DEEDS AND RECORDS

MAINTAINING RECORDS
The Probate Judge is required to preserve all documents, files, papers, and orders, together with all attachments required by law to be recorded and filed in the Probate Office. These records must be kept in a manner to permit convenient retrieval.

The following records when executed in accordance with law shall be admitted to record in the office of the Probate Judge:

Plats or maps;
Judgments and liens;
Deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, bills of sale, contracts or other documents purporting to convey any right, title, easement, or interest in any real estate or personal property;
Petitions, decrees, or orders of bankruptcy;
Corporations and other forms of business organizations;
Lis pendens;
Marriage license and military discharges;
Documents and instruments concerning condominiums;
Mortgages on personal property

NOTE: Documents that have been unnecessarily stapled and large packages that have been folded are sometimes difficult to process and may be damaged by the scanner. Please send larger packages in flat envelopes.

Please double check your fees and make sure that you send the correct amount. Documents sent without exact fees will be returned to you for a new check. Due to the high number of incorrect fees we receive each day, we cannot stop and call about them.

Multiple documents need to be separated by paperclips or staples; we cannot be responsible for determining where one ends and another begins. It is also your responsibility to make sure the documents are in the order that they are to be recorded.

When filing deeds, you must tell us the full purchase price or value of the property. We cannot assume how much deed tax is due and if your filing fees are correct based only on the money sent.

We require two checks for all corporation filings that are to be sent to the Secretary of State. No cash will be accepted for Secretary of State's fee. Please call for fees.

Separate checks are also required for UCC filings.

We do not stamp copies, please do not send them. Please do not send copies in binders.

All instruments must state the name and address of the preparer.

Documents being hand delivered need to be in the office by 4:00. Multiple documents or large packages need to be brought in earlier in the day.

If you have any questions, or need assistance in calculating fees, then please call us at (256) 362-4175, and we will be glad to assist you so that your documents can be recorded without unnecessary delays.

We ask that you send a self-addressed, stamped return envelope for returning all mailed documents. Recorded originals will not be returned to you if no envelope is sent. Please provide a return envelope large enough to hold the documents.

Mortgage Tax
(Round up to the next $100)

$ .15 per $100

Deed Tax
(Round up to the next $500; also include a note stating the consideration or purchase price)

$1.00 per $1000

Minimum Deed Tax
(Only if deed is to perfect title and must be stated on deed as such)

$1.00

Page Fee

$3.50 per page

Indexing Fee

$12.00 per instrument

Extra Indexes or References

$1.00 per name after four

Copies

$1.00 per page

Certification Fee

$3.00 per instrument + $1.00 per page