Access Lamar County Deed Records

Lamar County deed records are filed at the Probate Court in Vernon. This small county in northwest Alabama offers online access to recent property records through the Ingenuity portal.

Lamar County Probate Office

The Lamar County Probate Judge records all deeds. This office handles land transfers, estates, and other probate matters. Staff index documents by grantor and grantee names. They track records by book and page number. The office is on Highway 17 in Vernon.

Lamar County is a small, rural county on the Mississippi border. The county was named after Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Vernon is the county seat and the only incorporated city in the county.

How to Search Lamar County Deed Records

Lamar County offers online access through the Ingenuity portal. The online system has records from October 2022 and later. This is newer than most counties. For older records, you need to visit the office or call for help.

To search deed records online, you need:

• Name of the grantor or grantee
• Property location or legal description
• Date range for the search
• Book and page number if available

The online system is limited to recent records. For anything before October 2022, contact the Probate Office directly. Staff can search the older deed books. They charge fees for copies. A phone call can help you figure out if the record you need is available.

Lamar County is small. The staff often know local landowners and properties. They may be able to help even if you have limited information about what you are looking for.

Lamar County Recording Fees

Lamar County charges fees to record deeds. These fees are among the lower ones in Alabama. They cover staff work and document storage.

Current fees in Lamar County:

• First page: $9.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The deed transfer tax applies to most sales. Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1 sets the rate. Two thirds goes to the state. One third stays in Lamar County. Family transfers and spouse transfers may be exempt from this tax.

The office accepts cash and checks. Call ahead about credit cards or other payment options. Fees can change, so confirm current amounts before your visit.

Recording Requirements

Alabama has rules for what deeds must contain. The Lamar County Probate Judge checks every document. Deeds missing required items get rejected. Check your deed before you submit.

Every deed in Lamar County must include:

• 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 the person who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form

Marital status must be on the deed. Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73 requires it. If married, the spouse may need to sign too. The Probate Judge can refuse deeds without this information.

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

Types of Deeds

Several deed types are used in Lamar County. Each serves a different purpose. All types go through the same recording process at the Probate Office.

Common deeds filed here:

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

Warranty deeds give buyers the most protection. The seller promises the title is good. Quitclaim deeds offer no promise. They transfer whatever the grantor owns. Use quitclaim deeds for family transfers or to clear title problems.

A lawyer can help pick the right deed type. The Probate Office cannot give legal advice.

Other Property Records

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

Other records in Lamar County:

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

Tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner office. Check there for assessed values and unpaid taxes. Tax liens can lead to loss of property at a tax sale.

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

Historical Records

Lamar County was created in 1867 from parts of Fayette and Marion counties. The county originally was named Jones County and later Sanford County before getting its current name in 1877. For records before 1867, check Fayette or Marion County.

The Alabama Secretary of State has federal land patents from territorial times. These show original land ownership from the government. Search them free online at the state website.

Lamar County has preserved its historical records. Many are on microfilm. For records before October 2022 that are not online, visit the office or call for help.

Cities in Lamar County

Lamar County has only one incorporated city. All deed recordings happen at the county Probate Court in Vernon.

Vernon is the only city in Lamar County with about 1,900 people. Other communities include Kennedy, Millport, and Sulligent, which are unincorporated. None have populations over 100,000. All deed records go through the Lamar County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

Lamar County borders these Alabama counties. Check which county your property is in before recording a deed.