Find Deed Records in Sumter County

Sumter County deed records are stored at the Probate Court in Livingston. The county has the lowest first page recording fee in Alabama at just $7.

Sumter County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Sumter County handles all deed recordings. The office sits in the county seat of Livingston. Staff can help you file new deeds, search old records, and get copies of documents. This is a small office that serves a rural county.

Sumter County stands out for its low fees. At just $7 for the first page, it has the lowest recording cost in the state. Most Alabama counties charge between $10 and $25 for the first page. This makes Sumter County one of the cheapest places to record a deed.

Online Deed Records

Sumter County has limited online access to deed records. The county uses the Ingenuity portal for some records. You can search basic index information online. However, full document access may require an in-person visit.

The online portal is at ingprobate.com/Sumter_Probate. You may need to create an account to search. Not all records are available online. For complete research, plan to visit the Probate Court in Livingston.

Online access covers more recent years. Older deeds from the 1800s and early 1900s may only exist in the original deed books at the courthouse. Staff can help you search these older records during your visit.

Recording Requirements

Sumter County follows Alabama state law for deed recording. Your deed must meet specific requirements before the Probate Court will accept it. Take time to review your document before filing.

Every deed must include:

• Legal description using metes and bounds or lot and block numbers
• Grantor's full name, address, and marital status
• Grantee's full name and mailing address for tax notices
• Derivation clause showing where the grantor got title
• Name and address of the person who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures from all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form showing sale price or value

The marital status requirement comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The Probate Judge can refuse to record any deed that lacks this information. Double check your deed before making the trip to Livingston.

Sumter County Recording Fees

Sumter County has the lowest recording fees in Alabama. The first page costs just $7. Each additional page adds $3. This makes Sumter County very affordable for deed recording.

The fee breakdown for recording deeds:

• First page: $7.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Extra names beyond two grantors or grantees: $1.00 each

The deed transfer tax still applies even with low recording fees. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1, the tax is fifty cents per five hundred dollars of property value. Two thirds goes to the state. One third stays with Sumter County.

The office accepts cash and checks. Call ahead to ask about credit card acceptance. Exact payment speeds up processing.

Types of Deed Records

The Sumter County Probate Court records many types of property documents. Warranty deeds are the most common type filed. These transfer property ownership with a guarantee that the title is clear.

Documents available at the Probate Court:

• Warranty deeds for property sales
• Quit claim deeds for ownership transfers
• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Mortgage satisfactions and releases
• Easement agreements
• Right of way documents
• Subdivision plats
• 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 to request access to deed records.

Searching Records In Person

You can visit the Sumter County Probate Court to search deed records. The office is in the courthouse in Livingston. Staff can help you find documents and make copies. Bring your ID and any details about the property.

The office is small and serves a rural county. Wait times are usually short. Staff members know the local records well. They can often point you to the right deed book quickly if you have basic information about the property.

Copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more. Let staff know if you need certification for legal purposes. Certified copies may take a few minutes to prepare.

Livingston is a small town. Parking near the courthouse is usually easy to find. Plan your visit during regular business hours. The office closes for lunch in some cases.

Historical Records

Sumter County was formed in 1832 from Choctaw cession lands. The earliest deed records date to that period. These old documents show the original land grants and first property transfers after the county formed.

Historical research often requires an in-person visit. The online system does not have all the old records. Staff can help you navigate the original deed books. These contain handwritten records from the 1800s and early 1900s.

For records before Sumter County existed, check the Alabama Secretary of State. Their portal has original federal land patents from the early days of Alabama. Visit sos.alabama.gov to search those documents.

Title Searches

A title search traces the ownership history of a property. It looks for liens, claims, or problems with the chain of title. Sumter County deed records are the main source for this research.

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

For real estate transactions, most buyers hire a title company. These professionals know what to look for. They also provide insurance if they miss something. Most lenders require title insurance before approving a mortgage.

About Livingston

Livingston is the county seat and largest town in Sumter County. It is home to the University of West Alabama. The town sits in the Black Belt region of Alabama, known for its rich dark soil.

The courthouse is in downtown Livingston. The building holds both the Probate Court and other county offices. If you are visiting from out of town, the drive may take time. Sumter County is in western Alabama near the Mississippi border.

Plan ahead if you need to visit. The area is rural with limited services. Make sure you have all your documents ready before you make the trip to the Probate Court.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County has several small towns. All of them file deed records at the Probate Court in Livingston. Communities include Livingston, York, Cuba, Emelle, Epes, and Geiger. This is a rural county with no large cities.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sumter County. Check the property location to make sure you file in the right county.