Search Jackson County Deed Records

Jackson County deed records are kept at the Probate Court in Scottsboro. This northeast Alabama county has online access to property records through a dedicated portal.

Jackson County Probate Office

The Jackson County Probate Judge records all deeds. This office handles land transfers, estate matters, and other probate work. Staff index documents by grantor and grantee names. They also track records by book and page number for easy retrieval.

Jackson County sits in the northeast corner of Alabama. It borders Tennessee and Georgia. The county includes parts of Guntersville Lake and the Tennessee River. Scottsboro is the county seat and largest city. The courthouse is on East Laurel Street in downtown Scottsboro.

How to Search Jackson County Deed Records

Jackson County offers online access through the CountyGovServices portal. You can search deed records from any computer. Look up records by name, date, or document type. The system shows index information and may allow document viewing.

To search deed records, try to have:

• Name of the buyer or seller
• Property address or legal description
• Approximate recording date
• Book and page number if known

The online portal is good for basic research. You can verify deed information before visiting the office. For certified copies, you still need to contact the Probate Court. Online copies are not certified and may not work for legal purposes.

Staff at the office can help with more complex searches. If you cannot find what you need online, call the office. They can search the records and make copies for a fee.

Jackson County Recording Fees

Jackson County charges fees to record deeds. These fees cover staff time and document storage. The state sets minimum amounts, and counties can add local charges.

Current fees in Jackson County:

• First page: $10.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The deed transfer tax applies to most sales. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, two thirds goes to the state. One third stays in Jackson County. Some transfers are exempt, like family transfers or spouse-to-spouse transfers.

The office accepts cash and checks. Ask ahead about credit cards. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before your visit.

Recording Requirements

Alabama law sets what a deed must include. The Jackson County Probate Judge checks every document. Deeds missing required items will be rejected. Check your deed before you submit.

Every deed in Jackson County needs:

• Complete legal description of the land
• Grantor's name, mailing address, and marital status
• Grantee's name and mailing address
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of whoever prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form

The marital status rule comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The deed must say if the grantor is married, single, widowed, or divorced. If married, the spouse may need to sign. The Probate Judge can refuse deeds without this.

The RT-1 form is required since August 2012. It reports the sale price or property value. Get it from the Alabama Department of Revenue. No deed gets recorded without it.

Types of Deeds

Several deed types are used in Jackson County. Each one has different legal effects. All types cost the same to record and go through the same process.

Common deeds filed in Jackson County:

• Warranty deed: Full title guarantee
• Quitclaim deed: No warranties, just transfer
• Special warranty deed: Limited guarantees
• Personal representative deed: From estates
• Tax deed: From tax sales

Warranty deeds are standard for most sales. The seller promises clear title and will defend it. Quitclaim deeds offer no such promise. They transfer whatever the grantor has, which might be nothing. Use quitclaim deeds for family transfers or to fix title issues.

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

Other Property Records

Deeds are one type of record at the Probate Office. Other documents affect property ownership too. A complete title search looks at all these records.

Other records in Jackson County include:

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

Tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner office. That is separate from the Probate Court. Check there for assessed values and unpaid taxes. Tax liens can lead to property loss through tax sales.

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

Historical Records

Jackson County was formed in 1819 when Alabama became a state. It is one of the original counties. The county is named after Andrew Jackson, who would later become president. Land records here go back to the earliest days of statehood.

For older land records, check the Alabama Secretary of State. They have federal land patents from territorial times. These show who first owned each piece of land from the government. Search them free online.

Jackson County has preserved its historical records. Many are on microfilm now. The office can help you access old documents when you visit.

Cities in Jackson County

Jackson County has several cities and towns. All deed recordings happen at the county Probate Court in Scottsboro. The city where the land sits does not affect where you record.

Cities in Jackson County include Scottsboro, Stevenson, Bridgeport, and Section. Scottsboro is the largest with about 14,800 people. None have populations over 100,000. All deed records go through the Jackson County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County borders these Alabama counties. Make sure you know which county your property is in before recording a deed.