Recorded documents in Alabama — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the Judge of Probate in each county.
What this page covers: Alabama recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the Judge of Probate in the county where the property is located. Many county judge of probates offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Alabama Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — Alabama Recorded Documents
The 5-Type Alabama Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Alabama Recorded Documents
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- www.sos.alabama.gov — Official Alabama Recorded Documents — State portal for Alabama recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Alabama Court Records →
- Alabama Criminal Records →
- Alabama Property Records →
- Alabama Vital Records →
- Alabama Voter Records →
- Alabama Wants & Warrants →
- Alabama Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
10 official Alabama recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Alabama Counties
67 Alabama counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Alabama?▼
In Alabama, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Alabama Recorded Documents at www.sos.alabama.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Alabama?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Alabama Recorded Documents at www.sos.alabama.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Alabama recorded documents available online?▼
Most Alabama countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Alabama Recorded Documents at www.sos.alabama.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of an Alabama recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Alabama Recorded Documents (www.sos.alabama.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Alabama?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Alabama are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Alabama Recorded Documents at www.sos.alabama.gov publishes the statewide rules.