download Dothan deed records outside of office hours. The online system does not close on Fridays. If you just need to search records, the four-day week does not affect you much. But if you need in-person help or certified copies, avoid planning for Fridays.
Houston County Probate Court
The Houston County Probate Court serves Dothan residents who need to file or search deed records. The office is on North Oates Street in downtown Dothan. Staff handle recording, searches, and copies for all properties in the city and county.
| Office | Houston County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 462 N. Oates Street Dothan, AL 36303 |
| Phone | (334) 677-4701 |
| Hours | Monday through Thursday (CLOSED FRIDAYS) |
The courthouse is in downtown Dothan near other county offices. Street parking and public lots are available. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to search Dothan deed records in person. Remember that the office is closed every Friday.
Search Dothan Deeds Online
Houston County provides online access to deed records. You can search the index for free. This shows you the parties, document type, recording date, and book and page number for each deed. Downloading the actual document images costs one dollar per page.
To search Dothan deed records online:
- Go to the Houston County Probate website
- Navigate to the land records search
- Enter a name or other search criteria
- View free index results
- Pay to download document images ($1/page)
The one dollar per page fee is reasonable compared to other counties. Some charge two dollars or more. If you need multiple pages from a Dothan deed, the cost adds up, but it is still less than driving to the courthouse for many people. The online option saves time and works outside of office hours.
For older records or complex searches, you may want to visit in person. Staff at the Probate Court can help navigate the index books and find records that might be hard to locate online. Call ahead at (334) 677-4701 to ask about specific records you need from Dothan.
Dothan Deed Recording Fees
Houston County charges fees to record deeds and make copies. These fees apply when you file a new document at the Probate Court. The online search is free, but downloads cost money.
Typical fees for Dothan deed filings:
- First page recording: approximately $15.00
- Each additional page: $3.00
- Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
- Online document download: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: varies
The deed transfer tax is set by Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. You pay fifty cents for every five hundred dollars of property value. Some transfers are exempt, including transfers between spouses. Call the Probate Court at (334) 677-4701 to confirm current fees.
Filing a Deed in Dothan
Alabama has specific requirements for deeds. The Houston County Probate Court will reject documents that do not meet these standards. Make sure your deed is complete before you bring it in.
Every deed filed in Dothan must include:
- Full legal description of the property
- Grantor name, address, and marital status
- Grantee name and mailing address
- Derivation clause showing prior ownership
- Name of person who prepared the deed
- Notarized signatures of all grantors
- RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form
The marital status rule comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The RT-1 form is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue for all transfers. Your closing company handles these items during a normal property sale in Dothan.
Houston County Deed Records
Dothan is in Houston County, and all deed filings go through the Houston County Probate Court. The county covers the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. For more on the county system and additional resources, visit the county deed records page.
Nearby Cities
These major Alabama cities are within driving distance of Dothan. Each uses its county Probate Court for deed records. Click a city to learn about deed records in that area.