Search Escambia County Deed Records

Escambia County deed records are filed at the Probate Court in Brewton. The office has two locations to serve residents across this large county in south Alabama.

Escambia County Probate Office

The Probate Judge in Escambia County is the official recorder of deeds. All land transfers in the county must be filed at this office. Staff members index each deed by the names of the buyer and seller. They also track records by book and page numbers. The main office is in Brewton.

Escambia County has a second office location in Atmore. This makes it easier for residents in the northern part of the county to get help. Both offices can answer questions about deed records. But recording still happens at the main Brewton location. Call ahead if you plan to visit Atmore to make sure they can help with your specific need.

How to Search Escambia County Deed Records

Escambia County has online deed records through the Ingenuity system. You can access this from any computer with internet. The portal lets you search by name, date, or document type. Basic searches are free. Viewing or printing full documents may cost a small fee.

To find a deed in Escambia County, you will need:

• Grantor name (person who sold or gave the property)
• Grantee name (person who received the property)
• Property address or legal description
• Approximate date of the transfer

The online system is good for most searches. It has records going back several years. Older deeds may not be in the digital system. For those, you need to visit the office in Brewton. Staff can look through the old deed books. They will make copies for a fee.

If you plan to visit in person, call ahead. The office can tell you if the records you need are available. They may also be able to pull the files before you arrive. This saves time when you get there.

Escambia County Recording Fees

Recording a deed in Escambia County costs money. The fees cover the work of indexing and storing your document. Escambia County has some of the lower fees in Alabama for the first page.

Current recording fees in Escambia County:

• First page: $4.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The transfer tax is set by state law under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. Two thirds of this tax goes to the state. One third stays with Escambia County. Some transfers do not have to pay this tax. Family transfers and transfers between spouses may be exempt. Ask the Probate Office if you think you qualify for an exemption.

Fees can change. Call the office to confirm the current rates before you visit. They accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices take credit cards but charge extra for that.

What You Need to Record a Deed

Alabama has rules about what goes on a deed. The Escambia County Probate Judge will check your document. If something is missing, they may reject it. Save yourself a trip by checking these requirements first.

Your deed must have these items:

• Full legal description of the property
• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and full mailing address
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of the person who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures
• RT-1 form (Real Estate Sales Validation Form)

The marital status rule comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. It protects buyers from unknown claims by spouses. Even if the grantor is not married, the deed should say single or unmarried. Without this, the Probate Judge can refuse to record your deed.

The RT-1 form has been required since August 1, 2012. This form tells the state the sale price or value of the property. The Alabama Department of Revenue uses it for tax records. You cannot record a deed without it. Get the form from the Revenue office or online.

Types of Deeds Filed in Escambia County

Different deeds serve different purposes. The type you need depends on your situation. All types go through the same recording process at the Probate Office. The fees are the same too.

Common deed types in Escambia County:

• Warranty deed: The seller promises clear title
• Quitclaim deed: Transfers only what the seller has
• Special warranty deed: Limited time warranty
• Personal representative deed: From an estate
• Tax deed: From a tax sale

Warranty deeds give the most protection to buyers. The seller guarantees the title is good and will defend it. Quitclaim deeds offer less protection. The seller only gives up whatever rights they have. These are often used between family members or to clear up title problems.

Talk to a lawyer if you are not sure which deed type to use. The Probate Office cannot give legal advice. They can only record documents that meet state requirements.

Other Property Records in Escambia County

Deeds are just one type of record at the Probate Office. Other documents affect property rights too. If you are buying land or checking a title, look at these records as well.

Related records in Escambia County include:

• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Mortgage satisfactions and releases
• Liens against property
• Easements and rights of way
• Plat maps and subdivision records
• Powers of attorney

Property tax records are at the Escambia County Revenue Commissioner office. This is separate from the Probate Court. The Revenue office can tell you the assessed value of land, the tax rate, and if taxes are paid up. Unpaid taxes can lead to tax liens or even tax sales.

Court records about property disputes are at the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk keeps files on lawsuits, judgments, and other legal actions. A judgment against a property owner can become a lien on their land.

Escambia County History and Old Records

Escambia County was created in 1868 from parts of Baldwin and Conecuh counties. The county is named after the Escambia River. Early land records may be in the parent counties if you are looking for something before 1868.

For the earliest land records in Alabama, check the Secretary of State office. They have federal land patents from territorial days. These show who first owned each piece of land from the government. You can search these records free online at the Secretary of State website.

Some old Escambia County records have been damaged or lost over time. The office has worked to preserve what they have. Many older documents are on microfilm now. Ask the staff about what is available when you visit.

Cities in Escambia County

Several cities and towns are in Escambia County. All of them file deeds at the Escambia County Probate Court. The city does not matter for recording purposes.

Major cities in Escambia County include Brewton, Atmore, East Brewton, Flomaton, and Pollard. None of these have populations over 100,000. For all deed records in the county, contact the Probate Office in Brewton.

Nearby Counties

Escambia County sits in south Alabama near the Florida border. These counties are nearby. Make sure you know which county your property is in before recording a deed.