By CASSANDRA MICKENS / Associate Editor

COLUMBIANA — Electronic recording, or e-recording, is now available via the Shelby County Probate Office, allowing customers to record deeds, mortgages and other types of documents from the comfort of a computer.

The county has tapped Simplifile, a web-based e-recording service that allows title companies, banks, law offices, lien filers and other organizations to record documents in minutes, saving both time and money. Shelby County is the third Alabama county to offer Simplifile.

“It is always my goal to meet our citizens’ needs in a way that is convenient and economical to them,” Shelby County Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister said. “Our partnership with Simplifile will allow people to record documents in our recording department without having to drive to Columbiana or use the mail or other delivery service.”

In addition to processing documents electronically, recording fees and payments also are processed electronically through Simplifile’s service, eliminating the need for customers to write and mail checks to the county.

“Of course, our recording counter will remain open and we welcome the opportunity to help everyone that prefers to do their recording business in person or by mail,” Fuhrmeister said.

To start e-recording, customers need high-speed Internet access and a scanner to scan and upload documents for electronic submission.

“Submitting documents by mail or courier service for recording can often take several days or weeks in comparison to just a few minutes with e-recording,” said Simplifile president Paul Clifford in a news release. “Without question, having this technology available will bring countless benefits to both Shelby County and its recording customers, making it faster and easier than ever to record important public documents.”

For more information, call (205) 669-3710 or visit simplifile.com.