Jefferson County Deed Records

Jefferson County deed records are filed at the Probate Court in Birmingham. This is the most populous county in Alabama with over 674,000 residents. The county has a dual courthouse system with locations in Birmingham and Bessemer.

Jefferson County Probate Court

The Jefferson County Probate Judge records all deeds for the county. This is the largest Probate Court in Alabama. They handle more land transfers than any other county. Staff index documents by grantor and grantee names. Records are tracked by book and page number and go back to 1813.

Jefferson County has two courthouse locations. The Birmingham Division serves the eastern part of the county. The Bessemer Division serves the western part. You can record deeds at either location. Where you go may depend on where the property is located, though either office can process your deed.

How to Search Jefferson County Deed Records

Jefferson County has one of the best online deed systems in Alabama. The Landmark Web portal has records dating back to 1813. That is six years before Alabama even became a state. You can search by name, date, legal description, or book and page number. The system is free to search. Viewing document images may cost a small fee.

To search deed records, you need:

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

The Landmark Web system is very detailed. You can find deeds, mortgages, liens, and many other document types. Title companies and attorneys use this system daily. It is one of the most complete online records systems in the state.

For certified copies, you need to visit or contact the Probate Court. Online copies are not certified. If you need a document for legal purposes, you may need the official version with the court seal.

Jefferson County Recording Fees

Jefferson County charges fees to record deeds. As the largest county, they process more documents than any other. Fees cover staff work and the extensive records system.

Current fees in Jefferson County:

• First page: $16.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
• Certified copies: Additional fee per page

The deed transfer tax is required on most sales. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, two thirds goes to the state treasury. One third stays in Jefferson County. Some transfers are exempt, such as transfers between spouses or family members.

The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Ask about credit cards before your visit. Both the Birmingham and Bessemer offices have the same fee structure.

Recording Requirements

Alabama has strict rules for deeds. The Jefferson County Probate Judge checks every document. Deeds that do not meet requirements get rejected. Check your deed carefully before you submit.

Every deed in Jefferson County must have:

• Complete legal description of the property
• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee 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 is in Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The deed must state if the grantor is married, single, widowed, or divorced. If married, the spouse usually needs to sign. The Probate Judge can refuse deeds missing this information.

The RT-1 form reports the sale price or property value to the state. Required since August 2012. Get it from the Alabama Department of Revenue. No deed can be recorded without it.

Types of Deeds

Jefferson County sees all types of deeds. As the most populous county, it has the most real estate activity. All deed types go through the same recording process.

Common deeds in Jefferson County:

• Warranty deed: Seller guarantees clear title
• Quitclaim deed: No warranties, just transfer of interest
• Special warranty deed: Limited time guarantees
• Personal representative deed: From estates
• Tax deed: From county tax sales
• Corporate deed: From business entities

Warranty deeds are standard for most sales in Jefferson County. The seller promises clear title and will defend it. Quitclaim deeds offer no such promise. They just transfer whatever the grantor owns. Use these for family transfers or to clear title issues.

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 recording.

Other Property Records

The Probate Court records many document types besides deeds. All of them affect property ownership. A complete title search looks at everything.

Other records at the Jefferson County Probate Court:

• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Mortgage satisfactions and releases
• Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
• Easements and deed restrictions
• Plat maps and surveys
• Powers of attorney
• Condominium declarations

Tax records are at the Jefferson County Revenue Commissioner. That is a different office. They handle property assessments and tax bills. Unpaid taxes can become liens or lead to tax sales.

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

Historical Records

Jefferson County was created in 1819 when Alabama became a state. But the records go back even further. Landmark Web has documents from 1813, six years before statehood. These are among the oldest deed records in Alabama.

The county is named after Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. Birmingham grew into the largest city in Alabama, and Jefferson County became the most populous. The extensive records reflect over 200 years of land transactions.

For federal land patents, check the Alabama Secretary of State. They have records of original land grants from the government. These complement the county records for complete title history.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has many cities and towns. All deed recordings go through the county Probate Court. Depending on location, you may use the Birmingham or Bessemer Division.

Birmingham is the largest city with about 196,000 people. Hoover is another major city, though it spans into Shelby County too. Other cities include Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Trussville, Bessemer, and Gardendale.

Nearby Counties

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