Search Shelby County Deed Records

Shelby County deed records are stored at the Probate Court in Columbiana. The county offers completely free online access to property records dating back to 1819.

Shelby County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Shelby County handles all deed recordings and land records. This office keeps property documents going back over 200 years. Staff members can help you search for deeds, get copies, and file new documents. The office is in the county seat of Columbiana.

Shelby County stands out in Alabama for its online access. The county provides completely free searching and viewing of deed records. You can look up property documents from 1819 to today without paying a fee. Most other counties charge for this service. Shelby also has one of the most modern record systems in the state.

Free Online Deed Records

Shelby County offers the best free online access in Alabama. The records portal lets you search by name, date, or document type. You can view full deed images at no cost. No account is needed to search or view documents.

The online system has records from 1819. That makes Shelby County one of the oldest accessible archives in the state. You can find original land grants, warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and mortgage releases. The search system is easy to use. Just type a name and pick a date range.

To search Shelby County deed records online:

• Go to probaterecords.shelbyal.com
• Click on the Records Search option
• Enter the grantor or grantee name
• Pick a date range or leave blank for all years
• Click Search to see results
• Click any result to view the full document image

You can print or save document images for your own records. For certified copies, you still need to contact the Probate Court. Certified copies cost extra and require a formal request.

Recording Requirements

Shelby County follows state rules for deed recording. Your deed must meet certain requirements or the Probate Court may reject it. Staff will review each document before accepting it for filing.

Your deed must include these items:

• Full legal description using metes and bounds or lot numbers
• Grantor name, address, and marital status
• Grantee name and full mailing address
• Source of title showing prior deed book and page
• Name of the person who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form with sale price or value

The marital status rule comes from Alabama law. Under Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73, the Probate Judge can refuse any deed missing this info. The RT-1 form is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue. Without it, your deed will not be recorded.

Shelby County Recording Fees

Shelby County charges $22 or more to record a deed. The exact cost depends on the number of pages and names involved. Fees must be paid at the time you file. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

The recording fee breaks down as follows:

• First page: $22.00
• Each extra page: $3.00
• Each name beyond two grantors or grantees: $1.00

A deed transfer tax also applies. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, the rate is fifty cents per five hundred dollars of property value. Two thirds goes to the state. One third stays with Shelby County. This tax applies to most deed transfers. Some exemptions exist for family transfers and other special cases.

For certified copies, the fee is typically five dollars per document plus a per-page charge. Call the office to confirm current rates before you visit.

Types of Deed Records Available

Shelby County stores many types of property documents. The most common is the warranty deed. This deed transfers ownership and includes a promise that the title is clear. Quit claim deeds are also common. They transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any warranty.

Other documents you can find at the Shelby County Probate Court:

• Warranty deeds for property sales
• Quit claim deeds for ownership transfers
• Deeds of trust and mortgages
• Mortgage releases and satisfactions
• Easement agreements
• Right of way documents
• Subdivision plats and maps
• Power of attorney documents
• Lis pendens notices

All these records are public under Code of Alabama Section 35-4-60. Anyone can view them during office hours. You do not need to own the property or be named in the document to access records in Shelby County.

Historical Deed Records

Shelby County has one of the oldest deed archives in Alabama. Records go back to 1819, the year Alabama became a state. These early documents show the original land grants and first property transfers in the area.

The historical records are fully digitized. You can search them online just like recent deeds. This is rare in Alabama. Most counties only have online access for recent years. Shelby County put in the work to scan all their old deed books.

Early deeds may be harder to read. Handwriting styles have changed over 200 years. Some documents have fading or damage. Staff at the Probate Court can help you read difficult records. They deal with old documents every day and know what to look for.

For land research before 1819, check the Alabama Secretary of State. Their land records portal has original federal patents from before statehood. Visit sos.alabama.gov to search these early records.

Searching Records In Person

You can visit the Shelby County Probate Court to search deed records. The office is in the county courthouse in Columbiana. Staff can help you find documents and make copies. Bring your ID and any information you have about the property.

To search in person, you can use the public access computers. These connect to the same database as the online portal. Staff members can show you how to use the system if you need help. Searches are free. You only pay for copies you want to take with you.

For a certified copy, fill out a request form at the front desk. Staff will pull the document and certify it for you. Certified copies take a few minutes to prepare. You can wait or come back later if the office is busy.

The courthouse has limited parking. Arrive early if you plan to spend time searching records. The office can get busy, especially on Mondays and the first of the month.

Electronic Recording

Shelby County accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. E-recording lets title companies and attorneys file deeds without mailing or visiting the courthouse. Documents are processed the same day in most cases.

To use e-recording in Shelby County, you must work with an approved vendor. Common vendors include Simplifile and CSC. Your attorney or title company likely already has an account set up. Ask them about e-recording if you want fast processing.

E-recorded documents appear in the online system right away. You can verify your recording by searching the grantor or grantee name. The document will show the recording date, book, and page number once it is processed.

Title Searches in Shelby County

A title search reviews the chain of ownership for a property. Title companies do this before real estate closings. The goal is to find any liens, claims, or problems with the title. Shelby County deed records are the main source for this research.

You can do a basic title search yourself using the online records. Start with the current owner and work backwards. Each deed should show where the grantor got title. Follow that trail back through the years. A full title search typically covers at least 40 years.

For a real estate transaction, you will want a professional title search. Title companies have staff trained to find issues that others might miss. They also provide insurance against problems they fail to catch. Most lenders require title insurance before approving a mortgage in Shelby County.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County has over 15 cities and towns. All of them file deed records at the Probate Court in Columbiana. The city of Hoover is partially in Shelby County. Properties in the Shelby portion use this Probate Court.

Other cities in Shelby County include Alabaster, Helena, Pelham, Chelsea, Montevallo, Calera, and Columbiana. All of these file property deeds at the Shelby County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Shelby County. If you are not sure which county handles your deed, check the property address. You must file in the county where the land is located.