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Document Filing Requirements
- Original document(s) only: Copies will not be accepted unless they are certified copies from another court system. All documents are to be submitted in recording order.
- This Instrument Prepared By: With the name and address of the individual who prepared the document pursuant to Code of Alabama 1975 35-4-110.
- Marital Status: Must be stated on the document for grantors on deeds, mortgagors on mortgages Code of Alabama 1975 35-4-73.
- Plat book and page: Must be a part of the legal description for property lying within a subdivision and not described as metes and bounds Code of Alabama 1975 35-4-74.
- Source of Title: Must be stated on any deed or mortgage indicating the Deed book and page reference(s) of where the grantor or mortgagor acquired the property is recorded. Proper format is Source of Title: Deed Book xxx Page xxx. If the property was acquired from a descendant, an Estate Page is required (only 1 per estate allowed) in addition to the Source of Title. Act No. 656
- Book Type: not just book to be stated on any reference to a recording in this office.
- Checks: are to be made payable to Judge of Probate. A phone number and physical address must be stated for business checks. Personal checks must include 2 phone numbers, physical address and Driver’s License number.
- First Page: Must have a 3” x 3” blank space in top right-hand corner for Recording Information.
- Return Envelope: Must be included for the proper return of your document(s).
Contact Type | Contact Information |
|---|---|
Physical Address: | 714 Greensboro Ave, Room 137, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
Mailing Address: | P. O. Box 20067, Tuscaloosa, AL 35402-0067 |
Email: | Probate Record Request – recordingrequest@tuscco.com Historical Copy Request – copyrequest@tuscco.com |
Phone: | 205-464-8206 |
Fees by Document Type
Real Property
- Per Page Charge (maximum of two (2) names for Grantor or Grantee): $3.00
- Probate Judge Fee per document: $2.00
- Total for basic one-page document (lien, assignment, judgment, release): $5.00
- Additional Names : $1.00 per name
- Additional book and page references: $1.00 each
Deed Tax
- In addition to basic document charges, add $.50 per $500 or $1.00 per thousand on value of property conveyed – charged in increments of $500. The amount of value conveyed is always rounded up to the next $500 if $0.01 more.
- Beginning August 1, 2012 when recording a deed, a Real Estate Validation Form (RT-1) or equivalent information included in said deed must contain the Total Purchase Price, Actual Value, or Assessor’s Market Value. (see Code of Alabama, section 40-22-1). Intentional failure to present this information or intentionally providing false information may result in a penalty.
- Form RT-1 (Real Estate Sales Validation Form).
Mortgage Tax
- In addition to basic document charges, add $.15 per $100 or $1.50 per thousand charged in increments of $100. Mortgage amount is always rounded off up to the next $100 if $0.01 more.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings
- UCC – 1, UCC-3 (Continuation, Assignments and Amendments)
**Must be submitted in duplicate** - Recording Fee for 1 debtor: $20.00
- Each additional debtor: $1.00
- Per additional page(s) over 2: $2.00
- Cross-reference fee (if applicable): $2.00
- For non-standard forms: $5.00
- Mortgage tax: $.15 per $100 (rounded to next $100) on the amount of indebtedness; No mortgage tax is collected when UCC is filed as additional security for a mortgage and amount matches or on UCC-3 forms.
- UCC-3 Termination
- Probate Judge Fee: $2.00
- Probate Judge Fee: $2.00
Business Filing Update
Pursuant to Act 2020-73, effective January 1, 2021, all corporate filings will be filed directly through the Secretary of State’s Office and not through the county Probate Office. Corporate filings include formations, amendments, and dissolutions. For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s Business Services’ webpage.
*Copy charges of Business Entities made in the Judge of Probate office are $1.50 per page and the certification fee $5.00.
Other Recording Fees
- Military Discharges: No charge
- Delegation of Powers: Probate Judge Fee $2.00; Plus $3.00 per page
- Plats: $15.00 for 1st lot, $1.00 each additional lot; Plus $1.00 per Source of Title and $2.00 Probate Judge Fee
- Copy Charges (except Incorporations): $1.00 per page; $3.00 per document additional for certified copy
E-Recording
The Tuscaloosa County Office of Probate has added E-Recording of most deeds, mortgages, acceptable miscellaneous documents, liens, judgments, and UCC filings. This service allows customers under contract with companies to quickly record documents within minutes, eliminate check writing expenses and travel time.
For more information on how to use Simplifile and to create an account, click here.
E-Recording Support:
- Simplifile: (800) 460-5657
- CSC: (866) 652-0111 or erecording@cscglobal.com
Schedule of Fees
Documents
Below is a list of common documents from the Probate Department.
Contact Us Today!
Meet Ward D. Robertson, III, Tuscaloosa's Probate Judge
- 714 Greensboro Avenue, Room 121 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Post Office Box 20067 Tuscaloosa, AL 35402
- Main Line – Probate Court – 205-464-8204
- Main Line – Records and Recording – 205-464-8206
- Main Line – Mental Health Dept. – 205-464-8459
- Main Line – Elections – 205-464-8201
- Email – Probate Judge – probatejudge@tuscco.com
- Email – Probate Court - probatedept@tuscco.com
- Email – Mental Health – mentalhealth@tuscco.com
- Email – Recording Dept. - recordingrequest@tuscco.com
- Email – Records Dept. - copyrequest@tuscco.com