AL HB520

Amends Act 98-646 to authorize the Mobile County judge of probate to impose a special recording fee between $2 and $5 per document recorded or filed (previously $2).

Special recording fees are collected on real or personal property, uniform commercial code, judicial, or other instruments recorded in probate court and must be deposited in a county depository as designated by the county governing body.

Allows the judge of probate to retain and archive court records using optical disks, computerized methods, or any combination thereof, and permits discontinuation of microfilm in favor of digitized or scanned images.

Records archived using computerized methods constitute official court records that may be compiled, certified, and sold to the public in accordance with applicable statutes, with funds paid to the county general fund.

Any fee increase above $2 per instrument expires ten years from the effective date of this act.