Ala. Code § 40-20-33
Such tax shall be payable by the grantee or grantees named or the beneficiary or real party in interest under such lease, deed, conveyance, transfer, assignment or other writing; except, that as to any exception or reservation creating any such interest the same shall be payable by the grantor or grantors in such instrument. Said tax shall be due and payable upon the filing of such instrument for record. Any probate judge who accepts or records such an instrument upon which the tax is not paid to him in the amount required herein shall be liable to the county for the amount of tax shown to have been due upon the instrument. The amount shall likewise constitute a lien upon the interest so conveyed, reserved or accepted by such instrument, collectible as are other delinquent taxes due the county. If an insufficient amount is paid by such tax, the filing and recording of the instrument shall nevertheless be good and valid for all purposes as now provided by statute and shall be a valid exemption from ad valorem taxes.
The probate judge shall collect the said tax, shall duly record the instrument and make the hereinafter required notation of tax payment.
Ala. Code § 40-20-33 (1975)