Hale County Deed Records

Hale County deed records are kept at the Probate Court in Greensboro. The office handles all land recordings and maintains permanent property records for the county.

Hale County Probate Office

The Hale County Probate Judge is the official recorder of deeds. This office handles land transfers, estates, and other probate matters. Staff index documents by grantor and grantee names. They also track records by book and page number for easy lookup.

Hale County is in Alabama's Black Belt region. The county is known for agriculture and catfish farming. Greensboro, the county seat, is a small town with historic buildings. The Probate Office sits on Main Street in the center of town.

How to Search Hale County Deed Records

Hale County has limited online access to deed records. Most searches still require a visit or phone call to the office. Staff can look up records for you and make copies. This is common in smaller rural counties that have not fully digitized their records.

To search deed records, you should have:

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

Call the Probate Office before you visit. Staff can often check if the records you need are available. They may be able to do a quick search over the phone. For copies, you will need to either visit or send a written request with payment.

Title companies and attorneys do title searches here regularly. If you are buying property in Hale County, your title company will handle the search. For personal research, the office staff can help guide you through the physical deed books.

Hale County Recording Fees

Hale County charges fees to record deeds. These fees pay for staff work and document storage. Rates are set by state law plus local additions.

Current recording fees in Hale County:

• First page: $11.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The deed transfer tax is required on most property sales. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, two thirds goes to the state treasury. One third stays in Hale County. Some transfers are exempt from this tax. Family transfers and spouse-to-spouse transfers often qualify.

The office takes cash and checks. Call ahead to ask about credit cards. Have all fees ready when you file. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before your visit.

Recording Requirements

Alabama has strict rules about what goes on a deed. The Hale County Probate Judge checks every document. Deeds that lack required items will be rejected. Review your deed before you submit.

A deed filed in Hale County must include:

• Full legal description of the property
• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and mailing address
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form

The marital status rule is in Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. Every deed must show whether the grantor is married or single. If married, the spouse often needs to sign. The Probate Judge can refuse deeds missing this info.

The RT-1 form reports the sale price or property value. It has been required since August 2012. Get the form from the Alabama Department of Revenue. Without it, your deed cannot be recorded.

Types of Deeds

Different deeds work differently in law. The type you choose matters. All types cost the same to record and go through the same process at the Probate Office.

Common deed types in Hale County:

• Warranty deed: Seller guarantees the title
• Quitclaim deed: Transfers whatever the grantor has
• Special warranty deed: Limited time guarantee
• Personal representative deed: From an estate
• Tax deed: From a county tax sale

Warranty deeds give buyers the most protection. The seller promises clear title and will defend it against claims. Quitclaim deeds offer no such promise. They just pass whatever interest the grantor owns, which could be nothing at all.

Talk to a real estate lawyer if you are not sure which deed to use. The Probate Office cannot give legal advice. They only handle the recording process.

Related Property Records

The Probate Office keeps more than deeds. Other documents affect property rights too. A full title search looks at all these records.

Other records at the Hale County Probate Office:

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

Tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner office. This is a separate office. They handle property assessments and tax bills. Check there for unpaid taxes. Tax liens can lead to loss of property.

Court records are at the Circuit Clerk. Lawsuits over land, divorce decrees that divide property, and money judgments are filed there. A judgment against a property owner can become a lien on their land.

Historical Records

Hale County was formed in 1867 from parts of Greene, Marengo, Perry, and Tuscaloosa counties. The county is named after Stephen F. Hale, a Confederate officer. If you need records from before 1867, check the parent counties.

For the oldest land records, check the Alabama Secretary of State. They have federal land patents from when Alabama was a territory. These show who first owned each piece of land from the government. You can search these free online.

Hale County has preserved its records over the years. Some older documents are on microfilm. Others are in bound deed books at the courthouse. Staff can help you find historical deeds when you visit.

Cities in Hale County

Hale County has several small towns. All deed recordings go through the county Probate Court in Greensboro. The town where the property sits does not change where you record.

Towns in Hale County include Greensboro, Moundville, Akron, and Newbern. Greensboro is the largest with about 2,300 people. None have populations over 100,000. For all deed records, contact the Hale County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Hale County. Check which county your property is in before recording a deed.