![How do I Obtain Alabama Land Property Titles?](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/300x300/photos.demandstudios.com/20/133/fotolia_5666346_XS.jpg)
Regardless of which state you own property in, you will need to make sure that you have the property title that recognizes your right of ownership. The title or deed obtained by the property owner effectively acts as a safeguard against competing claims to the land in question. Without this document, it can become quite difficult to effectively prove that your ownership of the land in question is legitimate, irrespective of when or how you paid for it. In the state of Alabama, you can obtain your property title by visiting the courthouse in which your land is located. These courthouses contain all of the relevant Alabama deeds and records related to the property in question.
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If you are attempting to find a record for a pre-existing deed, you can search for it through your local county clerk's office. Creating a deed for a property you have recently purchased is also a relatively straightforward process, particularly if you use the guidelines established by the state government.
The Basics of Property Title Deeds
When you purchase a home, you will likely be required to file the deed or title to the property at the clerk's office in the county where you live. In the state of Alabama, these deeds are often kept in what is commonly referred to as a deed book. Here, a variety of pertinent information about the deed is stored, including the name of the property owner, the address of the property in question or the parcel number for the land.
This information becomes particularly useful if you are attempting to look up a different deed. For example, if you are hoping to learn more about the ownership of a parcel of land near to you, you can use this same information to locate it. Given the fact that deeds are considered a matter of public record, there is virtually no limit to what information can be sourced about property ownership within reason.
Obtaining More Information
If you have decided that you would like to receive a copy of a specific deed, all you need to do is visit the clerk's office in the appropriate county and request the deed using any or all of the data parameters listed previously, For example, if you have the address for a property whose deed you would like to review, simply provide the address to the clerk and they should be able to locate this information for you.
Keep in mind, however, that just because these documents are a matter of public record does not mean that you will be able to obtain a copy of them for free. You may be required to pay a small fee in order to obtain a copy of the deed you have requested.
Creating a Property Title Deed
In the event that you are seeking to create a title or deed for a property that you have purchased rather than searching for records of ownership, you can also do this quite easily. In fact, the website for your specific county clerk's office should include a variety of regulations and guidelines related to the creation of a legally recognized property deed. It is in your best interest to follow these parameters as closely as possible in order to ensure that your final document is accepted by the clerk's office.
References
- Legal Dictionary: Title
- Law Library: Deed-Recording
- Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. "What Are the Advantages of a Living Trust?" Accessed May 15, 2020.
- AARP. "Transfer on Death Deed (TODD)," Page 1. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Alaska Court System. "Transfer on Death Deed - What Does the Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed Do?" Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Alaska Court System. "Transfer on Death Deed - Do I Have to File the TOD Deed in Court?" Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Alaska Court System. "Transfer on Death Deed - How Do I Revoke the TOD Deed After It Is Recorded?" Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Estate and Gift Taxes." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- FindLaw. "Transfer on Death Tax Implications." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Alaska Court System. "Transfer on Death Deed." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Arizona State Legislature. "33-405. Beneficiary Deeds; Recording; Definitions." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- FindLaw. "Arkansas Code Title 18. Property § 18-12-608. Beneficiary Deeds--Terms--Recording Required." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Sacramento County Public Law Library & Civil Self Help Center. "Transfer on Death (TOD) Deeds," Page 1. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Colorado General Assembly. "Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries," Pages 1-2. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- District of Colombia, Office of Tax and Revenue. "Revocable Transfer-on-Death Deed," Pages 1-3. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Hawaii State Legislature. "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Illinois General Assembly. "(755 ILCS 27/) Illinois Residential Real Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- FindLaw. "Indiana Code Title 32. Property § 32-17-14-11." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Kansas Legislative Sessions. "Article 35 - Transfer-on-Death." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes. "507.071 Transfer on Death Deeds." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes. "461.025. Deeds Effective on Death of Owner — Recording, Effect." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Montana Code Annotated 2019. "72-6-415. Optional Form of Transfer on Death Deed." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Nebraska Legislature. "Nebraska Revised Statute 76-3402." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Nevada Legislature. "NRS 111.771 Property Held in Beneficiary Form; Registration in Beneficiary Form; Transfer-on-Death Directions." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- State Bar of New Mexico. "Transfer on Death Deed," Pages 1-2. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- North Dakota Legislative Branch. "Chapter 30.1-32.1 Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," Pages 1-3. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Ohio Laws and Rules. "5302.23 Designating Transfer on Death Beneficiary." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Oklahoma Tax Commission. "'Non-Testamentary Transfer–on-Death-Deed’. Title 58, §1251-§1258. Eff. Nov. 1, 2008," Pages 1-7. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Oregon State Legislature. "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- South Dakota Legislature. "Part 4. Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act - 29A-6-403." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Texas Constitution and Statutes. "Texas Real Property Transfer on Death Act." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Virginia General Assembly. "§ 64.2-635. Optional Form of Transfer on Death Deed." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Washington State Legislature. "Chapter 64.80 RCW Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- West Virginia Legislature. "Chapter 36. Estates and Property." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Wisconsin State Legislature. "705.15 Nonprobate Transfer of Real Property on Death." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- State of Wyoming Legislature. "HB0201 - Transfer on Death Deed." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Gibbs Law Office. "Using a Lady Bird Deed in Florida [Overview, Pros and Cons]." Accessed May 15, 2020.
- State Bar of Michigan. "Ladybird Deed," Pages 31-32. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Sacramento County Public Law Library & Civil Self Help Center. "Transfer on Death (TOD) Deeds," Page 3. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Sacramento County Public Law Library & Civil Self Help Center. "Transfer on Death (TOD) Deeds," Page 5. Accessed May 15, 2020.
- Sacramento County Public Law Library & Civil Self Help Center. "Transfer on Death (TOD) Deeds," Page 4. Accessed May 15, 2020.
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Ryan Cockerham is a nationally recognized author specializing in all things innovation, business and creativity. His work has served the business, nonprofit and political community. Ryan's work has been featured at Zacks Investment Research, SFGate Home Guides, Bloomberg, HuffPost and more.