Limestone County Deed Records

Limestone County deed records are kept at the Probate Court in Athens. The office has digitized historical archives going back to 1819, making old records easier to access.

Limestone County Probate Office

The Limestone 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 Clinton Street in downtown Athens.

Limestone County stands out for its digital archives. Records from 1819 to 1887 have been digitized. This makes historical research much easier. The county has no zoning laws, which affects some property transactions. Athens is the county seat and has grown significantly in recent years.

How to Search Limestone County Deed Records

Limestone 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 date of recording
• Book and page number if known

The digital archives from 1819 to 1887 are a unique resource. These early records show land ownership from when Alabama first became a state. Researchers studying family history or old property find this very useful.

For certified copies, contact the Probate Office. Online copies are not certified. If you need documents for legal purposes, you may need the official version with the court seal.

Limestone County Recording Fees

Limestone County has some of the lower recording fees in Alabama. The first page costs just four dollars. This makes it cheaper to record deeds here than in many other counties.

Current fees in Limestone County:

• First page: $4.00
• 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 Limestone County. Family transfers and spouse transfers may be exempt.

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

A deed in Limestone 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

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 Limestone County. All types go through the same recording process and cost the same.

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 clear title. Quitclaim deeds offer no promise. They 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 title search looks at all these records.

Other records in Limestone County:

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

Note that Limestone County has no zoning. This can affect how land is used. Check with the county before buying if zoning matters to you.

Tax records are at the Revenue Commissioner. Court records are at the Circuit Clerk. Judgments and lawsuits over property show up there.

Historical Records

Limestone County was formed in 1818, one year before Alabama became a state. It is one of the original counties. The county is named after Limestone Creek. Records go back to the very beginning of statehood.

The digital archives from 1819 to 1887 are special. Few counties have digitized records this old. Genealogists and historians value this resource. You can search these online through the Ingenuity portal.

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

Cities in Limestone County

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

Athens is the county seat with about 27,000 people. Other towns include Ardmore, Elkmont, Mooresville, and parts of Huntsville. None have populations over 100,000. All deed records go through the Limestone County Probate Office.

Nearby Counties

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