Access DeKalb County Deed Records

DeKalb County deed records are stored at the Probate Court in Fort Payne. Online access and e-Recording are both available.

DeKalb County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all deed recording in DeKalb County. The main office is on Grand Avenue in Fort Payne. There is also a satellite office in Rainsville for some services. Staff record documents, maintain indexes, and help with public searches.

DeKalb County is in northeast Alabama on Lookout Mountain. Fort Payne is the county seat. The area includes Little River Canyon and other scenic attractions. The county has grown and now has about 72,000 residents. The Probate Court offers modern services including e-Recording.

How to Search DeKalb County Deed Records Online

DeKalb County offers online access to deed records through a dedicated portal. You can search property documents from home. This is convenient for basic research needs.

The online portal is at services.revenue-dekalbco-al.us/ProbateRecords. Search by name, date, or document type. The system includes recent recordings. Some features may require registration.

To search DeKalb County deed records online:

• Visit the probate records portal
• Enter search criteria
• Review index results
• View or download documents

For complex searches or historical records, visit the courthouse. Staff can help with documents not in the online system.

Electronic Recording in DeKalb County

DeKalb County accepts electronic deed recording. Approved vendors include Simplifile and CSC. Title companies and attorneys can file documents online. This speeds up the recording process.

The same fees apply for e-filed documents. You get confirmation right away. This is faster than mail or hand delivery. Contact the Probate Court for details on eRecording setup.

Requirements for Recording Deeds

DeKalb County follows Alabama state requirements for deeds. Your document must include certain items. The Probate Court checks each deed before accepting it.

Every deed recorded in DeKalb County must have:

• Original signatures of grantors
• Notarized acknowledgment
• Marital status of grantors
• Complete legal description
• Grantee mailing address
• Preparer name and address
• Derivation clause
• RT-1 form

Under Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73, the grantor's marital status is required. The Probate Judge can refuse to record without it.

Property Research in DeKalb County

Complete property research uses several record types. Deeds show ownership changes. Mortgages show loans. Releases show paid loans. The Probate Court keeps all these documents.

For thorough DeKalb County property research:

• Search deed records for ownership chain
• Check mortgage records
• Look for release records
• Review tax records at Revenue Commissioner
• Check court records for liens

The Revenue Commissioner has property tax data. Tax records help confirm ownership when combined with deed searches. Parcel numbers and maps show boundaries.

DeKalb County Property Features

DeKalb County has unique geography. Lookout Mountain runs through the county. Little River Canyon is here. These features affect property. Some land may have conservation easements or restrictions.

If buying property near parks or scenic areas, check for easements. These may not show in basic deed searches. Ask the seller and title company about restrictions. The county planning office can help with zoning questions.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several cities and towns. All file deeds at the Probate Court in Fort Payne. The main office and Rainsville satellite serve the county.

Communities include Fort Payne, Rainsville, Ider, Mentone, and Valley Head. Fort Payne is the county seat and home of the band Alabama. All property transfers in DeKalb County record at the Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

DeKalb County borders these areas. Cherokee County is to the south. Jackson County is to the east. Georgia is to the northeast.