Geneva County Deed Records

Geneva County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in the city of Geneva. The office handles all property recordings and keeps permanent land records.

Geneva County Probate Office

The Probate Judge in Geneva County records all deeds. This office handles land transfers, estate matters, and other probate functions. Staff index documents by grantor and grantee names. Records are tracked by book and page number as well.

Geneva County has special office hours. They work Monday through Thursday only, with extended hours those days. The office is closed on Fridays. Plan your visit with this schedule in mind. They also accept electronic recordings through services like Simplifile, CSC, and ePN.

How to Search Geneva County Deed Records

Geneva County provides online access through the Ingenuity portal. You can search records from home using any computer with internet. Look up deeds by name, date, or document type. Index searches are typically free. Viewing full documents may cost a small fee per page.

For a deed search, you should have:

• Name of the grantor or grantee
• Property location or legal description
• Recording date or date range
• Book and page number if available

The online system has records going back several years. Not everything is digitized yet. For older records, you may need to visit the office or call for help. Staff can search the physical deed books and make copies. Remember that the office is closed Fridays.

E-recording is available if you need to file documents remotely. Geneva County accepts electronic submissions through Simplifile, CSC, and ePN. This is useful for title companies and attorneys who file often.

Geneva County Recording Fees

Geneva County charges fees to record deeds. These pay for processing, indexing, and permanent storage. Fees are set by state law plus any local additions. Call to confirm current rates.

Standard recording fees include:

• First page: Base recording fee
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The transfer tax applies to most property sales. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, two thirds goes to the state treasury. One third stays in Geneva County. Some transfers do not owe this tax. Family transfers and transfers between spouses often qualify for an exemption.

The office takes cash and checks. Ask about credit cards before you visit. They may take them but charge a fee. Have all your money ready since you will pay at time of recording.

Recording Requirements

Alabama has rules for what deeds must contain. The Geneva County Probate Judge checks documents before recording. If your deed is missing something, it may be rejected. Review these requirements before you submit.

A deed filed in Geneva County needs:

• Full legal description of the property
• Grantor's name, address, and marital status
• Grantee's name and mailing address
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of the document preparer
• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• RT-1 form completed

The marital status rule is important in Alabama. Under Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73, every deed must show whether the grantor is married or single. If married, the spouse may need to sign. The Probate Judge can refuse deeds that lack this info.

The RT-1 form reports the property value to the state. It has been required since August 2012. Get the form online from the Alabama Department of Revenue. Recording cannot happen without this form.

Types of Deeds

Different deeds serve different purposes in Geneva County. The type you choose depends on your situation. All types go through the same recording process and cost the same.

Common deed types include:

• Warranty deed: Full protection for buyer
• Quitclaim deed: No warranties, just transfers interest
• Special warranty deed: Limited guarantees
• Personal representative deed: Transfer from estate
• Tax deed: From a tax sale

Warranty deeds are most common in regular sales. The seller promises clear title and agrees to defend it. Quitclaim deeds offer no such promise. They just transfer whatever the grantor has. These work for family transfers or fixing title problems.

A lawyer can help you pick the right deed type. The Probate Office staff cannot give legal advice. They only handle the recording process itself.

Other Property Records

The Probate Office records more than just deeds. Other documents affect land ownership too. A full title search looks at all these records.

Other records at the Geneva County Probate Office:

• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Mortgage satisfactions and releases
• Judgment liens and mechanic's liens
• Easements and deed restrictions
• Plat maps and surveys
• Powers of attorney

Property tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner office. That is a separate office from the Probate Court. They handle assessments and tax payments. Unpaid taxes can become liens or lead to tax sales.

Court records are at the Circuit Clerk. Lawsuits involving property, divorce decrees, and money judgments show up there. Judgments can attach to real estate as liens.

Historical Records

Geneva County was formed in 1868 from parts of Coffee, Dale, and Henry counties. The county is named after Geneva, Switzerland. If you need records from before 1868, check the parent counties.

For the oldest land records, check the Alabama Secretary of State. They have federal land patents from territorial days. These show the original owners of each parcel. Search them free online.

Geneva County has preserved its records over the years. Many older documents are on microfilm. Some have been scanned into the digital system. Staff can help you find historical deeds when you visit.

Cities in Geneva County

Geneva County has several small cities and towns. All deed recordings go through the county Probate Court. The city where the land sits does not change where you file.

Cities in Geneva County include Geneva, Hartford, Samson, Slocomb, and Malvern. Geneva is the largest with about 4,500 people. None have populations over 100,000. For all deed records, use the Geneva County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

Geneva County sits in southeast Alabama near the Florida border. These counties are nearby. Check which county your property is in before recording a deed.