AnalysisAlabama becomes the twenty-second state to enact the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (URPERA), giving probate judges permission to electronically record electronic real property deeds, mortgages, releases and other documents affecting title to real property. The Act creates an Electronic Recording Commission comprised of 6 probate judges and several other members as specified by the statute. In Alabama, judges of probate are the "county recorders" who record real property documents. Alabama's Electronic Recording Commission is unique among other states that have opted to create a special commission to publish standards for e-recording in that its Commission is not comprised of a majority of recording officials, as in the version of the URPERA originally published by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. This Commission also lacks a representative of Notaries. The Secretary of State is not a named member of this Commission as in many other states. The Secretary's only role in the URPERA is to "immediately implement the standards adopted by the Electronic Recording Commission without change" (Section 5).
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