§35-4-90. Conveyances of real property generally.

(a) All conveyances of real property, deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust or instruments in the nature of mortgages to secure any debts are inoperative and void as to purchasers for a valuable consideration, mortgagees and judgment creditors without notice, unless the same have been recorded before the accrual of the right of such purchasers, mortgagees or judgment creditors.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section includes absolute conveyances of real property defeasible by a defeasance or other instrument, in which case such defeasance or instrument must be recorded, according to its character, within the time limited in subsection (a) of this section or it is void as to purchasers for a valuable consideration, mortgagees and judgment creditors of the original grantee without notice.

(Code 1852, §§1287-1289; Code 1867, §§1557-1559; Code 1876, §§2166-2168; Code 1886, §§1810-1812; Code 1896, §§1005-1007; Code 1907, §§3383, 3384; Code 1923, §§6887, 6888; Code 1940, T. 47, §§120, 121.)