Access Marshall County Deed Records

Marshall County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in Guntersville. Online access is available through the Ingenuity portal for searching and viewing recorded documents.

Marshall County Probate Court

The Marshall County Probate Judge handles all deed recordings in the county. This office sits on Gunter Avenue in Guntersville, which is the county seat. Staff record new documents and maintain the indexes that let you search property records going back many decades.

Marshall County is in north Alabama along Lake Guntersville. The county has a mix of suburban areas near Huntsville and more rural land around the lake. The Probate Court serves all these areas for deed recording and property searches. Guntersville is easy to reach from Huntsville, Albertville, or Arab.

Searching Marshall County Deed Records Online

Marshall County offers online access through the Ingenuity portal at ingprobate.com/marshall_probate. This system lets you search deed records from your computer or phone. You can look up deeds by name, date range, or document type.

The online system covers many years of Marshall County records. Index searches are typically free. You can see who sold property and who bought it, along with the recording date and book and page number. Document images are also available for viewing and downloading.

Some features of the online system may require a small fee. Viewing full document images or downloading copies often has a per-page charge. The exact costs depend on what you need. For basic searches, you can often get the information you need at no cost.

Types of documents you can find online in Marshall County:

• Warranty deeds showing property sales
• Quitclaim deeds for title transfers
• Mortgage documents
• Mortgage releases and satisfactions
• Liens against property
• Easements and rights of way
• Subdivision plats and maps

Marshall County Deed Recording Fees

Marshall County has a straightforward fee structure. Recording costs $3.00 per page. A $5.00 probate fee applies to each document. There is also a $1.00 certification fee. These fees add up to a reasonable total for most deeds.

For a typical two-page deed, you would pay $6.00 in page fees plus the $5.00 probate fee and $1.00 certification. That comes to $12.00 total before deed tax. Longer documents cost more since the per-page fee applies to every page.

Recording fees in Marshall County break down as:

• Per page fee: $3.00
• Probate fee: $5.00 per document
• Certification fee: $1.00
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• RT-1 form: no charge

The deed transfer tax is set by state law. Alabama charges $0.50 for every $500 of property value. About two thirds goes to the state and one third stays in Marshall County. Some transfers are exempt, like those between spouses. Ask the Probate Court if you think your transfer might be exempt from the deed tax.

How to Record a Deed in Marshall County

Recording a deed in Marshall County means following Alabama's document requirements. Your deed needs certain information or the Probate Court cannot record it. Getting everything right saves you time and a return trip.

Every deed in Marshall County must have:

• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and complete mailing address
• Full legal description of the property
• Derivation clause citing the prior deed
• Name and address of who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures from all grantors

Take your prepared deed to the Probate Court at 425 Gunter Avenue, Suite 110, in Guntersville. Staff review the document to make sure it meets requirements. Then you pay the recording fees and any deed tax. The clerk stamps the deed with recording information and assigns a book and page number.

You also need an RT-1 form. This Real Estate Sales Validation Form shows the sale price or property value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires it for all deed recordings. Without the RT-1, Marshall County will not record your deed. There is no fee for the form itself.

Most deeds are processed quickly in Marshall County. You can wait for your original document or come back later to pick it up. Keep a record of the book and page number for future reference.

Title Searches in Marshall County

A title search traces ownership of a property through deed records. In Marshall County, you can start your search online using the Ingenuity system. Look up the current owner and work backward through prior deeds. Each deed should reference the earlier one in the derivation clause.

Beyond deeds, a title search also checks for mortgages and liens. These claims against the property show up in the same index system. You want to know about any debt or claims before you buy land. A complete search covers several decades of records to catch anything that might affect the title.

Most buyers in Marshall County hire a title company or attorney for searches. They know how to find all the records that matter. Professional searchers check court records, tax records, and other sources beyond just the deed index. Their thorough search is the basis for title insurance.

Title insurance protects you if something was missed. If a claim shows up after closing that affects your ownership, the insurance covers your loss. Mortgage lenders require title insurance on financed purchases in Marshall County. Buyers can also get owner's policies for extra protection.

Lake Guntersville Property Records

Marshall County surrounds Lake Guntersville, one of the largest lakes in Alabama. A lot of property in the county sits on or near the lake. If you are buying waterfront land, your deed search should pay attention to water rights and easements.

Some lakefront properties have TVA easements. The Tennessee Valley Authority controls water levels and has rights along the shore. These easements limit what you can build near the water. Check the deed records carefully for any TVA or other easements on lake property in Marshall County.

Dock permits are separate from deed records. TVA handles dock permits along Lake Guntersville. Having a deed to waterfront property does not automatically give you dock rights. Contact TVA about the permitting process if you want to build a dock.

Property Tax Records in Marshall County

The Marshall County Revenue Commissioner handles property taxes. This office assesses values and collects annual taxes. It is separate from the Probate Court but works with the same property information.

Tax records can help identify property before you search deeds. The tax assessor maintains parcel maps showing boundaries. Each parcel has an ID number that links to ownership and tax information. You can use this to find the legal description for a deed search.

Unpaid taxes create liens on property. These liens show up in the deed records at the Probate Court. If you are buying land in Marshall County, check the tax status. You do not want to inherit someone else's tax debt.

Legal Resources in Marshall County

Real estate attorneys in Marshall County can help with deeds, closings, and title problems. The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 392-5660. They can connect you with an attorney who handles property matters.

Legal Services Alabama provides free help to low-income residents. Their north Alabama office serves Marshall County. Call (866) 456-4995 to ask about qualifying for assistance with property issues.

Staff at the Marshall County Probate Court can answer questions about recording procedures. They explain what documents you need and how the process works. They cannot give legal advice, but they know the recording system well.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marshall County. Property near the county line might actually be in a neighboring county. Check the exact location before searching.