Perry County Deed Records Search

Perry County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in Marion. Online access is available for records from 2008 to the present through the Syscon system.

Perry County Probate Court

The Perry County Probate Judge handles all deed recordings in the county. This small rural county in west central Alabama has its seat in Marion, which is also home to two colleges. The Probate Court on Washington Street maintains deed records going back to when the county was formed in 1819.

Perry County is one of the smaller counties by population in Alabama. This means the Probate Court has a lower volume of recordings than urban areas. Wait times are usually short. Staff can often help you right away during regular business hours.

Searching Perry County Deed Records Online

Perry County offers online access to deed records through the Syscon system at psearch.syscononline.com. This system has records from 2008 to the present. For older records, you need to visit the Probate Court in person or make a request by phone or mail.

The online portal lets you search by name or date range. You can find deeds, mortgages, and other property documents recorded since 2008. The index shows recording dates and document references. Some document images may be available for viewing.

To search records before 2008, contact the Probate Court directly. Staff can look up deeds in the older index books. Perry County has records going back to 1819. These historical documents are only available at the courthouse in Marion.

Documents you can search online in Perry County include:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents and releases
• Liens of various types
• Easements and rights of way
• Plats and surveys

Perry County Deed Recording Fees

Perry County charges $13.00 to record the first page of a deed. Each additional page costs $3.00. These fees are about average for smaller Alabama counties. The total depends on the length of your document.

The deed transfer tax applies on sales. Alabama charges $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds goes to the state and one third stays in Perry County. Some transfers are exempt, like those between spouses or certain family transactions.

Recording costs in Perry County include:

• First page: $13.00
• Additional pages: $3.00 each
• Deed tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• RT-1 form: no charge
• Certified copies: additional fee

Every deed needs an RT-1 form. This Real Estate Sales Validation Form shows the sale price or value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires it statewide. Without the RT-1, Perry County will not record your deed.

How to Record a Deed in Perry County

Recording a deed in Perry County follows Alabama's document requirements. Your deed must have certain information or the Probate Court will reject it. Getting everything in order ahead of time saves you trips to the courthouse.

Alabama requires every deed to include:

• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and complete mailing address
• Full 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 300 Washington Street in Marion. Staff check the document for completeness. You pay the recording fee and any deed tax that applies. The clerk stamps your deed with the recording information and assigns a book and page number.

Processing is usually quick in Perry County. The smaller volume means less wait time. You can wait for your original or pick it up later the same day. Keep a record of the book and page number for future reference.

Title Searches in Perry County

Title searches in Perry County combine online and in-person research. Use the Syscon system for records from 2008 forward. For a complete search going back further, you need to check the paper records at the Probate Court.

A basic title search traces ownership back through prior deeds. Start with the current owner and work backward. Each deed references the earlier one in its derivation clause. Keep going until you have enough history for your needs.

Beyond deeds, check for mortgages, liens, and other claims. These show up in the same index as deeds. A thorough search covers all types of recorded documents. Most buyers hire a title company or attorney to handle this work.

Things to check in a Perry County title search:

• Complete chain of ownership
• Outstanding mortgages not released
• Tax liens from unpaid taxes
• Judgment liens from court cases
• Easements affecting the property

Title insurance protects against problems missed in the search. Mortgage lenders require it on financed purchases. Buyers can also get owner's policies for extra protection when buying land in Perry County.

Property Tax Records in Perry County

The Perry County Revenue Commissioner handles property taxes. This office assesses values and collects annual taxes. Tax records are separate from deed records but connected through parcel numbers and property descriptions.

Tax maps show parcel boundaries in Perry County. Each property has an ID number that links to ownership and tax data. You can use tax records to help identify a property before searching deeds at the Probate Court.

Unpaid property taxes create liens. These liens are recorded and show up in title searches. Check the tax status before buying land in Perry County. Tax sales happen when owners fall far behind on payments.

Legal Resources in Perry County

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

Legal Services Alabama provides free help to low-income residents. They serve Perry County through their regional office. Call (866) 456-4995 to ask about qualifying for assistance with property issues.

Marion is home to Judson College and Marion Military Institute. The small-town setting means fewer attorneys practice locally, so you may need to look in nearby counties for legal help with complex property matters.

Nearby Counties

Perry County is in west central Alabama. These counties share borders with Perry County. Check that your property is actually in Perry County before searching here.