Find Deed Records in Pike County

Pike County deed records are maintained at the Probate Court in Troy. Online access is available for records from 1970 to the present through the county's records portal.

Pike County Probate Court

The Pike County Probate Judge records all deeds in the county. This office on West Church Street in Troy handles property recordings and searches. Staff maintain deed records going back to when the county was formed in 1821.

Pike County is in southeast Alabama. Troy is the county seat and home to Troy University. The college town setting means a mix of permanent residents and students. The Probate Court serves everyone who needs to record property documents or search land records in Pike County.

Searching Pike County Deed Records Online

Pike County offers online access to deed records at recordsus.myomnitech.com/pikeindex.php. This system has records from 1970 to the present. You can search over 50 years of property transactions from your computer.

The online portal lets you search by name or date range. You can find deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. The index shows recording dates and document references. Document images may be available for viewing or downloading depending on the document.

For records before 1970, you need to visit the Probate Court in person. Staff maintain the older deed books at the courthouse. These contain valuable information for long-term title searches. Pike County has records going back to 1821.

Documents you can search online in Pike County include:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents and releases
• Liens against property
• Easements and rights of way
• Plats and subdivision maps
• Powers of attorney

Pike County Deed Recording Fees

Pike County charges $14.00 to record the first page of a deed. Each additional page costs $5.00. Note that the per-page fee is higher than some other Alabama counties. This affects the total cost for longer documents.

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

Recording fees in Pike County break down as:

• First page: $14.00
• Additional pages: $5.00 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 fair market value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires it on all deed recordings. Without the form, Pike County will not record your deed.

How to Record a Deed in Pike County

Recording a deed in Pike County follows Alabama's document requirements. Your deed must have certain information or the Probate Court will reject it. Getting everything right the first time saves you a return trip.

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

Bring your completed deed to 120 W. Church Street in Troy. The Probate Court is in the courthouse building. 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.

Processing is usually same day in Pike County. You can wait for your original or pick it up later. The staff assigns a book and page number to your deed. Keep this information for your records since you will need it to find the deed again.

Title Searches in Pike County

Title searches in Pike County can start online for records from 1970 forward. Use the county portal to trace recent ownership. For a complete search, you may need to check older records at the Probate Court in Troy.

A basic title search follows the chain of ownership. Start with the current owner and work backward through prior deeds. 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 and liens. These claims against property show up in the same index. A thorough search covers all types of recorded documents. Most buyers hire a title company or attorney to do this work properly.

Things to check in a Pike County title search:

• Complete chain of ownership
• Outstanding mortgages
• 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 Pike County.

Property Tax Records in Pike County

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

Tax maps show property boundaries in Pike County. Each parcel has an ID number connecting it to ownership and tax data. You can use this information to identify a property before searching deeds at the Probate Court.

Unpaid property taxes create liens. These liens appear in the Probate Court records. Check tax status before buying land in Pike County. Tax sales happen when owners fall far behind on payments.

Legal Resources in Pike County

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

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

Troy University has a campus in the county seat. The university may have legal clinics or resources that help local residents with basic legal questions.

Nearby Counties

Pike County is in southeast Alabama. These counties share borders with Pike County. Check that your property is actually in Pike County before searching here.