Ala. Code § 45-58-83.46: Special Recording Fees.

A special index fee of sixteen dollars ($16) shall be paid to the county, and collected by the judge of probate with respect to each real property instrument and each personal property instrument filed for record in the office of the judge of probate and for the recording of other instruments and documents in the probate office in the discretion of the governing body of the county. No instrument shall be recorded in the office of the judge of probate unless the special index fee of sixteen dollars ($16) is paid. The special index fee shall be in addition to all other fees, taxes, and other charges required by law for recording any real property instrument or personal property instrument, and for the recording of other instruments and documents in the office of the judge of probate in the discretion of the governing body of the county. All special index fees collected shall be deposited into the county treasury and credited to the account of a special fund to be expended as follows:

(1) Of the fee collected, seven dollars ($7) shall be designated for payment of installation costs, maintenance, and upgrades to electronic records systems utilized by the probate court and the costs as needed of additional equipment that may be added to the probate office from time to time . Any sums deposited or collected in excess of those needed for the purpose stated herein, in the sole discretion of the judge of probate, may be expended for the operations of the office of the judge of probate.

(2) Of the fee collected, three dollars ($3) shall be designated for the operating expenses of the Shelby County Legislative Delegation Constituents’ Office. The fund shall be managed by the chair of the Shelby County Legislative Delegation Office.

(3) Of the fees collected, six dollars ($6) shall be designated for the operation of mental health programs serving the county . One half of the total fee collected for mental health programs, three dollars ($3), shall be administered by the judge of probate in his or her sole discretion and one half of the total fee collected for mental health programs, three dollars ($3), shall be administered by the Shelby County Commission. The county commission funds shall be deposited into the county general fund and earmarked for the operation of mental health programs serving the county in accordance with this subpart.