Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Madison Probate Office
About the Madison County Judge of Probate
Land records in Madison County are recorded by the Judge of Probate. The office is held by Frank Barger.
The online record portal requires an account; there is no fee to create an account and no fee to access documents available on the portal. Court and historic archives are available for viewing at 6921 Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763.
Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Meet the Judge | Madison County, AL · Recorded Documents | Madison County, AL · Alabama Code § 12-19-90 (Justia)
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $2.50 per page (per-document fees listed separately) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $2.50 per page (per-document fees listed separately) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $2.50 per page (basic recording fees apply) |
| Other standard documents | $2.50 per page (basic recording fees apply) |
Added at recording
| Imaging Fee | $10.00 per document |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $1.00 per document |
| Microfilm | $0.25 per document |
| Mental Health Fee | $12.00 per document; Mental Health Fund fee on probate court transactions, Ala. Code § 45-45-85.20 |
| Special recording fee | $4.00 each real or personal property, uniform commercial code, judicial, or other instrument recorded or filed; county commission may adjust by resolution; Ala. Code § 45-45-85.21 |
Other charges
| Additional names indexed | $1.00 each beyond the 2 included (per additional grantor or grantee name after 2) |
|---|---|
| Additional references or marginal notations | $1.00 each beyond the 2 included (per cross reference after 2) |
| Copies, per page | $1.00 |
| Certification | $2.00 |
Fee schedule effective April 1, 2013.
StatewideCode of Alabama § 12-19-90(b)(22) sets a general-law fee for filing and recording of $3.00 per page, and § 12-19-90(b)(24) sets $1.00 for indexing each name beyond two. Section 12-19-90(d) leaves in place local laws that set fees for judges of probate, so recording fees differ by county.
An additional $2.50 page fee is charged for recording the RT-1 form. Mortgages and deeds to exempt entities are subject to an additional $.50 no tax stamp fee. UCC-1 and UCC-3 amendments, assignments, and partial releases: first two pages $42.00; each additional page $2.00. UCC-3 terminations: $22.00 flat fee no matter how many pages. Plat: $33.25 for first sheet with 20 lots, each additional sheet $10, each additional lot $.50; 1 file copy stamp is free, each additional sheet $1.
Paying the office
| Checks payable to | Judge of Probate - Madison County, Alabama |
|---|
Transfer tax
Recordation Tax (deeds). Deeds – $.50 per $500 of value or fraction thereof. (Also bills of sale.) The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, Sections 40-22-1 through 40-22-12, Code of Alabama 1975)
StatewideA mortgage recordation tax is also collected at recording: Mortgages – $.15 per $100 of indebtedness or fraction thereof (also deeds of trust, conditional sale contracts, etc.), under Sections 40-22-1 through 40-22-12, Code of Alabama 1975 (mortgage tax at § 40-22-2). Distribution of recordation tax: two-thirds to the General Fund, one-third to the county.
When a deed and mortgage are filed simultaneously, the tax is paid on the deed in the amount of the down payment or equity; if the total purchase price is financed in the mortgage, the deed tax is a minimum of .50. If a deed is filed with a tax-exempt mortgage, deed tax is based on the full purchase price or appraised value.
Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recordation Tax - Alabama Department of Revenue · Recording Fees | Madison County, AL · Filing Real Estate and Legal Documents | Madison County, AL · Alabama Code § 12-19-90 (Justia)
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| First page top margin | 3 in |
|---|---|
| Prepared-by statement required | Yes (statewide, Ala. Code § 35-4-110) |
Original documents are required for recording. Copies from other court systems must be certified. Grantor marital status must be provided and appear on all deeds and mortgagor(s).
Forms filed along with a transfer
- Form RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form Statewide Alabama Department of RevenueIf the conveyance document presented for recordation contains all of the required information referenced above, the filing of this form is not required.
Submitting documents
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
| Stamped, self-addressed return envelope | Required |
Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Probate Office · Form RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form · Recording Fees | Madison County, AL · Filing Real Estate and Legal Documents | Madison County, AL · Records and Recordings - Tuscaloosa County
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Available through Deeds.com
Use Deeds.com's paid service to submit documents electronically to the recorder's office. Deeds.com service fees are separate from government recording fees and taxes.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Madison Probate Office
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
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