Macon County Deed Records

Macon County deed records are stored at the Probate Court in Tuskegee. The office has online access to records from 1997 to the present day.

Macon County Probate Court

The Macon County Probate Judge office handles all deed recordings in the county. This is where you file new deeds and search old ones. Staff can help you look up property records by name or legal description. The office sits on Rosa Parks Avenue in downtown Tuskegee, named after the civil rights icon who grew up in this area.

Macon County has a smaller population than most Alabama counties. This means shorter wait times at the Probate Court. You can often get help right away during regular business hours. The staff knows local property records well since the county has fewer transactions than larger areas. They can point you in the right direction if you need help finding a specific deed or tract of land in Macon County.

Searching Macon County Deed Records Online

Macon County provides online access to deed records from 1997 forward. This is a good resource if you need recent property information. The online system lets you search by grantor, grantee, or document type. You can find deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments without visiting the courthouse in Tuskegee.

The online records system covers about 27 years of data. For older records, you will need to visit the Probate Court in person. Staff can search the older deed books for you. These books go back much further than the online system. Some date to when the county was formed in 1832.

To search online, you need to create an account with the records provider. Most searches are free. Viewing full document images may cost a small fee per page. The exact cost depends on which vendor Macon County uses for online access. Contact the Probate Court to get the current website address and login details.

When you search Macon County deed records, you can look for:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents and releases
• Liens and judgments against property
• Powers of attorney related to real estate
• Right of way easements
• Plat maps and surveys

Macon County Deed Recording Fees

Macon County charges $14.50 to record the first page of a deed. Each extra page costs $3.00. These fees are set by state law with some local additions. The county can add charges for indexing and preservation on top of the base state fee.

You also pay a deed transfer tax when you record. Alabama law sets this at $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds of this tax goes to the state. One third stays in Macon County. Some transfers are exempt from this tax. Transfers between spouses and certain family gifts do not require the deed tax payment.

Common recording fees in Macon County include:

• First page of deed: $14.50
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• Certified copy fee: varies by page count

You must also file an RT-1 form with every deed in Macon County. This is the Real Estate Sales Validation Form required by the Alabama Department of Revenue. The form shows the actual sale price or fair market value. Without this form, the Probate Court cannot record your deed. There is no charge for filing the RT-1 form itself.

How to Record a Deed in Macon County

Recording a deed in Macon County takes a few steps. First, make sure your deed meets Alabama requirements. The document must have the grantor's name, address, and marital status. It needs the grantee's full name and mailing address. A legal description of the property is required along with a derivation clause showing where the grantor got title.

Bring your deed to the Probate Court in Tuskegee. The address is 101 Rosa Parks Avenue, Suite 101. Staff will check that your document meets recording standards. If everything looks right, you pay the recording fee and deed tax. The clerk stamps your deed with the date, time, and recording information. You get the original back after processing.

Documents recorded in Macon County must include:

• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• Grantor marital status as required by Alabama law
• Full grantee address for tax mailings
• Name and address of who prepared the deed
• Completed RT-1 form
• Recording fee payment

The Probate Court processes most deeds the same day in Macon County. You can wait for your original or come back later. Staff will assign a book and page number to your deed. This is how others find the document when they search records. Keep a note of your recording information for future reference.

Title Searches in Macon County

A title search looks at the deed history for a property. This shows all past owners and any liens or claims. In Macon County, title searches start at the Probate Court. You can do a basic search yourself using the online system or in-person index books.

For a full title search, most people hire a title company or attorney. They know how to find all the records that affect a property. This includes not just deeds but also mortgages, tax liens, judgments, and easements. A complete search in Macon County may go back 30 or 40 years depending on the transaction.

Title insurance companies do business in Macon County. They offer policies that protect buyers from title defects. Before issuing a policy, they search the deed records thoroughly. If you buy property in Macon County, your lender will probably require title insurance. The cost depends on the property value and the policy amount.

When doing a title search in Macon County, you check:

• Chain of title showing all prior owners
• Open mortgages that have not been released
• Tax liens from state or federal agencies
• Judgment liens from court cases
• Easements and restrictions on the land
• Boundary surveys and plat maps

Other Property Records in Macon County

The Probate Court in Macon County keeps more than just deeds. Other property-related documents are also recorded here. Mortgages and mortgage releases go in the same recording system. So do liens, easements, and powers of attorney that deal with real estate.

The Macon County Revenue Commissioner handles property tax records. Their office assesses property values and collects taxes. If you need tax information for a parcel, contact the Revenue Commissioner at (334) 727-5125. They can tell you the assessed value, tax rate, and payment status for any property in Macon County.

The Macon County Tax Assessor maps all parcels in the county. Their GIS system shows property boundaries and ownership. This is helpful when you need to identify a parcel before searching deed records. Tax maps use parcel numbers that you can cross-reference with deeds at the Probate Court.

Legal Help for Property Matters

If you need help with a deed or property issue in Macon County, several resources exist. Real estate attorneys can prepare deeds, handle closings, and resolve title problems. The Alabama State Bar has a lawyer referral service at (800) 392-5660.

Legal Services Alabama serves low-income residents of Macon County. They can help with some property matters at no cost. Contact them at (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance. Not all cases involve court, but they may be able to advise on deed issues or property disputes.

Tuskegee University is located in Macon County. Their legal clinic may offer help to local residents on property matters. Contact the university for information about any programs that assist community members with legal needs.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Macon County. If the property you need is near the county line, check that you have the right county before searching. Deeds are recorded only in the county where the land sits.