Access Winston County Deed Records

Winston County deed records are stored at the Probate Court in Double Springs. The county offers online access and has the lowest first page recording fee in north Alabama at just $4.

Winston County Probate Court

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

Winston County has very low recording fees. At just $4 for the first page, it may be the cheapest place to record a deed in north Alabama. The county also provides online access to records. This combination of low cost and good technology makes Winston County easy to work with.

Online Deed Records

Winston County provides online access to deed records through the Ingenuity portal. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document type. The system shows index information and may allow viewing of document images.

To search Winston County deed records online:

• Visit ingprobate.com/Winston_probate
• Create an account if required
• Select the records search option
• Enter the name you want to search
• Choose document type if known
• Review results and click for details

Some features may require a fee. Index searching is often free. Viewing and downloading document images may cost a small amount per page. Check the portal for current pricing.

Recording Requirements

Winston County follows Alabama state law for deed recording. Every deed must meet certain requirements before the Probate Court will accept it. Staff review documents during the filing process.

Your deed must include:

• Legal description of the property using metes and bounds or lot 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 of the person who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures from all grantors
• Completed RT-1 form with sale price or value

The marital status requirement comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The Probate Judge can refuse any deed missing this information. Check your document carefully before filing.

Winston County Recording Fees

Winston County has some of the lowest recording fees in Alabama. The first page costs just $4. Each additional page adds $3. These low fees make Winston County very affordable for deed recording.

The fee structure for recording deeds:

• First page: $4.00
• Each additional page: $3.00
• Extra names beyond two grantors or grantees: $1.00 each

The 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 Winston County.

The office accepts cash and checks. Call ahead to ask about credit card acceptance.

The Free State of Winston

Winston County has a unique place in Alabama history. During the Civil War, the county had strong Union sympathies. Local legend says the county tried to secede from Alabama when Alabama seceded from the Union. This earned Winston County the nickname "Free State of Winston."

The historical story is more complex than the legend. What is true is that many Winston County residents opposed secession. They held a meeting in 1861 that passed resolutions against leaving the Union. Many local men avoided Confederate service or joined Union forces.

This history affects deed research in interesting ways. Some families left the county during the war. Property transfers from that era may have unusual circumstances. Researchers studying mid-1800s deeds should understand this local history.

Types of Deed Records

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

Documents available at the Probate Court:

• Warranty deeds
• Quit claim deeds
• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Mortgage releases
• Easements
• Right of way agreements
• Timber deeds
• Mineral rights documents
• Subdivision plats

Winston County has lots of forested land. Timber deeds and cutting rights are common here. Check for any timber agreements when buying rural property in the county.

Searching Records In Person

You can visit the Winston County Probate Court to search deed records. The office is on Highway 195 in Double Springs. Staff can help you find documents and make copies. Bring your ID and any details about the property.

Double Springs is a small town in the hill country of northwest Alabama. The courthouse is easy to find. Parking is available nearby. The office is usually not crowded. Staff have time to help with research requests.

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

Title Searches

A title search traces the ownership history of a property. It looks for liens, claims, or breaks in the chain of title. Winston County deed records are the primary source for this research.

You can do a basic search yourself using the online portal or by visiting the office. Start with the current owner and work backwards. Each deed should show where the grantor got title. Follow that trail through the years.

For real estate transactions, most people hire a title company. Professionals know what problems to look for. They provide insurance against issues they miss. Most lenders require title insurance before approving a mortgage.

Smith Lake Property

Winston County includes part of Lewis Smith Lake. This large reservoir attracts buyers looking for waterfront property. Lake property often has special considerations in the deed.

If you are buying Smith Lake property in Winston County:

• Check for Alabama Power Company restrictions
• Review any dock permits or rights
• Look for flowage easements
• Verify the exact boundary at the water line

Lake property can have complex title histories. Multiple easements and restrictions may exist. A thorough title search is especially important for waterfront parcels. The Probate Court records all these documents.

Historical Records

Winston County was formed in 1850 from parts of Walker County. The earliest deed records date to that period. These old documents show the original land grants and first property transfers in the region.

Historical research may require an in-person visit. The online system covers more recent years but may not have all old records. Staff can help you navigate the original deed books. These contain handwritten records from the mid-1800s onward.

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

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several small towns. All of them file deed records at the Probate Court in Double Springs. Communities include Double Springs, Haleyville, Addison, Arley, and Lynn. Haleyville is the largest town, known as the place where the first 911 call was made in 1968.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Winston County. Check the property location to ensure you file in the correct county.