Limestone County Recorder

The Probate Office is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Limestone County.

Page Fee (All Documents)
*First Page (Includes Probate Fee)...$4.00
*Additional Pages..........$3.00 per page

Quickclaim Deed
*Only if the deed is to perfect title and must be stated on the deed.........$.50

Deed tax is $1 per $1,000, rounded up to the next $500.
Minimum deed tax is $0.50 - only if deed is to perfect title and must be stated on deed as such.

Mortgage tax is $1.50 per $1,000, rounded up to the next $100, i.e., $0.15 per $100.

Copies are $1 per page. Certified copies are $3 per instrument.

Double check the fees to make sure the correct amount is enclosed. Documents sent without exact fees will be returned. A self-addressed stamped envelope should be included. If it is not, original documents will not be returned. Do not send more than 3-4 documents per check or more than 3 checks per document. No out of county personal checks will be accepted.

County recording fees are subject to change without notice. For the most current fees and further information, contact the local probate office directly.

* Documents that have been unnecessarily stapled and large packages that have been folded are sometimes difficult to process. These items can also be damaged by the scanner. Larger packages should be sent in flat envelopes.

* Multiple documents sent in at the same time need to be separated by a staple or paperclip. The probate judge is not responsible for determining where one ends and another begins. It is the customer's responsibility to make sure the documents are in the order that they are to be recorded.

* The deed should include a notation of the consideration or purchase price.

DOCUMENT FORMAT

* Submit documents on white 8.5x14 inch paper or 8.5x11 inch paper. Original documents should be submitted.

* The first page should provide enough space for recording information. A 3x3 inch blank square in the top right corner should be sufficient for this purpose. All other margins should be at least 1 inch.

* Use blue or black ink in a font size of at least 10 point.

* Include a prepared by statement, which can be given in the following form: "This instrument prepared by (name and address)."

* The marital status of male grantors should be given in the deed.

* If a notary stamp or seal is not present, two witnesses are required.

* Corresponding names should be typed or printed beneath signatures.

* A legal description of the real property should include metes and bounds, and the state, county, and municipality of the property. Previously recorded references should also be provided.

* On a deed or subordination agreement, the Fair Market Value of the real property must be listed.

* Do not list a full social security number anywhere on the document.

The Real Estate Sales Validation Form must be filed in accordance with Code of Alabama 1975, Section 40-22-1.

Recording Statute: The recording in the proper office of any conveyance of property or other instrument which may be legally admitted to record operates as a notice of the contents of such conveyance or instrument without any acknowledgment or probate thereof as required by law.

All conveyances of real property, deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust or instruments in the nature of mortgages to secure any debts are inoperative and void as to purchasers for a valuable consideration, mortgagees and judgment creditors without notice, unless the same have been recorded before the accrual of the right of such purchasers, mortgagees or judgment creditors.