Find Deed Records in Marengo County

Marengo County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in Linden. Online access is limited, so most searches require an in-person visit or phone request.

Marengo County Probate Court

The Marengo County Probate Judge office records all deeds in the county. This rural county in west Alabama has a smaller staff than urban areas. The office is on East Coats Avenue in downtown Linden, which serves as the county seat.

Staff at the Probate Court can help you search for deed records. They maintain index books going back to when the county was formed. Marengo County was created in 1818, so records span over 200 years. The oldest deeds are handwritten in large bound volumes. More recent records are typed and some are now digital.

Searching Marengo County Deed Records

Marengo County has limited online access to deed records. Unlike larger counties with full digital systems, Marengo County has not put most records online yet. You may be able to search an index, but document images are generally not available over the internet.

For most searches, you will need to visit the Probate Court in person. Staff can look up deeds by name or by property description. Bring as much information as you have about the property or parties involved. The more details you provide, the faster the search goes. Staff can make copies of any documents you find.

You can also request searches by phone or mail. Call the Probate Court at (334) 295-2210 to ask about a specific deed. For mail requests, send a letter with the property details and your contact information. Include a check for copy fees if you want documents mailed back to you. Response times vary depending on how busy the office is.

Types of records you can search at the Marengo County Probate Court:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents and releases
• Tax liens and judgment liens
• Easements and rights of way
• Plat maps and surveys
• Powers of attorney for property

Marengo County Deed Recording Fees

Marengo County has some of the lower recording fees in Alabama. The first page costs $11.00 to record. Each additional page is $3.00. This makes Marengo County cheaper than many neighboring counties for recording deeds.

You also pay deed transfer tax when recording. The state rate is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds of this goes to Alabama. One third stays in Marengo County. Some transfers are exempt from this tax, such as those between husband and wife or certain family gifts.

Common fees in Marengo County include:

• Recording first page: $11.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500
• Copy fees: varies by document length
• Certified copies: additional certification fee

Marengo County requires an RT-1 form with every deed recording. This Real Estate Sales Validation Form shows the sale price or property value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires this form statewide. No fee is charged for the RT-1 itself, but the deed will not be recorded without it.

How to Record a Deed in Marengo County

Recording a deed in Marengo County requires a properly prepared document. Alabama has specific rules about what must be on every deed. Missing information can cause the Probate Court to reject your document.

Every deed in Marengo County must include:

• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and complete mailing address
• Legal description of the property
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors

Take your completed deed to the Probate Court in Linden. The office is at 101 E Coats Avenue. Staff will review your document for completeness. If everything is in order, you pay the recording fee and any deed tax. The clerk stamps your deed with the recording date and assigns a book and page number.

Processing is usually quick in Marengo County. The smaller volume of recordings means less wait time than in urban counties. You can typically wait for your original deed or pick it up later the same day. Keep the recording information for your records.

Title Searches in Marengo County

A title search in Marengo County involves looking through the deed index books. You start with the current owner and work backward through each prior sale. The index shows grantor and grantee names along with book and page numbers. Staff can help you navigate the system if you are not familiar with it.

Since online access is limited in Marengo County, most complete title searches require an in-person visit. Title companies and attorneys who work in this area are used to this process. They know how to search the paper records efficiently.

When buying property in Marengo County, you should get title insurance. The title company will search the records and issue a policy based on what they find. This protects you if a problem with the title comes up later. Most mortgage lenders require title insurance for financed purchases.

A title search in Marengo County checks for:

• Complete chain of ownership
• Outstanding mortgages
• Tax liens and other liens
• Easements that affect the property
• Any court judgments against the owner

Property Tax Records in Marengo County

The Marengo County Revenue Commissioner handles property taxes. This is a separate office from the Probate Court. They assess property values and collect annual taxes. If you need tax information for a parcel, contact the Revenue Commissioner directly.

Property tax records can be useful when searching for deed information. The tax rolls list all property owners in the county. Parcel maps show property boundaries. These can help you identify a piece of land before searching deed records at the Probate Court.

Unpaid property taxes can result in a tax lien. These liens are recorded at the Probate Court and show up in a title search. If taxes go unpaid for too long, the county can sell the property at a tax sale. Check the tax status of any property you plan to buy in Marengo County.

Legal Resources in Marengo County

If you need legal help with property matters in Marengo County, several options exist. Real estate attorneys can prepare deeds, handle title problems, and manage closings. The Alabama State Bar has a referral service at (800) 392-5660.

Legal Services Alabama provides free help to low-income residents. They serve Marengo County through their regional office. Call (866) 456-4995 to see if you qualify for assistance. They may be able to help with basic property questions or disputes.

The Marengo County Probate Court staff can answer general questions about recording procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain what documents you need and how the recording process works.

Nearby Counties

Marengo County is in west Alabama near the Mississippi border. Make sure your property is in Marengo County before searching here. Land near county lines may actually be in a neighboring county.