Access Huntsville Deed Records

Huntsville deed records are kept at the Madison County Probate Court. As Alabama's largest city with over 230,000 people, Huntsville has an active real estate market and the Probate Court offers free online deed searches plus a property fraud alert system.

Which Office Handles Huntsville Deed Records?

The Madison County Probate Court handles all deed records for Huntsville. Alabama is different from most states. Here, the Probate Judge records deeds instead of a county recorder. The Probate Court on Memorial Parkway stores all land records for Huntsville and the rest of Madison County.

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. This makes access convenient since the main Probate Court office is right in the city. You do not need to drive to another town to file or search for deeds. The office is on the west side of Huntsville, about ten minutes from downtown.

Every deed transfer in Huntsville must be recorded at this office. When you buy a home, your closing attorney will file the new deed with Madison County. The Probate Court stamps it with a book and page number, indexes it by grantor and grantee names, and stores the original. This creates a public record that anyone can search.

Madison County Probate Court

The Madison County Probate Court serves all Huntsville residents who need to file or search deed records. The office is in a standalone building on Memorial Parkway, separate from the main courthouse. Staff can help you search records, make copies, and file new documents for properties in Huntsville.

The building has free parking. Security screens visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Probate Court to search Huntsville deed records. The recording window is on the first floor. You can drop off documents or ask staff to search records for you right there.

Search Huntsville Deeds Online

Madison County offers free online deed searches for Huntsville properties. The Probate Court portal lets you search by name or legal description. You can view index results at no cost. This is one of the better online systems in Alabama for finding deed records.

To search Huntsville deed records online:

• Go to madisonprobate.countygovservices.com
• Click on "Recording" then "Document Search"
• Enter a name or legal description
• View results showing book, page, and recording date

Index searches are free. Viewing document images costs money. The site charges a small fee per page if you want to see the actual deed. You can also order certified copies online and have them mailed to you. This saves a trip to the office for Huntsville residents who just need a copy of their deed.

The online system covers records from the 1990s forward. Older Huntsville deed records may require an in-person visit. Staff at the Probate Court can search the older books that are not yet online. Call ahead at (256) 532-3330 if you need records from before the 1990s.

Free Property Fraud Alert for Huntsville

Madison County offers a free property fraud alert service for Huntsville residents. This program notifies you any time a document is recorded against your property. You get an email or text when someone files a deed, mortgage, or lien using your name. This helps catch fraud early.

Property fraud happens when criminals file fake deeds to steal homes. It often targets vacant properties or homes owned by elderly people. The fraud alert gives you a heads up if someone tries to transfer your Huntsville property without your knowledge. You can then contact the Probate Court and law enforcement right away.

To sign up for the free alert:

• Visit the Madison County Probate website
• Look for the property fraud alert signup
• Enter your name exactly as it appears on your deed
• Provide your email or phone number

The service is completely free for Huntsville property owners. You can monitor multiple names if your property is in a trust or LLC. This is a smart step for anyone who owns real estate in Huntsville, especially if you own rental properties or vacant land.

Huntsville Deed Recording Fees

Madison County has some of the highest recording fees in Alabama. The cost to record a deed in Huntsville starts at over twenty-five dollars for the first page. Each additional page adds about three dollars. These fees apply when you file a new deed, not when you search records.

Typical fees for Huntsville deed filings include:

• First page recording: $25.00 or more
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
• Certified copy: varies by page count

The deed transfer tax is set by state law under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. The rate is fifty cents for every five hundred dollars of property value. Two thirds of this tax goes to the state. One third stays with Madison County. Some transfers are exempt, like those between spouses.

Copy fees depend on whether you need a plain copy or a certified copy. Certified copies cost more but have the official seal. Most legal uses like title insurance or court cases need certified copies. Plain copies work fine if you just want a record for your own files. Call the Probate Court at (256) 532-3330 to get current copy fees before you visit for Huntsville deed records.

What You Need to File a Deed in Huntsville

Alabama has strict rules for deeds. Your document must meet these requirements or the Madison County Probate Court may reject it. These rules apply to all Huntsville property transfers.

Every deed filed in Huntsville must include:

• Full legal description of the property
• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and mailing address
• Derivation clause showing where the grantor got title
• 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 Probate Court will not record a deed that lacks this information. The RT-1 form shows the actual sale price and is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue for all transfers since August 2012.

If your deed is missing anything, staff will reject it. You then have to fix the problem and come back. Save time by checking all requirements before you bring your deed to the Huntsville office. Title companies and real estate attorneys handle these details as part of the closing process.

Madison County Deed Records

Huntsville is in Madison County, and all deed filings go through the Madison County Probate Court. The county covers a large area including the cities of Huntsville, Madison, and several smaller towns. For more details on the county system, fee schedules, and office locations, visit the Madison County deed records page.

View Madison County Deed Records

Nearby Cities

These major Alabama cities are near Huntsville. Each one uses its county Probate Court for deed records. Click a city to learn about deed records in that area.