Lawrence County Deed Records

Lawrence County deed records are filed at the Probate Court in Moulton. This county has the oldest land records in Alabama, dating back to 1810, nine years before the state even existed.

Lawrence County Probate Office

The Lawrence 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 go by book and page number. The office is on Market Street in Moulton.

Lawrence County holds a special place in Alabama history. Land records here date to 1810. This is before Alabama was a state and before the county was even officially formed in 1818. These pre-statehood records make Lawrence County unique for historical research.

How to Search Lawrence County Deed Records

Lawrence County has limited online access to deed records. Most searches require a visit or phone call to the office. Staff can look up records and make copies for you. This is common in smaller rural counties.

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 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 visit or send a written request with payment.

The 1936 courthouse is being restored. During restoration, some services may be affected. Call ahead to confirm office location and hours.

Lawrence County Recording Fees

Lawrence County charges fees to record deeds. These fees cover staff work and document preservation. Call to confirm current rates.

Recording fees typically include:

• First page: Base recording fee
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value

The deed transfer tax is required on most sales. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, two thirds goes to the state. One third stays in Lawrence County. Family transfers and spouse transfers may be exempt.

The office accepts cash and checks. Call ahead about credit cards. Have fees ready when you file.

Recording Requirements

Alabama law tells what deeds must include. The Lawrence County Probate Judge checks every document. Deeds missing required items get rejected. Check your deed before you submit.

Every deed in Lawrence County needs:

• 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

The marital status rule is in 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. Missing this can stop recording.

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

Types of Deeds

Several deed types are used in Lawrence County. Each serves a different legal purpose. All types go through the same recording process.

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 the most protection to buyers. The seller promises the title is good. Quitclaim deeds offer no promise. They transfer whatever the grantor has. Use these for family transfers or to fix title problems.

Talk to a lawyer if you are not sure which deed to use. The Probate Office cannot give legal advice.

Other Property Records

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

Other records in Lawrence 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. Check there for property assessments and unpaid taxes. Tax liens can lead to loss of property.

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

Lawrence County claims the oldest land records in Alabama. Records date to 1810. This is before Alabama became a state in 1819 and before the county was officially created in 1818. These early records came from territorial government days.

The county is named after James Lawrence, a naval hero from the War of 1812. His dying words were reportedly "Don't give up the ship." The county has preserved its historical records well over more than 200 years.

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

Cities in Lawrence County

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

Moulton is the county seat with about 3,400 people. Other towns include Town Creek, Courtland, Hillsboro, and North Courtland. None have populations over 100,000. All deed records go through the Lawrence County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

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