Lauderdale County Deed Records Search

Lauderdale County deed records are kept at the Probate Court in Florence. This northwest Alabama county has a strong record of preserving documents, with no records ever lost to fire.

Lauderdale County Probate Office

The Lauderdale 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. Records are tracked by book and page number. The courthouse is on South Court Street in downtown Florence.

Lauderdale County has an excellent record preservation history. No records have ever been lost to fire or disaster. This makes it one of the more complete collections in the state. The county is part of the Shoals area along the Tennessee River.

How to Search Lauderdale County Deed Records

Lauderdale County offers online access through the Ingenuity portal. You can search records from your computer. Look up deeds by name, date, or document type. Index searches are typically free. Viewing full documents may cost a fee per page.

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 system has records going back many years. Since no records were ever lost, the collection is very complete. For very old records not online, contact the office. Staff can search the physical deed books and make copies.

Title companies and attorneys regularly search Lauderdale County records. If you are buying property, your title company handles this. For personal research, the office staff can help guide you.

Lauderdale County Recording Fees

Lauderdale County charges fees to record deeds. These fees cover staff time and document storage. Call to confirm current rates before your visit.

Recording fees include:

• First page: Base recording fee
• 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 Lauderdale County. Some transfers are exempt, like family transfers or spouse-to-spouse transfers.

The office accepts cash and checks. Ask about credit cards before you visit. Fees can change, so confirm amounts before filing.

Recording Requirements

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

A deed in Lauderdale County must have:

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

Marital status is required by 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 reports the sale price or value. Required since August 2012. Get it from the Alabama Department of Revenue. No deed can be recorded without it.

Types of Deeds

Several deed types are filed in Lauderdale County. Each serves a different purpose. All types cost the same to record.

Common deeds include:

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

Warranty deeds are standard for most sales. The seller guarantees clear title. Quitclaim deeds offer no such promise. They just transfer whatever the grantor has. Use these for family transfers or to fix title issues.

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

Other Property Records

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

Other records in Lauderdale County:

• 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. That is a separate office. Check there for assessed values and unpaid taxes. Tax liens can lead to property loss.

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

Historical Records

Lauderdale County was formed in 1818, one year before Alabama became a state. It is one of the oldest counties. The county is named after Colonel James Lauderdale of Tennessee. Land records here go back to the beginning.

Lauderdale County is notable because no fire has ever destroyed its records. This makes the collection very complete compared to other counties that lost documents. Historical researchers find this valuable.

For federal land patents, check the Alabama Secretary of State. They have records of original land grants. Search them free online.

Cities in Lauderdale County

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

Florence is the largest city with about 41,000 people. Other cities include Rogersville, Lexington, St. Florian, Anderson, and Killen. None have populations over 100,000. All deed records go through the Lauderdale County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

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