Search Montgomery Deed Records
Montgomery deed records are filed at the Montgomery County Probate Court. As the state capital, Montgomery has a central location and the Probate Court offers online access to land records dating back to June 1970.
Montgomery Quick Facts
Where to Find Montgomery Deed Records
The Montgomery County Probate Court handles all deed records for the city of Montgomery. Alabama uses the Probate Judge to record land documents instead of a separate recorder office. Montgomery is both the county seat and the state capital, so the Probate Court is downtown near other government buildings.
Every property transfer in Montgomery must be recorded at the Probate Court. When you buy a home, your closing company files the deed with the county. The Probate Court assigns a book and page number, indexes the document by grantor and grantee names, and stores the original. This creates the public record that proves ownership.
Montgomery County has land records going back many decades. The online system covers records from June 1970 forward. Older records exist but require an in-person search at the Probate Court. Staff can help you find historical deeds that predate the online database.
Montgomery County Probate Court
The Montgomery County Probate Court serves all residents who need to file or search deed records. The office is on South Lawrence Street in downtown Montgomery. This is where you go to record new deeds, search existing records, and get copies of documents for Montgomery properties.
| Office | Montgomery County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 South Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Phone | (334) 832-1239 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | pjr.mc-ala.org |
The Probate Court is in the downtown government district. Street parking and public lots are available nearby. The building is close to the state capitol and other county offices. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to search Montgomery deed records in person.
Search Montgomery Deeds Online
Montgomery County provides online access to deed records through their web portal. The system covers records from June 1970 to the present. You can search by name, book and page, or document type. This lets Montgomery residents research property records without visiting the office.
To search Montgomery deed records online:
- Go to pjr.mc-ala.org/weblandrecord
- Select your search type
- Enter a name or other search criteria
- View results with book, page, and recording date
The online system is useful for finding recent deeds. It shows index information including the parties, document type, and recording details. You may need to pay a fee to view or download actual document images. For records before June 1970, you will need to visit the Probate Court in person or call to request a search.
If you are tracing the history of a Montgomery property, start with the most recent deed and work backwards. Each deed has a derivation clause that tells you where the grantor got title. This leads you to the prior deed, and so on back through time. Records before 1970 exist in the courthouse books and can be found with staff help.
Montgomery Deed Recording Fees
Montgomery County charges fees to record deeds and make copies. These fees apply when you file a new document at the Probate Court. Searching the online database is usually free, but document images may cost money.
Typical fees for Montgomery deed filings include:
- First page recording: approximately $15.00
- 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 state law under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. You pay fifty cents for each five hundred dollars of property value. Some transfers are exempt from this tax, including transfers between spouses and certain family conveyances.
Call the Probate Court at (334) 832-1239 to get exact current fees before you visit. Fees can change, so it helps to confirm the cost before you show up with a deed to record. Staff can tell you the total based on your document's page count and property value.
What You Need to File a Deed in Montgomery
Alabama has specific requirements for deeds. The Montgomery 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 Montgomery must include:
- Full legal description of the property
- Grantor name, address, and marital status
- Grantee name and mailing address
- Derivation clause showing the prior deed
- Name of person who prepared the deed
- Notarized signatures of all grantors
- RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form
The marital status requirement comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. Without it, your deed will be rejected. The RT-1 form is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue for all property transfers. Your title company or closing attorney prepares these items during a normal sale.
If you are preparing a deed yourself for a gift, trust transfer, or adding a name, be careful to include everything. The Probate Court cannot accept incomplete documents. They also cannot give legal advice about how to prepare your deed. Consider consulting a real estate attorney if you are unsure how to proceed.
Montgomery County Deed Records
The city of Montgomery is in Montgomery County, and all property filings go through the Montgomery County Probate Court. The county covers the capital city and surrounding communities. 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 Montgomery. Each uses its county Probate Court for deed records. Click a city to learn about deed records in that area.